Those who have followed my travels this year will know that whenever I get the chance, Eedris (my fur kid) will not be left behind on weekend trips within Malaysia, especially when there are pet-friendly hotels in Penang like Noordin Mews !
It was the last weekend before the Malaysia Day Weekend, it was the end of the ice hockey season in Malaysia and it was the last weekend to beat the Malaysia Day public holiday rush hour. The occasion had lots of lasts and truth be told, I needed the break and Eedris could use some time outside of our home in Kuala Lumpur.
Of course, this trip had an occasion and it is in fact a team weekend trip with my friends from ice hockey – adult style. We had just finished the hockey season after playing since February and it only made sense to get away for one weekend!
We all decided that this would be a great opportunity to hang out and do other things besides hockey. Given that this team trip was ‘adult style’, I took it upon myself to book a pet-friendly stay. Cue Noordin Mews.
This boutique heritage hotel is one of the few stays in Penang that is pet-friendly and here’s why I love Noordin Mews.
Noordin Mews was a 1920 peranakan Shophouse
Today Noordin Mews is a boutique heritage hotel located in the heart of George Town, Penang, also known as UNESCO World Heritage site.
Trishaws, hand carts and horses – these modes of transportation were once a part of this working-class neighbourhood known as the Seven Streets Precinct. Noordin Mews as you may have already figured sits on Noordin Street which only came into existence in the 19th century. It was also when George Town was expanding south past the Prangin canal which eventually became known as the Seven Streets Precinct (Chit Tiau Lor).
As you arrive on Noordin Street, you’ll notice Straits Chinese-Eclectic Style double-storey terrace houses that were built in the 1930s. Many of these buildings had a clan association and are mostly catering to the middle-class Chinese. Today these buildings have been converted into cafes and hostels while some – like Noordin Mews, have been converted to a pet-friendly boutique heritage hotel.
As I enter Noordin Mews, I was immediately greeted with classic symmetrical floor tiles, ornate archway carvings and framed photos from the 1900s decorating the walls. On the first entry into the garden and swimming pool, I noticed rooms with windows that looked like barn shutters but we were told that each room on the ground floor was once horse stables and that the white hooks beside each shutter were saddle hooks.
Airy Retro Rooms with 1950s Shanghai-style decor
Ok, besides the fact that I was essentially going back in time when I stay here, I also got a room that is purposefully restored to to make it as pet friendly as possible. This is so the room can withstand Eedris’s zoomie, chewing and scratching habits. The bed frame for example is made of concrete, so the staff won’t have to worry about replacing furniture and fixtures. Eedris can be himself as much as he want to in the room, and I won’t have to worry about forking out money to replace the hotel fixtures.
If you’re into terrazzo patterns like me, you’ll love the terrazzo floors in the rooms. Noordin Mews is an intimate place to stay. I say this because every room has an entrance and a window that provides a view of the swimming pool. You can hear other guests swimming and eating at their All-Day Cafe but you still get a sense of calmness and privacy when you shut your door and window.
In realising that today, I value a little bit of luxury when I travel, I appreciated that Noordin Mews has all the modern room features covered. You get WIFI, 32′ LCD tv (with Netflix), and you can also request an in-room foot and body massage.
Pet Meal Service is Available too!
That’s right, you have the option to pamper your pets too. Given that Eedris is a fairly picky eater and will only eat meals that he has pre-approved when he was a wee kitten, I did not request it. Although he did eat a complimentary cat treat that the hotel gifted him when we first arrived. 🤷🏻♀️
For RM 28 a night per pet, Eedris gets to stay with me. It’s a fair deal knowing that I don’t have to worry about placing him at a boarding facility in a tiny box space that cost about the same per night. Here Eedris was free to roam in the room and in the common area of the hotel as much as he pleased at any time of the day.
What I appreciated the most about this feature is that I can leave Eedris in the room when I’m exploring Penang which involves outdoor activities. When it was time for the hotel to clean the room while I was away, the staff made sure not to scare Eedris and to always be on the lookout for him.
Noordin Mews Feels like home
A warm and genuine hospitality. The level of service here is unlike I’ve ever experienced before and when staying here I get a sense that I’m being welcomed by another family. They take care of me, they made sure I have a comfortable stay and I can tell that the staff is genuinely in my service and not doing things just because they work there. The team is what makes Noordin Mews an excellent heritage hotel.
A special mention to Eve, Belinda and Nic for keeping it together at Noordin Mews.
And just like that my 4 days, 3 nights stay in Penang with Eedris ended. It was a much-needed break away from work and if I had more time I would have stayed longer. If I ever do come to Penang again, Noordin Mews will be at the top of my mind.