Antique buildings of Chinese, Malay, Indian and Eurasian origin make up this 8 villa hotel listed by Condé Nast Traveller in their Hot List of 2009. For Malaysia this is a new concept of hotel where the villas can be rented as one, or as individual hotel rooms. Each building has, over its 70 to 110 year old history, created its own heart and soul. These houses are now the continuing story of the guests who live in them.

STRAITS CLUB HOUSE
This house originally called “ Bahagia” was from York Road in Penang. Built in the 1920s by a Eurasian family, it was then sold to a Malay family in the 1960s. It resembles an old colonial building with verandas and beautiful carvings on the high end of the walls to let the air flow through.
It now houses the resort reception, restaurant, bar, library and pool table. The wide verandas are perfect for reading a book or having a late lunch. The servant’s quarters at the back have been converted into the restaurant kitchen.

The Straits Club also houses the restaurant, library and bar. The restaurant serves a different set menu every night in the style of the house. Dining can be communal or individual within the Club or candlelit around the pool.

CHINESE HOUSE
Viewed from the pool, this house is magnificent. Built by a Chinese family in Batu Pahat, Johor and located close to Singapore, this house has been relocated from the furthest distance. This was originally a farmhouse and built approximately 100 years ago. Some of the design is thought to have Taiwanese influence. One suite is located upstairs and another is downstairs. Both have large verandas and wonderful views of the mountains.

The decoration of both is very opulent and in Chinese colours of red and black which contrasts with the simple wood walls.

PENANG HOUSE
Originally situated next to busy Gurney drive in Penang, this house was built in the early 1930s by a Chinese contractor and was very typical of its time. The original exterior colour has been kept as is with the two entrances. The interiors are painted white with turquoise shutters and touches of raspberry and lime green.

BLACK & WHITE HOUSE
This beautiful Malay House was built in the 1940s in Mantin in the state of Negri Sembilan, south of Kuala Lumpur. It’s a complete house with a living and dining area, and a great outdoor porch, perfect for writing that book. The coloured glass windows in the living room are exquisite when contrasted with its original black and white colour scheme.

COLONIAL HOUSE
This very large, stately house came from Georgetown, Penang. Built by Arab goldsmith traders in the 1920s, it is now the ultimate party house for five sets of friends or a large family. A huge living space with bar, dining table for 10 and lots of lounge spaces, combined with two bedrooms downstairs and three upstairs, making it a perfect space for a private venue.

ESTATE
The Estate was originally situated 25 minutes from Ipoh in Pasah Puteh, halfway between Kuala Lumpur and Penang. Built in the 1940s this building was a long house for Indian workers on a rubber estate. The style is very typical of Estate workers housing throughout Malaysia. It has converted superbly into 5 hotel rooms. The all-white painted interiors contrast with the thick wooden beams of the roof. Each room is totally different in furniture, antiques and decoration

Temple Tree at Bon Ton
Pantai Cenang, Langkawi.
07000, Malaysia
T: +604 955 1688 / 3643  
F: +604 955 4791
E: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
W: www.templetree.com.my

Images courtesy of Bon Ton Resorts