Thirty-five floors above Northam Road, Penang's historic Millionaires' Row, the new Marriott Autograph Collection hotel The Millen offers a unique perspective on the island's past and future. The hotel, which officially opened at the end of September, occupies floors 24 to 38 of the Northam Tower, providing stunning views of the Straits Sea, Penang Hill, and the surrounding cityscape.
The Millen is the first Autograph Collection hotel on Penang and the third in Malaysia. The brand's requirement is that each property leaves a sharp impression, and The Millen achieves this through a design that honors heritage while embracing modernity. A fountain with steel elements inspired by Peranakan architecture greets guests outside, echoing the showy fountains installed by tycoons a century ago.
The hotel's interiors blend colonial cues with contemporary materials. Guest rooms feature dark wood, white marble, and black steel-framed mirrors, with details like bedside lantern-style lamps and a tea station that riffs on a Peranakan dresser. Artworks, including a woodpecker painting by Frankie Lim and an iron horse sculpture by Aboud Fares, add local character.
The ground-floor lobby houses Good Society Cafe, which includes a tea nook modeled after alcoves in wealthy Penang homes. Coffee is sourced from Constant Gardener, a popular George Town cafe. The hotel also offers a saltwater pool and gym on the ninth floor, with views of colonial buildings and the sea.
