When Eugene Tan and Rina Teoh opened The Edison George Town in 2016, the capital of Penang Island in Malaysia had yet to become the social media magnet it is today.
The quaint and charming city, which in 2008 was named a Unesco World Heritage site, has always been a top destination among travellers to Southeast Asia, but in recent years it’s been attracting a new cohort of visitors looking for that perfect Instagram post.
From the incredible variety of its food to its vibrant street art and long history influenced by all the different ethnicities that have called it home over the centuries – Chinese, Indians, Arabs, Malays and Europeans, among them – George Town is a melting pot and a wonderful place to get lost in.
Like many hotels in the heart of the city, The Edison is housed in a heritage building. Dating back to 1906, the Anglo-colonial structure, designed by architect David Nathaniel, was established as the residence of a wealthy Chinese tycoon, Yeo Wee Gark.
