The Edison George Town
Heritage boutique · George Town
Is The Edison George Town worth it?
The Edison is a boutique hotel in a restored 1906 mansion on Lebuh Leith, with 35 rooms, a courtyard pool and a contemporary monochrome style. It suits travellers who want modern rooms and a pool inside the heritage zone; for a more historic interior, Seven Terraces and the Blue Mansion across the street are the alternatives.
Area
George Town
Price
Premium · check current rates
Type
Heritage boutique
The Edison occupies a 1906 mansion on Lebuh Leith, across the street from the Blue Mansion. The 2016 restoration kept the marble floors, cast-iron columns and frescoes around the central courtyard, where the pool now sits among shaded cabanas. The 35 rooms are contemporary, with high ceilings and a monochrome palette.
The Edison George Town is a boutique hotel in a 1906 mansion at 15 Lebuh Leith, restored in 2016 with its marble floors and cast-iron columns kept. It has 35 rooms, in Deluxe, Deluxe Premium and Suite categories, in a contemporary monochrome style. The pool sits in a leafy courtyard with shaded cabanas, and The Lounge serves an all-day grab-and-go menu. Wi-Fi and parking are free.
Book this hotel
Check availability and rates
Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, VisitPenang may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps us keep this travel guide free and up to date. We only recommend services we trust and believe will enhance your Penang experience.
When Rates Rise
Mar-Jun
Best value — quieter crowds
Dec-Feb, school holidays
Book 4–6 weeks ahead
CNY, Thaipusam, George Town Festival
Book 2–3 months ahead
Pros & Cons
What we love
- A pool in a leafy courtyard with shaded cabanas
- Sophisticated monochrome aesthetic and curated art make it one of the chicest hotels in the city
- At 35 rooms, small enough to feel boutique
- On the same heritage street as the Blue Mansion — a prime Lebuh Leith address
Worth knowing
- The contemporary-minimalist design may feel cold compared to warmer Peranakan-style heritage hotels
- Premium pricing without the storied history of Seven Terraces or E&O
Amenities
Dining at The Edison George Town
Open for: dinner
2 minutes east on foot. The most convenient hawker centre for Edison guests — char kway teow, satay, prawn mee, and popiah under one roof. Best from 7pm when all stalls are running.
Nearby Landmarks
- attractionCheong Fatt Tze Blue Mansion3 min walk
- foodRed Garden Food Paradise2 min walk
- attractionPenang State Museum8 min walk
- attractionArmenian Street Street Art10 min walk
- transportKomtar Bus Terminal10 min walk
Getting Around from The Edison George Town
The Edison and the Blue Mansion are on the same street — 3 minutes apart. If you're not staying at the Blue Mansion, the daytime tours run every 11:30am and 2pm. Worth an hour for the architecture and history even as a day visitor.
Red Garden Food Paradise is 2 minutes south. Chulia Street hawker stalls are 8 minutes. Armenian Street murals are 10 minutes east. The Edison's Lebuh Leith position sits at a comfortable central point for heritage sightseeing on foot.
RM12–18 by Grab. One of the shorter trips to Penang Hill from the heritage zone. Go before 8:30am for the cable car — queues build quickly after 9am and waits of 45 minutes or more are common on weekends.
RM20–28 each way. The Edison has no beach — if a beach day is on the itinerary, Batu Ferringhi is the destination. Most guests allocate one full day for the beach and spend the rest exploring George Town.
Eat Like a Local: Food Within Walking Distance
The best food spots near The Edison George Town, all within a short walk.
Red Garden Food Paradise
$The Mugshot Cafe
$$China House
$$Sister Wan's Char Kway Teow
$Check-In Tips
- 1The Michelin Guide lists free, self-service and valet parking, so confirm which applies when you book. Lebuh Leith is a one-way street, so arriving by Grab is often easier than driving yourself.
How It Compares
Seven Terraces is a deeper heritage experience — Peranakan antiques, Kebaya restaurant, 18 suites, and a restoration that prioritises authenticity over design identity. The Edison is more contemporary in aesthetic, larger (35 rooms) and has a pool. Choose Seven Terraces for the most authentic boutique heritage stay; choose The Edison for modern luxury facilities in a heritage shell.
Blue Mansion is the more famous building (UNESCO Award, Crazy Rich Asians), but more variable as a hotel experience — room sizes differ, day visitors are present until 5pm. The Edison is a more consistent, polished hotel product. If the unique story of the building matters most, Blue Mansion wins; if consistent luxury matters most, The Edison is the better choice.
You Might Also Like
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Edison George Town good for couples?
Yes — it's one of the better couple-focused hotels in the George Town heritage zone. The courtyard pool, the curated art aesthetic, and the Lebuh Leith address (quieter than Armenian Street, more atmospheric than Penang Road) all suit a couple's trip well. The Blue Mansion is 3 minutes away for daytime heritage exploration.
Does The Edison George Town have a swimming pool?
Yes. The pool sits in a leafy central courtyard with shaded cabanas. It is a boutique-scale pool rather than a resort lap pool.
How does The Edison compare to the Blue Mansion next door?
They're on the same street (Lebuh Leith) but are fundamentally different hotel experiences. The Blue Mansion is a heritage attraction that also operates as a hotel — the building's story is the product, rooms vary in size, and day visitor tours run until 5pm. The Edison is a purpose-designed boutique hotel in a heritage shell — more consistent room quality, modern design, courtyard pool, and no day visitor traffic. If the Blue Mansion's UNESCO story is the reason you're coming to Penang, stay there; otherwise The Edison is a more reliable hotel experience.