#George and madcap lounge free

Traditional Peranakan cuisine and Indochinese classics fill the menu at the dapper Kebaya Dining Room (Stewart Lane) for a modern twist on Malaysian favourites, book in at Gen (68A Lebuh Presgrave). Have lunch alfresco at China House, a trio of timeworn buildings around a sunny courtyard, or slurp till your tongue’s content at 7 Village Noodle House (37 Lorong Abu Siti). For pastries and a brew, drop by the Black Kettle (105 Beach Street), or sample the artisan coffee at cafe-cum-roastery, Macallum Connoisseurs (1 Gat Lebuh Macallum). Sri Weld (21 Lebuh Pantai) and Goodall Food Court (Jalan Gottlieb, Taman Selamat) are two of the most esteemed, where you can dabble in local delicacies such as wan tan mee noodles and nasi lemak (a spicy coconut-milk-based rice dish served with anchovies). Make your first stop a food court – Penang is famous for them, and it’s a great excuse for a lunch-crawl. It’s around 5☌ cooler up there than sea-level too, if you fancy a break from the heat.

Take the funicular train to the 821m peak of Penang Hill, and you’ll be greeted by panoramic views over George Town and the Strait. Then immerse yourself in Chinatown and Little India, where colourful shophouses and spice markets are packed along the art-splayed streets. Continue your education at the Penang Tunnel Museum (39 Jalan Green Hall), which delves into the island’s murky history, from pre-Colonial times to air-raids in the Second World War. Start with a step back in time – The Blue Mansion (14 Leith Street) is an impeccably-preserved 19th-century merchant’s house, offering insightful tours every day.

#George and madcap lounge free

When you’re peckish or parched, drop by the free snack bar – complimentary wine and nibbles are also served from 6pm daily. Settle down in the sunshine by the pool, find a nook in the courtyard, or snooze in a shaded cabana. You don’t have to go far for a dose of George Town heritage – the hotel itself dates back to 1906, and the clued-up staff will happily give you the potted history.