Resorts

Happy Hour Asia got the opportunity to review one of the practically brand new (due to the 200-2022 global travel disruption) Angana properties, namely Angsana Teluk Bahang in Penang (Malaysia), one of our fav destinations in Southeast Asia.

Angsana is a brand under Singaporean Banyan Tree Group with resorts (when it comes to our coverage area) in destinations such as Phuket in Thailand, Luang Prabang in Laos, in the Maldives, and in multiple places in Vietnam. Angsana Siem Reap, Cambodia will also open in 2024. There is also Angsana Heritage Collection of unique boutique properties. And just as with Angsana Laguna Phuket, the Penang resort is both adults- and family-friendly.

Angsana actually has something in common with Happy Hour Asia, as the brand ”lives for those special moments: those that invite you to pause, and fully sense the moment, in a momentary break from the rush of life”. Happy Hour Asia’s aspiration is ‘joie de vivre’, e.g. seeking cheerful enjoyment of life – happy hour – moments, while seeking quality and discerning experiences. It can be oments that awake different urges, such as an opportunity to practice the art of trying to do nothing at all!

So there is a lot of curiosity and excitement with the journey to this secluded beachfront five-star resort destination – on Penang proper, and away from buzzling city and even beyond well-known Batu Ferringhi!

Yes, going to Angsana will actually make you realise how large the island actually is, and that it has lots of forest interior that remains intact. So the trip to Angsana (from the international airport in the south) typicall passes through the developed area and the outskirts of George Town, and then snakes along the coastal road. There is also another, more western, road going in the north-south direction through less densely populated ares. Getting onto the island is via ferry or either of its two bridges.

Once reaching Teluk Bahang the beach faces north and the sun sets over the hills at the west end of the beach. The setting is un-crowded and peaceful. Beach-facing and flanked by high palm trees, Angsana Teluk Bahang turns out to consist in several connected high-rise buildings – and that actually have a residential feel (the hotel representative expalined that it had initially been planned as a residential property, before the decison was taken to make an Angsana out of it) with its balconies and design. So the owners have created a place for their guests to feel at home. The buildings’ dark brown facades and green-tinted glass windows blend nicely with the natural landscape dominated by the rainforest behind the resort. With nature at the doorstop there is also plenty of birdlife on the premises.

So far, Angsana practically has this beach for itself; shared only, further west, with fishermen, and an old neighbour resort about to be completely refurbished, and which will raise the status of Teluk Bahang even further in a good way. Regardless, Angsasna has a long stretch of beach practically for itself.

The arrival takes place through a wide outdoor entrance between two buildings, opening onto a wide platform that overlooks the sea and the resort pool and in-door lobby on the left. There, find striking designer furniture in the form of oversized, armchairs and and sofas with padding in neon colours: purple, lemon green and mustard yellow.

The lobby also has a souvenir shop and a bar with a white marble grey-veined counter, decorated with a brown latticework front, and heritage style bar stools with thick, light marine blue velvet cushions. Small decor ceiling lamps abov the bar are bundled in groups of 8.

On a blue backdrop wall an artwork depicting an Angsana Tree takes centrestage. It’s an interesting motif, ade out of metal and with many details. The angsana tree is a large hardwood native to the rainforests of Southeast Asia. This tree’s rare blooms arrive in a burst of gold that carpets the ground in a richness of flowers, their wild beauty and fragrance transforming the world around it for just one moment.

The infinite-edge swimming pool is more than adequately sized (50 metres long), featuring jacuzzi zones, purple curved in-water chairs, and a serviced sunbathing deck just outside the breakfast and all-day dining restaurant. At the pool’s far end sits an alfresco lounge zone with a plexi glass roof and some woodwork for shading. The pool is flanked by white table and chairs, and some grey parasols by white daybeds.

Wake-up swims will make you hungry as breakfast guest will be sitting on the terrace, while the blue mosaic-tiled is very appelaing for swims and play at dusk and sunset.

The gently-sloping sandy beach, meanwhile, also invites to a sunset stroll – for some to enter into romantic mode, for others to take oneself into that zone where calmness can settle in…

During the day, lounge under the shade-inducing paraslos, or soak up the sun at the pool deck or from the private balcony (though beware of the heat!)

As a resort fusing heritage with post-modern architecture Angsana Teluk Bahang is done up in Peranakan design mixed with modernity.

A visit to Penang without coming across the concepts ’Peranakan’ and ’Nyonya’ food is practially impossible and while you may as a guest have planned to mainly enjoy this on-the-beach haven, you are still in for a heritage treat, and would do yourself a disservice if not taking at least one excursion to nearby George Town’s heritage zone – listed since 2008 as a Unesco World Heritage Site!

Without going into detail too much (there are numerous opportunities to find out and learn more, where a visit to the Pinang Peranakan Mansion is well worth a visit for its architecture alone) Perankan was born from a fusion of Chinese, Malay and also Thai influences, mainly based on the former tin mining days. Chinese settlers immigrated into northern Malaysia and spread also to Indonesia, Malacca, Singapore and even Phuket.

Around the heritage area there are whole blocks with Peranakan homes in the form of shop houses with their unmistakable colourful and ornamental street front facades, also influenced by European architecture – some them derelict and up for sale.

And today many new hotels (new-builds as well as resorted ones) celebrate this culture in the form of architecture, interior design and cuisine –as in the example of Angsana (which is in that sense in line with the brand’s own Heritage Collection, which shines a light on rich cultural histories and aims to bring forth captivating connections to each breath-taking destination.

For the Peranakan features (found in the Jendela restaurant) Angsana commissioned internationally acclaimed designer Omar Khan – a Singaporean luxury rugs designer who is principally inspired by ancient symbols and historical motifs. In his design/art he interprets those and mixes in modern abstraction and contemporary colour palettes

His creative flair is here reflected in the form of large wall canvas prints, and a smaller one within a sunken horizontal section above the headboard.

These portray the familiar intriguing Peranakan porcelain motifs (pots and vases) and fabrics.

As for Omar Khan’s rugs, they are made from the finest materials with artisanal techniques. And such rugs are a very prominent as part of the intimate design and Peranakan-inspired décor within Angsana Teluk Bahang, Penang’s 235 sea view rooms and suites.

Given its initial residential plan, the resort comes with many suites and in this one the livingroom rug comes in vivid colours of green, dark blue grey and brown (alternatively wine red), along with furniture on top of its brown wood floor: a modern Peranakan roast-red glass-and-wood coffee table and sofas, and and an armchair upholstered in sparkling grey (alternatively beige). The walls have a suitable dark green-blue hue (alternatively purple-red), while some sections consist in black-tinted mirror walls: in the kitchenette and behind the wall TV. Blackout curtains are either in a pastel blue or wine red, with a yellow floor lamp in one corner.

Two ceiling lamps come with white metal and a round lantern tube their centre.

In the suite there’s also as wooden multi-functional dinner table/work desk with a tinted glass top and green curved chairs with black leather seats as well.

The bedroom comes with a more than ample sleeping area, furnished in bright wood wall panels, dark brown wooden flooring, and of course additional Peranakan ingredients: a carpet and a green able with glass top. A huge flat screen TV is mounted on a black tinted wall facing the bed.

Its open-style (with frosted glass slide walls) bathroom comes with, twin sinks on white-grey marble counters, a vanity, a built-in wardrobe and an inviting oversized bathtub. Green Peranakan décor tiles adorn a shelf beside the tub. The flooring and walls have a lovely sandy marble.

Slip into a bespoke bath robe, with one of Angsana’s siganture patterns, paired with adjoining slippers.

The balcony comes with a white table and sets with light blue, or pink cushions.

There are four types of suites to choose from, where the Angsana Two-Bedroom Sky Garden Seaview Suite offers has a penthouse configuration including its very own exclusive sky garden and outdoor jet tub with amazing seaview. The Angsana Two-Bedroom Pool Suite comes with a plunge pool.

The art of mixing self-discipline with self-indulgence can be practised by incorporating Angsana Spa and holistic indulgence during a stay! It has – deservedly – a great reputation, through its highly educated spa therapists through the Banyan Tree Spa Academy. It has its own Jasmin frangipani spa brand as well, available to purchase in the Angsana Gallery store. There are attractive packages; such as ’Angsana Spa Escape’, with a 90-minute Malay Massage, or the Spa Series, featuring 5 x 60 Min Full Body Massage for RM 1,250 (valued at RM 2,025).

Experiencing the ’Balinese Deep’ for hour was a clever muslce activation, resembling the baking of bread by the therapist with warm hands. Going deep meant it really gave a mark afterwards, which is always a sign of good quality.

The treatment rooms are amazing: dimly lit for top relaxation. The Spa corridor floor and wall panels come in a natural-toned light brown. And post massage guests get to enjoy an air-conditioned relaxation spa lounge, with – of course – a Peranakan carpet with a pattern resembling tree branches, vintage colonial style ceiling fans and four leather lounge chairs overlooking a lush, private frangipani spa garden with a fountain.. Warm tea is served in ceramic cups, and with a tea pot to refill, plus slices of apple. If visiting the spa towards the lafte afternoon sun ligt beams light up the room during the ’golden hour’.

The Signature tea set is for sale, with one unique leaf design placemat and one rattan basket at the Angsana Gallery.

A dedicate spa treatment can also be combined with high tea: the ’Spa Tea Party’, features a
60-minture massage session and rewarding tea for two at No. 11, which is a specialty restaurant serveing an array of sumptous grilled cuisine, cooked to perfection from its exhibition kitchen.

No. 11 also come with green walls and lovely oversized designer chairs in purple and silver, and – noteworthy – a tinted mirror ceiling! Its flooring is also interesing; with – aside grey-black Peranakan tiles – multi-colour faux-wood plank tiles that resemble weathered wood.

The ’No. 11 Angsana Afternoon Tea’ is also served there, overlooking the sea. Upon this review it features: Smoked beatroot cured salmon with dill-cream cheese & ikura, Truffle chicken & mushroom ragout in mini croissant – which is freshly baked, slightly warm! Also Spinach & cheese quiche (with something sweet on top!), Chocolate mousee with smoked sea salt, Rosemary pannacotta with cookies crumble, Mini red velvet cake, and of course the ubiquitous Plain & raisin scones with condiments. In Penang they know how to bake proper scones based on long tradition so will not dissapoint!

For tea, choose from Dilmah Teas & Herbal Infusion, such as Pure chamomile flower, Pure peppermint leaves, or Green tea jasmine flower.

By the time the afternoon tea is fully enjoyed – and all those sumptuous bites eaten – it is just about time for Happy Hour on the beach (with a generour three hours, 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm, to enjoy it) where the DJ/sound system-equipped Fire & Ice bar is ready to serve you! Enjoy refreshing beverages snacks by the beachfront and soak in the setting sun with various colours generated during the golden hour period.

Beachside three are black rattan tables, bar stools, outdoor chairs and orange parasols, while sunbeds and their parasols are beige, accented by orange towels. In addition there are uniquely designed latticework cabanas spread out on the sand, beside the bar’s platform, combined with young palm trees.

Even better; one can also enjoy happy hour by the main pool as alternative, served from Jendela, also 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm (which means there is actually time to enjoy both of them on the same day!) With a gorgeous seaview, these are laid-back moments where to enjoy of living life to the fullest.

Jendela – promising to serve local and regional favourites – also hosts the ’Angsana Buffet Dinner’, Friday – Saturday, with a ’From the Farm and under the Sea’ concept, as well ’Angsana Buffet Hi-Tea’ every Sunday, 12:30 pm – 3:30 pm.

Also in this restaurant there is another element of Peranakan: one wall is covered by a “mural” with heritage houses’ window frames and entranced doors and a colourful background with floral motifs. Along its wall there is a a brown and brown-padded wall sofa and dinner tables with brown tops.

Otherwise, the interior features latticework partition walls (also Peranakan) and wall screens in brown metal. Some large porcelain ceiling lamps in pastel hues of green, orange, peach and white above tables certainly also dominate what catches one’s eyes.

There are also Peranakan black-and-white floor tiles and dinner tables at good height with stark green or grey wooden chairs.

Enjoying dinner in this lovel setting the starter option falls on a Mezze Platter: A melange of Arabic delicacies consisting of hummus, baba ghanoush, tabbouleh and marinated olives, served with freshly baked flatbread. Yummy!

Alternatively, opt for soups, such as Harira soup – a fragrant tomato-based soup conconcted with sliced chicken, chickpeas, lentils, scented with cumin and topped with olive oil and chopped parsley!

To go with the food a Himalaya tea + local traditional tea are also recommended, with spices from ’Baba’ and ’Nyonya’

For the Grand Finale, the option falls on a truly impressive dessert: the Bourbon vanilla creme brulee!

And after a really good night’s sleep comes breakfast – here a celebration that includes the complimentary option of having sparkling wine (Angove Chalk Hill Blue, Australia) along with the food. Excellent! It goes down especially well with black olives, assorted cheese, nuts, cherry tomatoes and salads.

Enjoy the breakfast al fresco and opt for choices such as: Bircher muesli, Guavla juice, Spring rolls, Chicken porridge, Nasi Lemak, Mee Mamak and Roasted sweet potato!

In conclusion: In the search of the ultimate getaway your are entitled to a complimentary sparkling wine with the breakfast! It is standard of all-inclusive service that generates a ’happy hour’ monent. Furthermore, the Peranakan heritage design won’t dissapont, just as the secluded beach front will be a winner! When it’s time to celebrate life Angsana Teluk Bahang stands ready!