Angelina Lazuardi on Preserving the Story of 1926 Heritage Hotel

Beyond architecture and interiors, how does 1926 Heritage Hotel translate its heritage into the actual guest experience? Are there particular spaces, details, stories or experiences that you hope guests discover during their stay?

Heritage should engage all the senses, not simply sight. Throughout the hotel, original works by Penang-born artist Koay Shao Peng offer a visual narrative of local culture, while collaborations such as The Heritage Collection by Daily Coffee and locally influenced dining concepts draw on Penang’s culinary identity.

One of my favourite experiences is much simpler: sitting on the upper-level verandah in the late afternoon with a local brew as the breeze moves through the building. That unhurried moment captures the sense of place we hope guests discover during their stay.

Penang has a very distinctive architectural and cultural identity. How does 1926 Heritage Hotel draw from its local context rather than simply presenting itself as another boutique heritage hotel?

Penang’s identity comes from its rich mix of cultures, craft and food. As part of The Unlimited Collection by Ascott, our approach centres on celebrating that local character.

Rather than relying on generic vintage décor, we draw directly from the island through local ingredients in our dining venues, works by Penang artists and a team who can share their own knowledge of the city. The hotel becomes a starting point from which guests can step outside and experience the neighbourhood’s living heritage for themselves.

Heritage can create a strong sense of place, but it also brings operational challenges. From a management perspective, what has been the biggest challenge in running a heritage property, and how have you turned that challenge into an advantage?

The biggest operational challenge is the individuality of the structure and the demands of ongoing conservation. In a 78-room heritage property composed of 24 link houses, no two rooms are completely identical in size, layout or character.

This naturally makes housekeeping and maintenance more complex than they would be in a conventional hotel building. At the same time, those variations give each room its own character. Guests may encounter a different experience each time they return, which becomes part of the appeal of staying in a heritage property.

What do you believe a heritage hotel needs to remain relevant to the next generation of travellers? Looking ahead, what is your vision for 1926 Heritage Hotel, and what would you like the property to be known for five or ten years from now?

The next generation of travellers values authenticity, sustainability and cultural connection. For heritage hotels, relevance comes from creating meaningful connections with the surrounding community and giving guests opportunities to engage with the culture of a place.

Five to ten years from now, I would like 1926 Heritage Hotel to be recognised as a benchmark for successful adaptive reuse in Malaysia. I envision it as a thriving cultural hub in Penang, where historic architecture, local art and contemporary hospitality continue to coexist naturally.