I highly recommend The Frame Guesthouse in Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia to those on a minimalist journey or anyone considering this transformative lifestyle. It is one thing to declutter your closet and get rid of the items that no longer spark joy, but quite another to redo your whole house or an apartment and dispose of the furniture that you might actually miss later. So this is a perfect place to try on a minimalist interior and see if it is something that fits you. The Frame can accomodate both: backpackers traveling on a budget looking for a comfy bed in a dorm and more affluent travelers who prefer to rent a private room.
I am still undecided on the matter of being a total minimalist at home though. I absolutely enjoyed my stay at The Frame and my uber minimal room with two hanging lightbulbs and a mirror (basic necessities covered) but I am also a member of “The Eye Has To Travel” Diana Vreeland camp.
And to be totally honest my eye did travel. It traveled all over the concrete walls with its many shades of gray and small imperfections. It paused on the gorgeous view from my window, my own reflection in the mirror, a few pieces of furniture and the rustic wooden floors that are so delightful to walk on barefoot.
You realize you are somewhere special as soon as you enter the very spacious industrial style reception area with only a minimal desk, two comfy chairs, one medium Turkish carpet and a potted plant. Employees here are friendly and super chill. I don’t know how this place achieved such a good vibe but its presence is definitely tangible.
And like most of my favorite guesthouses, this one comes with a kitchen. A minimal one. Now, I don’t need to cook a three-course meal but I do want to be able to make a salad or have a mango for a late night snack. Ok, maybe an occasional baked potato slice cooked in the toaster is also on the menu to combat the munchies, but the point I’m am trying to make here is that having a kitchen is a very good thing. And this kitchen is definitely a noteworthy one. It’s simple, designed with functionality in mind and is very stylish.
The minimalist approach works in this space because of the richness of textures used in throughout the interior. Shelves in the kitchen and counter siding are made from wood and add dimension through its unevenness and warm colors. Paired with deep green tropical plants, a slick stainless steel sink and a neat row of cool light fixtures - this place is an amazing example of a minimalistic interior done right.
I booked my own room with a window at The Frame Guesthouse and it was totally worth every cent. Waking up to an incredible view of the Kapitan Keling Mosque and opening the ancient wooden shutters one by one to let the light in, felt very bohemian and like something I could get used to. I certainly took my time in the morning and stayed in bed for an extra hour to enjoy the space I found myself in. I’m looking forward to coming back to Penang and I guess we all know where I will be staying. I am on the road a lot these days and have seen quite a bunch of hostels and hotels, but I have to say The Frame Guesthouse is one of the gems I was lucky to discover along the way. If ever in Georgetown, Malaysia definitely give this place a try.
Also, check out The 80's Guesthouse and the Penang Old House, top-rated accomodations which are under the same management as The Frame and are located right in the heart of Georgetown on Love Lane Street. These two sister Hostels | Hotels are designed in the same industial minimalistic style and offer dorms (single or double beds) and private rooms. I personally love the vibe of The 80's Guesthouse: its retro decorated common area is very sociable and you can watch old classic movies on a flat screen while chilling on a cozy couch sipping something delicious.
