A Weekend of Self-care and Style at M Social Resort Penang
Penang prides
If you’re ever looking for a hotel that captures the lively spirit and personality of Penang Island, M Social Resort Penang is your answer. Located in the vibrant coastal suburb of Tanjung Bungah, George Town, the resort is the perfect retreat for travellers drawn to art, culture, and idyllic beach views. With its bright splashes of pink and hand-painted murals of vivid imagery, you instantly feel that warm and inviting signature Penang hospitality upon entering.
M Social Resort Penang is dedicated to celebrating the island that it inhabits, which is where The M Social Collective comes in. Designed to spotlight Penang’s homegrown talent while setting the stage for future experiences that go beyond hospitality, the collaboration with Mare and Doublewoot marks the beginning of a new platform for the M Social brand globally and is set to become an ongoing initiative across other M Social hotels around the world.
For the launch, the hotel welcomed guests and the local community to immerse themselves in a weekend of activations with Mare and Doublewoot—both founders hailing from the island—filled with style, self-care, and creativity.
Over two days, the resort transformed into a vibrant hub of fashion, beauty, and wellness—an experience that embodies the very spirit of M Social: a brand built on connection and community.
“M Social was designed for a new generation of travellers and locals who see hospitality as more than a place to stay. It’s about energy, culture, and belonging. The M Social Collective is a perfect expression of that vision: it creates opportunities to connect with inspiring people, discover new ideas, and celebrate the local creative spirit,” shared Carolyn Wishnowski, Vice President of Global Branding, Marketing and Loyalty for Millennium Hotels & Resorts.
Here’s what we got up to during our weekend at M Social Resort Penang with Mare and Doublewoot—and why you should book a hotel visit the next time you’re visiting the island.
Checking in
As a hotel situated in a coastal suburb, M Social Resort Penang promises stunning beachfront views from each of its 318 rooms and suites. Rest assured that you’ll wake up to breathtaking vistas of Penang’s northern coast every day as you take in the view from your balcony.
We stayed in the Social Cosy Room, a sophisticated 32 sqm haven perfect for comfort and relaxation. With its colourful pastel palette, sea views, and an abundance of natural light streaming through large sliding glass doors, the room was the perfect tranquil retreat to unwind, rejuvenate, and take on another day.
The special takeover with Mare also extended into our room as it was decked out with the brand’s signature products, with a vanity of beauty products in the bathroom and a kit of Mare’s haircare line in the lounge area. Because of this, we were able to further immerse ourselves in the brand in a more intimate and personal way.
We then made our way to Beast and Butterflies, the hotel’s main culinary destination serving up delectable Penang Peranakan flavours, shareable dishes, signature cocktails, and bountiful breakfast spreads.
Mare’s Pop-up Experience and Lifestyle Takeover
Penang-born entrepreneur Marion Caunter brought her lifestyle brand Mare home for the first time, creating a multi-sensory playground designed to refresh and inspire. Photo opportunities also littered the hotel grounds, from the poolside to the multiple activations across the hotel’s breezy lobby area.
Caunter is known for her luscious tresses, and what better way to discover the products behind her voluminous locks than at the Hair Refresh Station? Here, patrons misted themselves with Mare’s new hair and body mists for an immediate pick-me-up before heading to the braid bar for hair styling.
Then, there was the Sip & Soothe Station, where handcrafted Mare mocktails using the brand’s hair botanical beverage await—refreshing and zesty concoctions for those looking to improve their hair’s thickness and lustre. Further, guests could pen personal notes to themselves or loved ones at the Postcard Writing Station, inspired by Mare’s Postcards From Home collection.
Last but not least, guests could explore the Mare Mini Market, a bazaar-style station where visitors curated their own Mare travel kits, sampled bestsellers, and discovered new essentials.
“Bringing MARE to Penang for the first time was incredibly special,” said Caunter, founder of MARE. “We wanted to create meaningful rituals of calm and style that people could carry home with them.”
Celebrating Style with Doublewoot
First launched in 2005, Doublewoot is one of Malaysia’s most beloved homegrown fashion labels, known for its timeless and elegant silhouettes. As a proud Penang-based brand, Doubewoot was a fitting collaborator at The M Social Collective for resonating with the local community two decades on.
Doublewoot unveiled its latest collection in an exclusive showcase, featuring a styling session, a dazzling fashion show in the Social Hub, and a makeover segment that highlighted women of different body types.
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“Debuting this collection at M Social Resort Penang allowed us to connect with our community in such a personal way,” said Helen Tan, co-founder of Doublewoot. “It was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate fashion, community and the women who continue to inspire our journey.”
In Conversation With: Icons of Penang
The evening ended with an insightful panel discussion held at the pool bar’s Breezy Bites. Titled The Icons of Penang, the chat brought together both Caunter and Tan to discuss topics including female leadership, the power of storytelling in branding, how Penang shaped their upbringing, and the importance of collaboration and community.
Throughout the evening, guests got up close and personal with the pair as Caunter and Tan opened up about navigating the ever-shifting landscape of social media and business as mothers and women.
“Growing up in Penang gave me a sense of identity that still shapes how I create today,” said Caunter. “Collaboration and creativity have always been Penang’s strength—together, we can uplift and make a real impact,” added Tan.
The session was moderated by Wishnowski, who shared insights from her own leadership journey, as well as on the M Social brand’s DNA.
“The success of our first The M Social Collective reflects both the strength of local creativity and the appetite for new experiences. We are proud that M Social Resort Penang is the first property to bring this initiative to life, marking the beginning of its expansion to M Social hotels worldwide,” said Jasmine Keh, General Manager of M Social Resort Penang.
To find out more about M Social Resort Penang and make your reservations, visit here.
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