Eastern And Oriental Hotel

We stayed at the E&O in February 2006. Some words of adivice : If you want to stay in a beach resort and are looking for sand and sun definitely don`t go here ! If you are fascinated about staying in a real Grand Hotel inmidst the unique city of Georgetown :THIS IS YOUR HOTEL ! The E&O is so different from most of the hotels we stayed on many trips worldwide.Mainly you expect a decent room, good service and location and a reasonable rate. Here everything is so different: The suites ( there are suites only ) are really big, perfect
interior design a la colonial style and opening the windows gives a grat seafront view.
We hired a trishaw right in front of the hotel for 2 1/2 hours ( 50 Ringitt / 12.5 € /15$ )and enjoyed the best sightseeing tour we ever had . Hop on and off in it´s real meaning.
The E&O is a hotel which is quite unique - Connaisseurs only .

Directions: Near the historic center of Georgetown

Our stay in Penang began with five nights at the Georgetown hotel known affectionately as the E&O. We were greeted with a refreshing sherbet drink and cold towels. The doorman and porters were dressed in colonial style British Raj attire and staff displayed delightful Malaysian hospitality. Our suite had polished wood floors and turkish rugs. The white wood framed windows have a view over the pool and sea. Rooms are furnished with high quality replica antiques.The Victorian bathroom was sumptuous, with deep bath and jacuzzi shower.
Guests are asked what they wish to have in their minibar and fresh milk is provided each day for coffee and tea. Internet use is free for guests at the business centre.
The hotel has been beautifully refurbished above and beyond its former glory, and there are many special features such as the enormous domed ceiling and chandeliers in the foyer and a massive Victorian staircase.
The hotel has a pool, gym and sauna but no beach access.
Sarkies restaurant offers a smorgasboard breakfast which it is a good idea to have included in the room tarriff. The breakfast buffet combines taste sensations from Japan, Malaysia, India, China and of course Western food cooked to order. The food was unbelievably delicious.
Farquars Bar is pleasant and drinks are reasonably priced. A cocktail costs about 18rn.
A distinct advantage of staying at the E & O is its very close proximity to China Town, Little India and superb hawker foods. The array of hawker foods available meant I did not have the opportunity to try fine dining at the 1885 restaurant.
The hotel was virtually fully booked while I was there and I only saw one child. I would say that it is not an ideal place for a child for more than a couple of days, because the ambience around the pool among the guests is quite tranquil, almost subdued and there were no open spaces where a child could run and make a noise.
I loved this hotel and would definately stay there again.

Unique Quality: Staying at the E & O makes you feel like you have been transported back to a bygone time. It adds a little something to the Penang experience to stay in a hotel that exudes colonial culture. A decided advantage to staying at the E & O would be the close proximity to Georgetown where it is possible to spend several days walking around with lots to see and you do not need any transport. After a long day shopping in Georgetown it was glorious to arrive back at the hotel for a swim in the pool and a long cold drink.

Directions: Downtown Georgetown in the cultural quarter.

Stately hotel by the sea. Long history and very well-known. Most expensive, but then, good things are seldom cheap.

Though the whole of Penang is one big bargain, E & O Hotel cannot be said to be one.

Unique Quality: Newly renovated, face-lifted. Same old good service.

If you're looking for a charming colonial hotel in Penang and don't mind paying a little more, this place has to be it. Unlike the touristy and characterless hotels that you find in Batu Ferringhi, the E and O has both history and charm. Everthing here brings back mind the past grandeur of the ol' times, the beautifully craved ceiling in the reception, the wood and gold pannelled bar lounge, the Engish tiled floor and the swimming pool area that overlooks the sea. Since it was built in 1885 by the Sarkies brothers, who also ran the legendary Raffles Hotel in Singapore, there are obvious similiarities in architecture and style.

Unique Quality: The pool next to the seawall is like a secret sanctuary in Georgetown, especially in the nightime when the lights have dimmed to a soft whisper and the sea is black. I can imagine Great-Gatsby typed parties held here, lots of liquour, gentlemen in their black coats and bow ties and ladies in the feathers and long,loose dresses. I'm quite sure the Sarkies' brothers indulged in such parties over here...

Other nice qualities about this place:
1) Situated in the heart of the City, near the clubbing area;
2) Really nice toilets;
3) Good service, the staff are always impeccably decked in bow ties and pressed suits.

The lobby is like a palace and the rooms are 10 times bigger than the normal hotel ( standard rooms). For the first time I had to doubally confirm if this was a standard room or I had to pay more.

It was like living in a palace for a week.

Unique Quality: Internet connection and conveniently located in the city. Very helpful staff

Unique Quality: Just a quick walk down is 32, The Mansion - a fine dining establishment housed within a colonial mansion. This restaurant also boasts live jazz music and an extensive wine list.

Right opposite is The Garage, Penang's current hotspot for casual dining, clubbing, and specialty boutiques.

E&O is also within easy walking distance of Fort Cornwallis, the Penang State Museum, the Penang City Hall, and a myriad of temples, mosques, churches tucked within the nooks and crannies of Penang.

Eastern & Oriental Hotel or more fondly referred as E & O is one of the most famous hotel in Penang.

Unique Quality: Widely recognised for its old-world charm, while incorporating modern day facilities neccessary for the new millennium.

Directions: Farquhar Street.