Beyond the Dot, Malaysia, The Eastern & Oriental - Old World Charm

Old World Charm at the Eastern & Oriental

I’ve visited the Eastern & Oriental Hotel (E&O) in Penang before but never stayed there. But, last year I got the chance to indulge in a couple of nights at E&O. While there are plenty of lodging options in Penang ranging from cozy homestays to luxury hotels, if you are looking for a taste of luxury while reminiscing the island’s colonial past, the E&O is the place to be.

The E&O is the sister hotel to the iconic Raffles Hotel in Singapore. Both hotels were built by the Sarkies brothers who hailed from Armenia. After the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869, travel from Europe to Asia was much easier, and with this came rich travelers and enterprising business men who looked to explore the exotic East for pleasure and riches. With the arrival of such affluent travelers there was a need for hotels which could cater to their comfort. The E&O was established in 1885 and Raffles Hotel was established a few years later in 1887 to cater to such affluent travelers.

Located in Penang’s capital of Georgetown, the E&O is built along the northern shores of the city. It’s central location also serves as a good base to explore Georgetown and Penang island. Amid the hustle and bustle of the city, the hotel itself is an oasis of tranquility. It is really nice to come back after a busy day of exploring Penang and then find yourself relaxing in quiet contentment listening to the lullaby of waves crashing onto the shore.

Located along the northern coast of Georgetown, you won’t miss the distinctive facade of the E&O Hotel.
The main lobby is graced with a large copula. If you stand under the copula and speak you can hear your voice echoing around the lobby. Sometimes you can hear someone speaking from the other side of the lobby. I wonder if the acoustics was meant to be like that or was it just something unexpected.
A corridor that leads to Farquhar’s Bar. An eclectic mix of antiquities, and various odds and ends line the sides of this corridor as you walk past beckoning you to explore further.
The E&O has hosted royalty, politicians, and travelers throughout its history. There is a photo wall along this corridor where you can view old photos of famous people who graced this hotel.
I was captivated by this abstract view of a stairwell and chandelier.
The E&O boasts one of the longest sea fronts of any hotel. You can find several old cannons from the past standing guard here.

The Heritage Wing is the place to stay if you want to experience history. This is reflected in the room decor and architecture. The newer Victory Annexe was completed in 2013 and boasts a tower block with unblocked views of the sea and city.

The view from the rooftop pool at the Victory Annexe with unobstructed views of the Straits of Malacca.
I chose to stay at the Heritage Wing. Choose the Deluxe suites if you want a sea view.
A replica antique writer’s desk with plenty of compartments and drawers for you to hide your stuff.
I liked the old world scalloped design of these light switches.
My suite had a small balcony where I could sit and enjoy the sea view.

Here are some aerial photos taken during sunrise with beautiful views of Georgetown.

  • Georgetown with the tallest skyscraper, Komtar standing in the center.
  • Top down view of E&O
  • Sunrise with the Malaysian peninsular in the background

Published by

Edwin Tan

Citizen of Earth.

2 thoughts on “Old World Charm at the Eastern & Oriental”

  1. Loved the opening video of your drone footage – what an amazing place. There is something special about the old colonial buildings that dot the globe… I find them fascinating. Years ago, I stayed at the Raffles Hotels in Cambodia and it is a taste of luxury. I also could not help but dream about the past history, from people who stayed at the hotels and of course the darker side of history which is also part of the colonial past. Wonderful introduction to the E&O, and with this, I have another place I hope to visit.

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