10 Farquhar Street, George Town, Malaysia | (937) 315-4602
On the waterfront close to downtown attractions
Beautiful historic building from 1885
Suites with refined modern or restored classic decor
Opulent fine-dining restaurants and afternoon tea
Poolside bar and an old English pub with garden seating
Two large outdoor pools
Elegant event space and meeting rooms
Full-service spa
Fitness center with sauna and steam room
Free breakfast
Free Wi-Fi throughout
Service may not match the five-pearl rating
Not all rooms have sea views or balconies
The 100-room, historic Eastern & Oriental Hotel has been in operation since the height of the British Empire when George Town was an important harbor and trading hub. Known locally as the E&O, its colonial pedigree sets it apart from other five-pearl hotels, but it also has a fully modern all-suite addition with private balconies and rainfall showers. The doormen in white knee socks and pith helmets help sell the period experience, and it is one of Malaysia's top romantic spots, thanks to its rich atmosphere, two elegant pools, and fine dining.
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Scene
Restored historic hotel with a classic 2013 addition
Opened in 1885, the Eastern & Oriental Hotel's seafront promenade was once claimed to be "the longest of any hotel in the world." The beautiful promenade is still there today, with old shade trees that were there before the founding Sarkie brothers began construction (they would go on to open famed hotels The Raffles and The Strand as well). The E&O opened a second building with its own marble-clad reception in 2013, while the restored Heritage Wing retains its original Moorish minarets and wide domed lobby, staffed with doormen wearing British Colonial relics.
Location
On the waterfront near downtown
Right on the edge of downtown along a private stretch of waterfront, the hotel is close to dining, bazaars, and attractions within the city center, including the British Colonial architecture that awarded George Town as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tourist destinations like Fort Cornwallis, the Kapitan Keling Mosque, and the Penang State Museum are within walking distance. Penang International Airport is about a 30-minute drive to the southern end of the island.
Rooms
Large suites with classic or modern decor
Split between historic grandeur of the original Heritage Wing and the modern Victory Annexe that pays homage to the hotel's storied style, all the suites share a colonial ambience -- expect billowy white curtains and hardwood floors with colorful Oriental rugs. Not all rooms have sea views; some face the hotel's garden. The original suites have private balconies or terraces at the Premier Suite level and higher, while all of the newer suites in the Victory Annexe have balconies. Posh sitting areas have vanities and writing desks with flat-screen TVs. Free Wi-Fi comes standard along with laptop safes, minibars, and coffeemakers. The bathrooms vary from green marble to black and white tile, with rainfall showers and separate soaking tubs.
Features
Two outdoor pools, full spa, fitness center with sauna, great dining and bars with outdoor seating, and free breakfast
The hotel's signature restaurant is the aptly named 1885 (the year the building dates to), and is well-regarded for its candle-lit colonial style, fine dining, and afternoon tea. The more casual Sarkies has a sprawling buffet with international dishes and an attached coffee shop with outdoor seating, while Planters Lounge provides a relaxed environment (exclusively for hotel guests) where the free breakfast is served. Cooking classes are available to educate guests in the culinary traditions of Penang. For an education in English libations, Farquhar's bar is styled after a classic gentlemen's club centered around a long hunk of dark wood, with brighter seating in the garden outside. There are two outdoor pools, one for each building, both facing the sea. The infinity pool at the Victory Annexe also has a cocktail bar on its surrounding terrace.
For events, the hotel has six elegant meeting rooms and the old 400-capacity Grand Ballroom plays host to third generation (and counting) wedding parties. The E&O Gallery showcases cultural relics and historic objects as they relate to the area through the lens of this historic property, with guest-submitted items on display. The hotel also has a full-service spa and a 24-hour fitness center with a sauna, steam room, and yoga classes.
