Eastern & Oriental Hotel

The Eastern & Oriental Hotel—known simply as “The E&O” to generations of travelers—stands as the grand dame of British colonial heritage hotels in the heart of Penang’s UNESCO-protected George Town. Touting a 125-year history, this luxurious, seafront all-suite hotel is for those who crave the nostalgic colonial Malaysia experience and refined golden age elegance that only seems to get better with time.

Property Details

The Eastern & Oriental Hotel boasts two separate wings, each with its own distinct character. The Heritage Wing, the hotel’s original 125-year old structure, invites guests to step back in time and soak in the colonial grandeur of elegant four-poster beds, spacious terraces and Andaman Sea views, opulent claw footed bathtubs, and E&O’s legendary butler service.

Highlights in the Eastern & Oriental Hotel’s Heritage Wing include the Writers Suite, where Coward, Kipling, and Hesse were all once guests, and the E&O Suite, the most luxuriously gilt accommodation in Southeast Asia. Sitting adjacent, the newly launched Victory Annexe promises an altogether more modern stay than its Heritage Wing sister, with its seafront, modern-classic design, French door-enclosed balconies, fully-equipped fitness center, and infinity pool amenities.

Mornings at the Eastern & Oriental Hotel are leisurely, with fresh baked pastries from the bakery or continental breakfasts on the promenade in full view of the sea. Six onsite restaurants offer a wide selection of flavors reflective of Penang’s culinary reputation. Consider elegant colonial-style Afternoon Tea at 1885, sundowners in the exclusive private club atmosphere of Farquhar’s Bar, the more casual coffee shop fare of Sarkie’s Corner, and signature cocktails on the Poolside Terrace.

Situated in the fascinating George Town district, the Eastern & Oriental Hotel is in prime walking distance to all of Penang’s finest food havens, shopping complexes, and entertainment outlets. From here, guests can browse the shops, bazaars, and restaurants for great bargains and delicious treats, and discover temples, mosques, and churches in quiet little corners of the city. Penang is a bustling metropolis that serves as a magnet for sun seekers, beach lovers, nature enthusiasts, and history buffs alike for its beautiful seaside setting and melding of tradition and progress.

Embodying its unique address and heritage, the Eastern & Oriental Hotel allows guests to indulge in a variety of “only in Penang” experiences, including special Malaysian cooking classes, complimentary yoga sessions, rejuvenating Thai-inspired treatments at the Pañpuri Organic Spa, and quiet moments amid the E&O Gallery and its experiential narrative through Penang and Malaysia’s rich history.