Our Verdict: Old-world charm with quirks, sweeping sea views and traffic noise
The Eastern & Oriental Hotel Penang (E&O to its friends) is a grand dame of the Straits. Steeped in colonial history and dripping in nostalgia, it’s the kind of place where you expect to find Hemingway at the bar scribbling notes in the corner. It is split into two wings: the stately Heritage Wing and the newer Victory Annexe. Each offers a different flavour of luxury, served with a side of sea breeze. Worth the stay? Read on.
In this review:
- Hotel Summary
- Location
- Check-in
- Our Room
- Facilities & Services
- Food and Beverage
- Check-out
- BG1 Verdict
Hotel Summary
Name: Eastern & Oriental Hotel Penang
Location: George Town, Penang, Malaysia
Hotel Class: ☆☆☆☆☆
Chain: Independent
Loyalty Programme: Not part of global loyalty programmes
Room Type: Corner Suite
Room: 806
Price bracket: ££££
Competing brands: The Prestige Hotel Penang, Macalister Mansion, Seven Terraces
Good for: Couples, history lovers, luxury travellers, heritage buffs
Location
Centrally located in George Town and hugging the seafront, the E&O sits where you want to be. It’s close to Chinatown, heritage sites, and street food adventures. Other attractions are only a short taxi ride away. But with great location comes… honking and noise. Being on a main road means you’re never far from the sound of traffic, even if the hotel does its best to cocoon you in calm.
Check-in
Here’s a tip: figure out your wing before you arrive. The Eastern & Oriental Hotel Penang has two receptions, one for the original Heritage Wing and one for the Victory Annexe. We got dropped off into the wrong one thinking they were the same, only to be politely redirected to the other wing. The two wings may share branding and beachfront real estate, but they offer quite different experiences. Once we got to the right desk, check-in was smooth and un-fussy. As we booked the Corner Suite, we got to use all the facilities across both wings.
Room
We stayed in a corner suite in the Victory Annexe, and on first impression, it looked like a dream. Expansive, elegantly furnished, with polished floors, a huge living area and bedroom, and a wraparound balcony with views of the sea. It’s impressively large and comfortable. A postcard setting, until you notice the details. The room was noticeably dusty, and the toilet door wouldn’t close properly. Not exactly what you’d expect from a place that once claimed to be the “Premier Hotel East of Suez.” Beautiful, yes. But lacked polish. It was still a good stay, with a huge bathroom and very comfortable bed.
Watch the full room tour on TikTok.
Facilities & Services
The E&O does many things well. Comfy beds and high-thread-count sheets are definitely among them. Although, fair warning: those crisp sheets are borderline stiff. You’ll either feel pampered or like you’re sleeping in a starch factory. The Victory Annexe has its own infinity pool, while the Heritage Wing has a more classic garden pool. Service was mixed. Room cleaning didn’t happen until after 1 pm and only when prompted. Our room service food tray lingered outside for more than 12 hours, which didn’t exactly scream five-star attentiveness.
We also made use of the gym, which was decently equipped with cardio machines, free weights, and resistance gear. It did the job but the air conditioning was minimal, making it feel like working out in a sauna.
Bars & Dining
The options for dining at the Eastern & Oriental Hotel Penang are plentiful, ranging from the white-tablecloth elegance of Palm Court to the more laid-back Sarkies. Breakfast was good; with good variety, high quality, and plenty of space to linger over coffee. The sea views from the dining area give the morning an added touch of calm, especially if you can nab a window seat.
The evening canapes (happy hour) is much better in Cornwallis in the Heritage Wing – don’t bother going to the Planters Lounge for evening canapes; food options are minimal and crusty from being out too long.
Breakfast
Breakfast at the Eastern & Oriental Hotel Penang offers you a variety of settings and menus to suit different preferences. Depending on your room and mood, you can choose from the following venues – our favourite was Palm Court for its tranquil and lovely setting:
- Sarkies: Located in the Victory Annexe, Sarkies has an extensive international buffet. You can enjoy a wide array of options, including Western classics like eggs and pastries, as well as local Malaysian dishes such as nasi lemak and roti canai. The vibrant atmosphere and sea views make it a popular choice.
- Palm Court: Situated in the Heritage Wing, Palm Court offers a more tranquil setting with a continental breakfast selection. You can savour a variety of fruits, cereals, and pastries in a serene environment that reflects the hotel’s colonial charm.
- Planters Lounge: Exclusively available to those in the Victory Annexe, the Planters Lounge provides a quieter, more intimate breakfast experience. The menu includes a selection of continental dishes, and the lounge’s location offers panoramic views of the sea, enhancing the dining experience. Options were a little limited.
Check-out
Check-out was quick and uneventful. Although nobody asked how our stay was. Either they knew not to ask, or they missed a good chance to turn around the final impression. Still, no drama. No complaints.
BG1 Verdict
There’s a lot to love here: the history, the views, the location, and that irresistible sense of having stepped into a sepia-toned postcard. But like many grande dames, the Eastern & Oriental Hotel Penang shows signs of wear if you look too closely. Would we stay again? Yes. But next time we’d try the Heritage Wing instead. It costs more, but it looks and feels closer to the E&O legend.
Read more hotel reviews on our blog.
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