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.
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.
Here are some aerial photos taken during sunrise with beautiful views of Georgetown.
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.
Thanks, I’m sure you will enjoy a stay at E&O, together with the historic Georgetown and good food of Penang.