The E&O Hotel was definitely the highlight of my trip to Malaysia! Highly recommended! This 140-year-old heritage hotel is one of the world's three grand old hotels. Its architecture boasts strong British colonial characteristics, and the interiors are incredibly luxurious, adorned with numerous antique furnishings and artworks. Many world-renowned figures have stayed here. Every corner offers a picturesque photo opportunity, no filters needed! I recommend staying in the Legacy Wing to enjoy more exclusive hotel perks, such as the benefits listed in the last picture that we enjoyed during our three-day stay (the hotel even complimentary a bottle of nice red wine!).
Exploring the hotel itself each day was a delight, saving us from having to venture out in the scorching sun to find attractions. Three days wasn't nearly enough. The staff were all wonderful, and the hotel guests included many elderly Caucasian tourists from Europe and America, as well as many Chinese travelers like us, visiting during Golden Week. The staff were always smiling and treated everyone equally, regardless of their nationality. The breakfast selection was extensive; we tried breakfast at three different restaurants, each with its own unique charm, accompanied by beautiful scenery and antique furniture – very satisfying! 👍 The hotel has two pools: one on the ground floor by the sea, and another infinity pool on the 6th floor. Both are stunning. There were often many Chinese women taking photos by the pool, but not actually swimming, which left me plenty of space. I even learned how to breaststroke in just three days, haha!
The hotel is located in George Town, surrounded by the old colonial buildings of the old quarter, which are definitely worth seeing. Nearby attractions include the Pinang Peranakan Mansion (also known as the Nyonya Museum) and the Clan Jetties. If you're going to Penang, you absolutely must stay at this hotel!
- snowcat
I came here for the super beautiful pool and the lovely decor of the Heritage Wing. I really love the style. The mini-bar and complimentary wine were a nice touch, and the sea-facing view was great for photos. However, breakfast wasn't as lavish as I'd heard. Besides the typical Western options, there was also char kway teow, which is supposedly the best in Penang, but I found it just okay. Since it's a century-old hotel, the facilities are quite old and a bit inconvenient; the fridge was broken and they had to send someone to fix it. Also, the concierge messed up my luggage and sent it to the wrong floor, almost losing it... Plus, walking around the hotel at night was definitely eerie. It was quiet, and combined with the old decor and black-and-white photos of famous people, it was a bit spooky, but I didn't feel anything... I slept very well.
- Darongrong