The Eastern & Oriental Hotel stands on Lebuh Farquhar in George Town, Penang, facing the sea behind a seawall built in 1907. It was opened in 1885 by the Sarkies brothers, and the hotel says it has welcomed guests for more than 138 years. The suites are in two wings. The Heritage Wing, the original building, came back from a full restoration and refurbishment in December 2019 with its suites kept as they were, and the Victory Annexe, opened in 2013, rises on the site of the first Victory Annexe that Arshak Sarkies unveiled in 1923. The swimming pool beside the sea is kept for guests of the Heritage Wing and of the corner suites in the Victory Annexe. Dining runs from Palm Court, with Asian dishes, casual international plates and afternoon tea, to Java Tree for classic European cooking and Sarkies for a Malaysian and international buffet, with Planters Lounge and the Poolside Terrace for meals outdoors. Farquhar's Bar is a vintage cocktail bar looking over the waterfront. The hotel also keeps a tailor, a boutique and a hair salon.
Insider tip Ask for the Heritage Wing or a Victory Annexe corner suite, since only their guests may use the pool by the sea, and keep an afternoon for tea in Palm Court.
Why I choose it Penang's seafront hotel of 1885, opened by the Sarkies brothers and still serving afternoon tea in Palm Court.