We noticed that you're using an unsupported browser. The Tripadvisor website may not display properly.We support the following browsers:
Windows: Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome. Mac: Safari.
Save
Share
10, Lebuh Farquhar, George Town, Penang Island 10200 Malaysia
Lowest prices for your stay
Booking.com
US$172
Fully refundable before Wed, 4 Oct
Hotels.com
Get rewarded with One Key
ZenHotels.com
US$170
Expedia.comUS$194
Priceline
AlgotelsUS$216
View all 15 deals
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
Traveller (6214)
360
Panoramas (21)
Room & Suite (1515)

About

#23 of 145 hotels in George Town
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Value
The Eastern & Oriental Hotel is the embodiment of both a special time and a special place. For well over a century, this remarkable hotel - known simply as 'The E&O' to generations of travellers - has stood as a testament to the grand elegance of the British colonial era. In many ways, it has also come to represent Penang itself; its story inextricably woven into the island's history, its traditions an indelible part of many a traveller's treasured memory, its name synonymous with the magical island once known as The Pearl Of the Orient.
Read more
Suggest edits to improve what we show.Improve this listing
Property amenities
Free parking
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Pool
Fitness Centre with Gym / Workout Room
Free breakfast
Bowling offsite
Children's television networks
Kids pool
Valet parking
Wifi
Hot bath
Pool / beach towels
Infinity pool
Pool with view
Outdoor pool
Fitness / spa changing rooms
Bar / lounge
Coffee shop
Restaurant
Breakfast available
Breakfast buffet
Breakfast in the room
Complimentary Instant Coffee
Complimentary tea
Complimentary welcome drink
Outdoor dining area
Snack bar
Special diet menus
Wine / champagne
Poolside bar
Highchairs available
Airport transportation
Shuttle bus service
Taxi service
Business Centre with Internet Access
Conference facilities
Banquet room
Meeting rooms
Photo copier / fax In business centre
Spa
Couples massage
Facial treatments
Foot bath
Foot massage
Full body massage
Head massage
Massage
Neck massage
Salon
24-hour security
Baggage storage
Concierge
Currency exchange
Executive lounge access
Gift shop
Newspaper
Non-smoking hotel
Outdoor furniture
Sun deck
Sun loungers / beach chairs
Sun terrace
Sun umbrellas
Butler service
Doorperson
First aid kit
Umbrella
24-hour check-in
24-hour front desk
Dry cleaning
Laundry service
Ironing service
Shoeshine
Show more
Room features
Blackout curtains
Bathrobes
Air conditioning
Desk
Dining area
Coffee / tea maker
Flatscreen TV
Bidet
Housekeeping
Interconnected rooms available
Private balcony
Room service
Safe
Seating area
Sofa
Telephone
VIP room facilities
Wardrobe / wardrobe
Bottled water
Private bathrooms
Tile / marble floor
Wake-up service / alarm clock
Minibar
Refrigerator
Electric kettle
Walk-in shower
Bath / shower
Complimentary toiletries
Hair dryer
Show more
Room types
Ocean view
City view
Pool view
Bridal suite
Non-smoking rooms
Suites
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
HOTEL STYLE
Ocean View
Luxury
Languages Spoken
English, Chinese, Malay, Tamil
4969Reviews100Q+A100Room tips
Traveller rating
  • 3,236
  • 1,113
  • 370
  • 159
  • 92
Time of year
Traveller type
Language
  • More
Selected filters
  • Filter
  • English
Popular mentions
Sort by:
Most Recent
Paul B wrote a review Yesterday
Cannock, England, United Kingdom96 contributions57 helpful votes
+1
What a fantastic hotel,we stayed in the heritage Wing, rooms where very large. Just wished we had booked a extra few days .has we only booked 2 .our mistake .there's so much to do .and see . Just be careful of getting back to airport the roads are extremely busy.at one stage we didn't move for 10mins. But overall beautiful
Read more
Date of stay: September 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Share
AustralasianGal wrote a review 24 Sept
Sydney, Australia91 contributions96 helpful votes
I returned to the E&O for the first time in 5 years with some trepidation after reading reviews. I still think it's a great hotel with awesome breakfasts (especially the noodles, roti, nasi lemak) but for those who've stayed there in Before Times - there are some changes that to me looses a star. Most notably staying in the Victory Annexe, unless you have an expensive corner suite, you no longer get invited to the free happy hour, use the Heritage pool or get in house discounts (eg previously 10% off spa treatments). Basically you get less for your money now. This was disappointing, though happy hour drinks previously were crowded, and food and beverages rather disappointing. Unable to use the Heritage pool (or even continue walking along the waterfront as it's now blocked off) made the Annexe pool crowded and noisy at times with children, The spa treatment was still awesome, professional and relaxing, just more expensive. Our room was fine (yes a little older with dust bunnies behind the door) but generally clean with towels, coffee pods etc changed daily and staff very friendly. I loved waking up to the sound of the waves on the shore and an early morning espresso on the balcony. I did have a very odd experience with a. staff member from the restaurant by the Annexe pool one day. He was taking photos of me and my friend as we lounged by pool. I asked him to stop and he just grinned. That felt invasive and creepy, not what you expect from a top tier hotel. My friends who'd never stayed here before loved the E&O as much as I did on my first visit. I guess what you've never experienced previously, you can't miss.
Read more
Date of stay: August 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Share
kate d wrote a review 21 Sept
Birmingham, United Kingdom62 contributions71 helpful votes
Stayed 4 nights. 3 nights were excellent and 1 was awful. On arrival we were told our corner suite (modern with a large outdoor space) was being refurbished and so they had moved us to one of the writer’s suite - a beautiful suite but old style with no outdoor space. It was also over 1 of the main function rooms and there was a wedding on. We had 4 hours of heavy bass music through the floor which was frankly awful and spoiled our evening. We couldn’t sleep and it went on until just before 12. Particularly annoying as it wasn’t even the room we had booked. We managed to get moved to the room we had booked for 2 of our 4 nights. Apart from this awful first night the rest of our stay was excellent. We loved the corner suite and the fact you could use facilities in both parts of the hotel. We loved the evening canapés and cocktails - better than expected. Fabulous choice at breakfast. Fabulous location on the sea front with close proximity to the sights. The staff were all very polite and welcoming. Overall we loved it and would stay again but suggest if you are booking over a weekend you check the location of your room and the proximity to noise so your evening isn’t spoilt.
Read more
Date of stay: September 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Share
Lemazintransit wrote a review 5 Sept
Geelong & Bellarine, Australia162 contributions59 helpful votes
+1
It was a beautiful historic hotel with old world charm. We stayed in the heritage wing. Beautiful room with everything needed. Complimentary wine and mini bar. They had a great canapés drink meeting every evening, perfect setting to watch the sun set. Great central point for sightseeing. Both pools in the heritage wing and the new area are in a gorgeous setting. We loved the meals at the palm restaurant. We loved it and would recommend and definitely return.
Read more
Date of stay: August 2023Trip type: Travelled with friends
Room Tip: They had great maps at the reception desk, including the street art.
See more room tips
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Share
Loch N wrote a review 3 Sept
Selangor, Malaysia18 contributions2 helpful votes
Stayed 3 nights here to celebrate my birthday and it was amazing. The reception service was fast and good. The room service was amazing, our rooms were cleaned twice a day! The staffs were all so friendly. The buffet breakfast was really good. So many options to choose from. The hotel even gave me a slice of cake for my birthday.
Read more
Date of stay: September 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Share
Kirsty B wrote a review 2 Sept
Sydney, Australia5 contributions1 helpful vote
Overrated hotel - this is not 5 star We came here for 4 nights as part of an 8 night stay in Penang. We were completely underwhelmed by everything at this hotel. Reception staff lacklustre - I’d go as far as to say they aren’t happy in their roles. Food - although at first glance the menu looks interesting the problem is that every restaurant serves the same! Rooms - grubby, tired and in need of an overhaul! Plumbing was odd hot water coming out of cold tap if you used the hot water first! Bath leaked over floor… Dusty and dirty floors, rug on bedroom floor needed a shampoo! Musty and smelly to the point that even unworn clothes have needed to be washed now we are home! The saving grace for us was delightful staff in the level 6 restaurant- super helpful. Pool and Gym area were quite nice, gym is reasonably well appointed! We won’t be returning - car better places to go in George Town.
Read more
Date of stay: August 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip: Don’t stay here! It’s so disappointing! Stay somewhere else and pop down for a drink!
See more room tips
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Share
OnAir29609336441 wrote a review 2 Sept
2 contributions1 helpful vote
Filled with high expectations for this hotel but left very disappointed. I stayed at the Victory Annexe Wing on level 15 - the rooms were dated and in need of updating. Shower head was loose and not functioning well. To make matters worse, there was maintenance works being done at 2am. The noise was pretty loud and very disruptive, and I couldn't get back to sleep. Checked in with the front desk the next day but no one had any idea what was happening and answer was “we will ask the maintenance team to keep it down”. This is not acceptable and I would not recommend this hotel to anyone.
Read more
Date of stay: August 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Share
jwb1011 wrote a review Aug 2023
St. Petersburg, Florida237 contributions200 helpful votes
Staying at this hotel was a nightmare from start to finish. To begin with, I did not receive the room I booked. I was not told at time of booking, I was not told during the weeks leading up to my stay, and I was not told at check in that the room I booked was not going to be given to me. I am not sure what management was thinking, that I would just walk into the room and unpack and not notice? I was to have a king room and got a room with two beds, and their solution was to push the two beds together to make a king bed. Not acceptable. I made my reservation months in advance and the excuse given to me by management was “sorry we’re overbooked, we had a lot of last-minute bookings.” Ok fine, but why am I being punished for that? Why out of every guest staying at the hotel, was I single-handedly selected to be the one to be punished for their negligence? Couldn’t get an answer on that. Nor could I get an apology, management is aloof and not solutions-oriented. The main problem with pushing two beds together into one is that the antique switches on the wall are in the middle of the wall, so where you are supposed to rest your head are all of these metal switches protruding from the wall, which means it’s impossible to sit up in bed if you may like to read or watch TV, and you will smack your head against these switches while you try to sleep (which consequently also turn on the lights in the room). I have so many black and blue marks on my head from this insanity, I even had the manager come up to look at this problem, he just shrugged, no apology and no solution offered. Further to this, I will note the condition of the room is deplorable: scratched floors, beat up stained furniture, and the worse of it, crumbling plaster and peeling paint in the bathroom where mold is flourishing… not acceptable for a five star hotel. The balcony doors did not close properly so bugs come into the room constantly, especially at night as they are drawn to the light. This also further exacerbates the moisture problem and makes cooling the room difficult. There was a raucous party that night at the hotel which occurred in the ballroom directly underneath my room. Again, I was never informed of this prior, and when I complained, no solution offered… the party went on past midnight and the loud music shook my room to the core, making even the crystals on the chandelier rattle as it swung from the ceiling. Needless to say I was unable to rest or relax. The icing on the cake was my morning of departure. I called down to confirm the time of my airport transfer pick up, which after calling 4 times before someone answered the phone, I was told would be 11am. I called for a bellman at 10:30, 10:45, and 11, but no one ever came, so at 11:15 I was forced to haul all of my luggage myself. There were several other guests doing the same thing, we all remarked in the elevator what a disaster the service at this hotel was. Come down and no car. I am already 20 minutes late at this point, had to find a taxi on my own, load my own luggage again, management totally aloof, two staffers just standing there watching me struggle without offering assistance. I had had it at this point and went to the front desk to give the manager on duty a piece of my mind, he just rolled his eyes. Do yourself a favor and avoid this hotel at all costs. The best thing that could happen to this place would be to fire everyone or just tear the place down and start over. There are several other fine hotels in Penang with a similar historic atmosphere without the lackadaisical attitude and moldy smell. It is my hope that this hotel goes out of business, and I will do everything I can to hasten its demise, it’s that bad!
Read more
Date of stay: August 2023Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Share
Response from Alison Fraser, General Manager at Eastern & Oriental Hotel
Responded 4 weeks ago
Thankyou for your comments, which in my email to me yesterday I pointed out that I was very sorry you had some issues with your stay. I kindly offered one night refund as a gesture especially as you were disturbed due to the noise and also as we had not given you the exact bed configuration as you had booked. This I apologised for and said ultimately we had no excuses for this. I would like to note that two of my Managers did speak to you separately during your stay and tried to give some service recovery, including offering a room move, which you declined. I do understand it is inconvenient to unpack and pack again, but our efforts to make things right were genuine. We do hate to have guests leave feeling they havent enjoyed their stay and we always try to put things right. We do hope in the future you may decide to give us another chance as we would love to welcome you back Very best regards Management
Read more
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Michelle B wrote a review Aug 2023
Barry, United Kingdom3 contributions4 helpful votes
Once checked in to room 009 in the heritage wing we were blown away by our room. Excellent bathroom, 2 sinks, lovely bedroom lounge and terrace that opened onto the gardens looking to the sea. Then... we noticed that was very little room for luggage/cases. No soap/gel/shampoo for the bath, and although we were told the minibar was complimentary there was only really two cans of poor quality beer and no wine. As my wife doesn't drink beer it was hardly fair. It wasn't always restocked. Similarly neither were the coffee pods. The room was really good but should have been better. We went to the buffet breakfast and it was good, but service was shambolic, the cleanliness was poor and trying to get a coffee was difficult. As we stayed several nights we noted that the range of food hardly changed each morning. (the breakfast at the Double Tree Hilton in KL was much better) We also breakfasted at the Palm Court and this was much better and more relaxing. We used the Heritage Pool and this was lovely and relaxing, a nice glass of iced water from the staff was a nice touch, sometimes the staff refilled your glass when they saw it empty, some staff didn't. You could also pop into the Cornwallis for a coffee/soft drink but couldn't leave with your drink. There were also no snacks there at all. (contrast this to a similar lounge at the Centara Grand hotels in Thailand, they are all of a higher quality). We visited the Cornwallis for their cocktail hour each night. This is from 1800hrs to 1900hrs. This is nowhere near long enough. The canapes weren't that great, and the actual drinks were not quality. It was all a bit cheap. There was also no standard of dress. I expected something a lot classier. The staff were very friendly though. I used the gym most days and it was ok, no more, but decent enough. The location is good for walking into Georgetown. Download Grab and use that to get around. If we stayed in Georgetown again, I'm not sure we would stay here again sadly. ( We did contact the manager when we returned home giving appropriate praise and raising some other not so good issues. The reply, although prompt, was poor and would not encourage us to return). This hotel has an amazing history and reputation within Georgetown but needs to improve in several areas to warrant this. It should be sector -leading.
Read more
Date of stay: August 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
2 Helpful votes
Helpful
Share
Response from Alison Fraser, General Manager at Eastern & Oriental Hotel
Responded 4 weeks ago
Thankyou for your valuable comments. I believe I apologised sincerely by email to you and tried to offer some plausible explanation about Cornwallis, in particular. I am always sorry if our guests feel they do not wish to return as this is not our intention to upset anyone. I would be more than happy to personally look after your booking should you wish to come back, which we hope you do in the future Many thanks Management
Read more
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Boy seon wrote a review Aug 2023
1 contribution1 helpful vote
Bilik bersih , lobby cantik , makan sedap dan pemandang dri atas okk Harga bilik pun terjangkau dan service room very nice,toilet aslo cleaning and staff very friendly. Again i will can come again stay the hotels.
Read more
Date of stay: August 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Share
Previous
123456
PRICE RANGE
US$143 - US$229 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
eastern and oriental hotel, eastern oriental georgetown, eastern oriental hotel
LOCATION
MalaysiaPenangPenang IslandGeorge Town
NUMBER OF ROOMS
232
Is This Your Tripadvisor Listing?

Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.

Claim Your Listing

EASTERN & ORIENTAL HOTEL (R̶M̶ ̶1̶,̶3̶3̶5̶) RM 656: UPDATED 2023 Reviews, Price Comparison and 6,796 Photos (Penang) - Tripadvisor

Frequently Asked Questions about Eastern & Oriental Hotel
Which popular attractions are close to Eastern & Oriental Hotel?
Nearby attractions include Street Art in George Town (0.4 km), Cheong Fatt Tze - The Blue Mansion (0.2 km), and Penang Time Tunnel (0.4 km).
What are some of the property amenities at Eastern & Oriental Hotel?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, free breakfast, and a pool.
Which room amenities are available at Eastern & Oriental Hotel?
Top room amenities include a minibar, air conditioning, and a flat screen TV.
What food & drink options are available at Eastern & Oriental Hotel?
Guests can enjoy free breakfast, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge during their stay.
Is parking available at Eastern & Oriental Hotel?
Yes, free parking, a parking garage, and valet parking are available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to Eastern & Oriental Hotel?
Conveniently located restaurants include Indigo Restaurant at The Blue Mansion, Mews Cafe, and Kimpo Famous Roasted.
Are there opportunities to exercise at Eastern & Oriental Hotel?
Yes, guests have access to a pool, a fitness centre, and locker rooms available in the fitness centre during their stay.
Does Eastern & Oriental Hotel have an airport shuttle?
Yes, Eastern & Oriental Hotel offers an airport shuttle for guests. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details.
Does Eastern & Oriental Hotel have airport transportation?
Yes, Eastern & Oriental Hotel offers airport transportation for guests. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details.
Are any cleaning services offered at Eastern & Oriental Hotel?
Yes, dry cleaning and laundry service are offered to guests.
Does Eastern & Oriental Hotel offer any business services?
Yes, it conveniently offers a business centre, meeting rooms, and a banquet room.