Eastern & Oriental Hotel

George Town

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Dating to 1885, the E&O is one of those rare hotels where historic opulence has gracefully moved into the present day. The suites in the original Heritage Wing seamlessly blend modern comfort with colonial-era style, using hardwood antiques and vintage-themed furnishings; those with a sea view are worth the extra outlay. Rooms in the more modern Victory Annexe are no less appealing.

The E&O was established by two of the Armenian Sarkies brothers, Tigram and Martin, who also founded the Raffles Hotel in Singapore. You can learn about them, their profligate brother Arshak, and many famous former guests at the E&O Gallery.

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

  • Door and blue wall, Penang, Malaysia

    Blue Mansion

    0.14 MILES

    The most photographed building in George Town, this magnificent 38-room, 220-window mansion was built in the 1880s and rescued from ruin in the 1990s…

  • Rainforest canopy walkway

    Penang National Park

    9.3 MILES

    At 23 sq km, this is Malaysia's smallest national park, but it's beach-fringed forests are home to silvered leaf monkeys, flying lemurs, leopard cats and…

  • Offerings before the Datuk Kong tree at the Tropical Spice Garden, Penang, Malaysia

    Tropical Spice Garden

    7.46 MILES

    Facing a beautiful white-sand beach on the 101 bus route, this beautifully landscaped oasis preserves 500 species of tropical flora, spread across 200…

  • Pinang Peranakan Mansion

    Pinang Peranakan Mansion

    0.54 MILES

    Lovingly restored, this ostentatious, mint-green structure was one of the most stunning private residences in George Town. Every door, wall and archway is…

  • Kek Lok Si Temple

    Kek Lok Si Temple

    4.6 MILES

    Malaysia's largest Buddhist temple is a colourful explosion of statues, pagodas and pavilions, cascading down a hillside in Air Itam, around 8km from the…

  • Khoo Kongsi

    Khoo Kongsi

    0.59 MILES

    The most spectacular clanhouse in George Town, Khoo Kongsi is an explosion of colour. Intricate ceramic mosaics of immortals, carp and dragons dance…

  • Kuan Yin Teng

    Kuan Yin Teng

    0.38 MILES

    Dedicated to Kuan Yin, goddess of mercy, this temple is the liveliest place of worship in George Town. The current temple was built in the early 19th…

  • The Habitat

    The Habitat

    4.64 MILES

    Bordering one of Penang's two virgin rainforest reserves, the spine of this fantastic addition to the Penang Hill experience is a finely crafted 1.6km…

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Nearby George Town attractions

1. E&O Gallery

0.02 MILES

Originally built in 1884, the E&O was the archetypal 19th-century colonial grand hotel. It was established by two of the Armenian Sarkies brothers, Tigram…

2. Blue Mansion

0.14 MILES

The most photographed building in George Town, this magnificent 38-room, 220-window mansion was built in the 1880s and rescued from ruin in the 1990s…

3. Protestant Cemetery

0.16 MILES

Under a canopy of magnolia trees you’ll find the graves of Captain Francis Light, the founder of the British colony of Penang, and many others, including…

4. Church of the Assumption

0.22 MILES

The Catholic Church of the Assumption was founded in 1786, not long after the foundation of Penang, but the present building was constructed in 1861.

5. Hainan Temple

0.23 MILES

Dedicated to Mar Chor Poh, the patron saint of seafarers, this temple was founded in 1870 but not completed until 1895. A thorough remodelling for its…

6. High Court

0.31 MILES

This impressive 1903 building, with rows of columns holding up balconies and shaded exterior corridors, is Malaysia's oldest high court. Outside is a…

7. St George's Church

0.34 MILES

The oldest Anglican church in Southeast Asia, St George's was constructed in 1816, with backing from the East India Company. In the grounds is a memorial…

8. Penang State Art Gallery

0.35 MILES

Housed in Dewan Sri Pinang, the island’s first multipurpose hall, this small and rather tired gallery includes a permanent collection of contemporary…