· Open -

Eastern Hotel 1884 / Oriental Hotel 1885 / E & O Hotel 1889

· 1st Owner -

Martin, Tigran and Aviet Sarkies. In 1891 they were joined by brother Arshad who took over the E & O when his brothers left Penang

· AKA -

The Grand Dame of George Town, Penang / the Grande dame of Heritage Hotels / The Penang Haitan Ryokan (When the Japanese took over in WWII)

· Stars - *****

· Guests -

Sir Noel Coward / Douglas Fairbanks / Mary Pickford / Rudyard Kipling / Somerset Maugham / Charlie Chaplin / Lee Kuan Yew / Sun Yat Sen / Rita Hayworth

· History -

The Eastern Hotel was founded by the Sarkies brothers in 1884 - the Oriental in 1885 and they were merged into the Eastern and Oriental Hotel in 1889

It was set up to take advantage of the Suez Canal opening up

The Japanese turned the hotel into a private officers club during WWII called the Penang Haitan Ryokan. This meant it became a bombing target for the allies. Fortunately it survived this tumultuous time

After WWII the hotel went into a couple of decades of decline

In 1996 management decided on major renovation and it opened again in 2001

In 2013 a new tower was put up

· Signature -

Spacious colonial style suites

· Rooms -

220 all suites @ $141 - $697

· Tales -

Once the ballroom was added in 1903 the hotel became the centre for Penang's social life and drew musicians and writers from around the world

By the 1920's it was hosting all of the major events

Rudyard Kipling always requested the same room and that is now called the Rudyard Kipling room

By 1931 when he died Arshak (the owner and last surviving Sarkies brother) owed his hotel company the equivalent of about US$3.6 million. He would invite his friends to come and stay at the hotel for free

Before the Japanese arrived in WWII the authorities ordered that all bottles of alcohol to be smashed depriving them of enjoying a drink

· Claim to Fame -

The World's longest hotel seafront

It sits in the buffer zone of the  UNESCO Listed World Heritage Site for George Town

· Innovations -

Roller skating rink

Rooms with telephones and baths with hot and cold running water

One of Malaysia's first lifts

Complimentary news papers delivered daily

· Feature -

Barista standard coffee and fine teas - in room

E & O Gallery - small on site museum containing artefacts and information on the hotel's history

· View -

Out past the Straits of Malacca to the the Andaman Sea

· High Tea -

In the Palm Court, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday

Outstanding quality and value

· Facilities -

Ballroom / Function Suites / Outdoor Swimming Pool with views of the Andaman Sea / 6th floor infinity pool /  Spa / Fitness Centre / Souvenirs and collectables shop / Fashion boutique / Hair dresser / 24 hour butler service / Currency exchange / Luggage storage / Tour arrangements / Concierge / Bicycle rental / Cooking classes

· Unique -

Complimentary Minibar

· Restaurants - Special pre-order dishes and Take out

Java Tree - Nonya and European cuisine (named after a Jave Tree on the site since before the hotel was built

Palm Court - Malaysian, Indian, Chinese noodles and lunch items like burgers and salads

Planters Lounge - Seaviews, continental breakfast, lunch and dinners - G&T sundowners

Sarkies - Malaysian and International buffet

· Bars -

Farquhar's Bar - Waterfront view, classic long bar with oak, brass and leather

· Sights -

Fort Cornwallis / Pinang Peranakan Mansion / Wonderfood Museum / UNESCO Listed George Town / Tropical Spice Garden / Kek Lok Si Temple / Batu Ferringhi Beach / Little India / Tanjung Bungah Floating Mosque / Penang Hill / Chulia Street Night Market / Penang State Museum / Penang Cemetery and Arshak Sarkies's tombstone

· Extra -

Have a look at #26 Malaysia Peninsular and #27 Malaysia Borneo in 'Countries L - Z'  and Islands.

Click here to go to the markers map.