There are some things which some service providers excel in doing, and there are some which only those in the know will have the know-how to deliver. I suppose the Eastern & Oriental Hotel in Penang is the latter, and not only because of its historicity but also because of its many capable and pleasant staff.

For presenting that period feel, the old-world charm and the colonial days of years gone by, you cannot fault the E & O. In fact, because of some chips off the door sills at the lobby toilets, and the peeling off of some paints in the restaurants, you get the very authentic feel that you've entered a time machine. Whether this is deliberate or not remains arguable; what's obvious is that the E & O promises that old-world charm and that grand dame of colonial Penang feeling, and it delivers exactly just that. So if you're like me, a sucker for an era gone by and the dolce vita seen in the good, old colonial days, you will like the E & O almost at the instant you step into its lobby.

The attention to details in the restoration of this grand dame of colonial Penang is as meticulous as one could be. The examples can be endless, but I shall name a few. Just check out the key deposit cabinet at the lobby, the telephone on the check in counter and the furniture used and you cannot help but agree that the designer / architect of this restoration project truly knows his stuff at the back of his palm. If you are blind to the modern amenities such as a flat-screen computer at the check-in counter and the ubiquitous mobile phones used by visitors lingering at the lobby, you'd most probably mistake for being in 1920s Georgetown. These details extend to the lifts used (check out the oldest one with metal shutters!) and the room amenities. What can I say? This is a tender loving job very, very well done indeed!

The room I had, Number 208 is big enough to house a family of four. The bed could have been better if it's a genuine king-sized bed, instead of a combination of two super single beds. But that said, all the rest of the amenities are first-class and work very well, while at the same time evoking that 1920s feel. Details like the old-fashioned shower stall, the very quaint bath-tub and the lamps used at the very authentically-restored Charles Dickens-style writing table all make the experience at this room doubly special. Yet the the modern amenities such as WiFi, telephones with two lines, a big flat-screen LCD TV set and hot water for shower are all there. You cannot get the better of these two worlds.

So what is it that made me not award the last star for the E & O? I suppose it's the food at the breakfast restaurant which is nothing to shout about frankly. In fact, the fried noodles my partner and I had had sand in them for two days in a row! The spread of sushi was also not welcoming at all while the use of bottled / packaged fruit juices cheapen the otherwise high-class feel of eating at the E & O. I was told the 1885 haute cuisine restaurant is famous and well-regarded, but I hardly saw any patrons there during the 4 days I was at the hotel.

The location of the hotel away from the centre of Georgetown also means you need to walk, or take a taxi to the places of interest within the city itself. Granted the walk usually takes no more than 30 minutes, and the taxi rides can be very zippy and relatively cheap, but with the merciless Penang sun blazing over you most of the time, walking is not truly a good option here.

The very adept and affable staff of the E & O however more than made up for any of these shortcomings. The check-in staff were a joy to speak to, and cheerful and ever-grinning Kelly P'ng actually brought us to our room personally, after offering us a (very) cold towel to cool down from the hot weather and a most wonderful welcome drink. The concierge was very obliging with all sorts of requests, and the housekeeping staff was attentive and at the same time not intrusive. When we were there, there was a party to light up the Christmas tree and that was a jolly and enjoyable event. although the food was nothing great, even as there was ample booze. All in all, the software also made the E & O, I suppose and this is one aspect I hope they continue to keep it up.

The E & O is one of those hotels which I'd been dying to stay in, just like the Raffles in Singapore and the Oriental Hotel in Bangkok. I am glad I made the splurge this time round and given a chance and also the financial ability, there is a strong possibility of me returning to this hotel again. Well done!

Rarely does a hotel exceed my expectations, but the E&O most certainly did. It was by far the highlight of our stay in Penang. The quality of service we enjoyed throughout our visit was nothing less than outstanding, and the E&O can take pride in their staff. As others have written, this hotel has an old fashioned, colonial feel to it. It exudes grace and elegance from its marble floors & dark wooden staircases and furniture, and is a strong reminder of Britain's imperial past (even though it was founded by 3 Armenian brothers).

We especially enjoyed the beautiful pool area and the high level of service we got from the staff there. A combination of peace, sun and some tranquility(sadly spoiled at times by the works to construct a new jetty adjacent to the hotel) made the pool a haven from the noise and traffic of Georgetown. Sipping a cool Tiger beer after a day in the sun is one of life's delights.

During our stay we were invited to the ceremony to switch on the Christmas tree lights. Despite the temperature being in the 80s, it felt very Christmassy sipping drinks in the foyer listening to Christmas carols. Lovely. I was also lucky enough to celebrate my birthday during our time here. The staff remembered this and sang 'Happy Birthday' during dinner and presented us with small desserts at the end. It was a lovely touch and typical of the personal service we enjoyed at the E&O.

The E&O is one of the best hotels I've stayed in, and should we ever be in Penang again, there is only one hotel we would use.

Staying at the E&O has to be one of life's great experiences. It starts with the airport greeting (I requested the limousine service) and cold drink on hotel arrival to the free shuttle to their sister hotel in the beach area. The view from the lovely room, and the conservatory where you have breakfast overlooking the Straits of Malacca, is wonderful. It is within walking distance of some of the main attractions, including the fabulous Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion. The staff are excellent and so is the service - I requested an iron and it was delivered very promptly and excellent provision was made for our late check out. My only suggestion would be to ensure that if there is an interconnecting room, the door should be bigger (or provide a draught stopper) to reduce noise, provide 2 bedside lamps, and the A/C, which was very efficient, could be a little quieter. The pool and pool service are excellent. All in all, a very enjoyable stay and I hope we have the opportunity of returning some day.

We last stayed in the hotel thirty five years ago and were pleased that the renovations had not destroyed the character and charm of the hotel. The staff are friendly and efficient. The suites reflect the colonial past of the hotel and are spacious with a large and well equipped restaurant. The buffet breakfast, which can be eaten on the terrace over looking the sea, is good and fresh.

The bar has a relaxing atmosphere. The main restaurant serves excellent food, with good service in charming dining room.

The pool is a nice size with good views of the sea.