We spent five nights at the E&O and it proved to be an excellent base for exploring Georgetown. Our room was huge (with two televisions!) a comfortable bed, separate seating area, and great view over the Straits of Malacca, and a large bathroom with his n hers wash hand basins. The room could have benefited from from some more lively decoration, and the noise from the corridor air con took a bit of getting used to.

The hotel itself occupies a relatively narrow and long plot overlooking the sea which creates some problems, so one has to walk some distance to get to the restaurant serving breakfast - although the breakfast area itself is very pleasant - as is the breakfast. The pool area was somewhat restricted; and we were amazed that the main access to the pool was via the bar. The bar itself was relatively small for such a prestige hotel.

Notwithstanding these criticisms we enjoyed our stay and thought the hotel was very good, with staff who were consistently excellent, friendly, and helpful.

It lives up to all your expectations for the grandeur of the past. We had a suite with a balcony overlooking the ocean, which was tranquil and wonderful area to relax from the bustle of Penang. The staff were excellent going out of their way to be helpful with information and suggestions for visits to restaurants etc Suptuous breakfasts overlooking the harbour were very special. I will return ...

We tried really hard to get a booking for this hotel and because it was New Years we were unsuccessful, they were fully booked out. So, we did the next best thing and hung out there. Located right on the waterfront, this hotel has location in spades full. The staff have captured the feel of the old British Colonial times and style and are dressed thus-wise. Bombay Bloomers abound, there is wall to wall khaki and topees. From the moment you arrive there is an invitation to join the theatre that is also what this hotel is about.The interiors are lushly colonial and every nook and cranny of the public areas reveal something from a bygone era. There is a souvenir shop with a very energetic and engaging lady behind the counter. She will happily exchange repartee whether you buy a silk scarf or not. There is a great "Pub" on the ground floor that drips with atmosphere. The meet and greet at the front door is suitably colonial and terribly stiff upper lip-ish. They can handle the guests who arrive in limousines with suitable aplomb. Although we couldn't get a room, we could take High Tea, one of the many things for which this hotel is famous. I think they do cucumber sandwiches second to none. Because High Tea is one of their afternoon features, once again their tea rooms were full. However, we found that sitting outside overlooking the extraordinarily mirror smooth waters of the Straits and cooled by the gentle cool breeze on the day, was more than a happy outcome. Next time we will book well ahead for this very popular hotel.

We had 4 nights in January 2013. Everyone was charming, helpful, enthusiastic. We love that colonial style with the updated benefits. There is a shuttle service to their sister hotel at the Batu Ferrengi beach. We found breakfast on the terrace overlooking the sea very charming indeed. Rooms are all suites so all very large.