Penang: A Heritage Hotel for a Dialogue with History

A living museum, a journey through old Nanyang dreams, a celebrity-frequented hotel... This trip to Penang finally allowed me to experience this heritage hotel I've been longing to visit! 📍Eastern & Oriental Hotel, Penang Established in 1885, this century-old hotel is one of the world's top three heritage hotels (the other two being Raffles Hotel Singapore and The Strand Yangon). Its retro Nanyang charm creates a timeless atmosphere. The location is superb, situated in George Town, Penang, within walking distance to major attractions. ⚠️ The hotel has two wings: Heritage Wing & Victory Wing, each with separate lobbies and check-in counters, about a 5-minute walk apart. 1. **Heritage Wing**: The original 1885 building features antique rooms, handwritten guest registers, cast-iron carved windows, and other historical details. Room keys hang on a grand brass wall. Pricier with more service perks. Off-season rates around ¥1,400/night. 2. **Victory Wing**: Expanded in 2001, blending modern amenities with classic aesthetics. Spacious rooms offer better value. Sea-view rooms face sunrise directly. Off-season rates around ¥1,000/night. 📷 Must-Visit Spots (open to non-guests): 1. **Heritage Wing 1F**: Century-old elevator (out of service but with retro iron gates), small museum (displaying historical artifacts), spiral staircase, teak shutters, brass key wall (Victorian-era Nanyang charm), and the front desk (with its historic brass wall). 2. **Celebrity Wall Corridor**: Between the two wings, showcasing famous past guests like Sun Yat-sen, Charlie Chaplin, Marilyn Monroe, Somerset Maugham, Michelle Yeoh, and Chua Lam—a must for culture lovers. 3. **Seaside Coconut Grove**: The hotel is oceanfront but lacks a beach. Stroll along the coast for sea views. Some sea-view rooms face sunrise 🌅. 🍳 Breakfast: 1. **Sarkies (Victory Wing 1F)**: A "95/100 legendary buffet" featuring Penang street food like char kway teow, Hokkien mee, roti canai, pandan cake, satay, and Nyonya kuih, plus salads, bread, cheese, omelets, and global cuisines. 2. **Planters (Victory Wing 6F)**: Quiet ambiance with ocean-view balcony seating. Limited menu: omelets, eggs Benedict, and a buffet of salads, fruits, bread, and sausages. 3. **Palm (Heritage Wing)**: Exclusive for Heritage Wing guests. 📝 Other Highlights: 1. **Victory Wing 6F**: Pool, gym, spa. 2. **Victory Wing 1F**: Shops (Nyonya souvenirs, hotel toiletries), jewelry store (rubies, sapphires, agate, jade), tailor, and history gallery. 3. **Heritage Wing 1F**: Exclusive Palm restaurant and pool.