It is an amazing hotel and great location for exploring Georgetown. The breakfast is out of this world and staff in the dining area could not be more helpful and welcoming.

I was actually disappointed with the check in, there was no real welcome or information given about the hotel itself. I was unaware that the drinks in the fridge were complimentary. Furthermore, paying 600MYR as a security deposit on check in when I had already paid for the accomodation to me is ridiculous. Plus being told on check out the money would be back with me in 7 days is unacceptable! I am used to credit card details being held but not being put through unless necessary. I was actually disappointed with the overall service and friendliness, despite paying a lot for a room.

The hotel itself is a historical building. Its gallery details the history of the hotel from the beginning up to now with lots of photos and interesting exhibits. The location of hotel is perfect , especially if this is your first trip to Penang, because the most popular sightseeing spots and famous local food stalls are nearby. The hotel breakfast is abundant and fresh with both Malay and western food and fruit.

This hotel was the perfect place to celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary. We stayed 4 nights and the E&O did not disappoint. We stayed in the Victory Annexe on the 15th floor and felt that this was probably a better option than staying in the Heritage Wing. While the breakfast buffet in the 6th floor was nowhere near as extensive as the ground floor Sarkies bar, we preferred it because the views from the terrace were great. Pool was fantastic, although occasionally all the sun lounges were taken. Service, as expected in a hotel like this, was exemplary. Our room was huge and when check out time came we did not want to leave.

We loved everything about the E&O - it’s now my favourite hotel of all time! The level of service from every member of staff is outstanding and the hotel itself is so beautiful. We stayed in the Heritage Wing with a seaview room and it was perfect in every way. Breakfast in Sarkies was superb and evening drinks and canapés was really sociable with lovely food and drunks. Farquhar’s Bar was also great and we loved sitting outside in the evening after dinner.

There wasn’t one thing we didn’t like.

The decor and ambience of the hotel. The breakfast buffet. The location was convenient

It was quite expensive. Disappointing that there was no access to the pool in the Annexe Wing when staying in the Victory wing. Unexpected additional fees where quite high increasing the overall booking cost by $500 AUD

A beautiful historic hotel with uninterrupted views across the coast. The pool area and bar areas were just stunning. Great cocktails in Farquhar’s bar. The breakfast buffet was extensive and we were advised what options were vegan suitable. Very friendly staff who could not do enough for you and they did try and sort any issues we had with the room.

Note if you’re staying in the victory annexe you will have specific pool access to the 6th floor pool, not to the pictured pool, which was a little unclear on booking. We also found the cleaning and room upkeep substandard - marked and worn shower screen, broken bath outflow which flooded the bathroom, room floor and rug unclean on arrival and covered in other peoples hair, dusty up-skirts and furniture. 18% service and taxes charged on whole stay on checkout - happy to pay this but should be mentioned at check in when pre-charge is made to card.

We love the location of the property; right on the edge of the waterfront was very nice. We also enjoyed the view from our room's balcony as it had a direct view of the Gurney Drive skyline and waterfront.

Being a five-star hotel, I felt its staff was not as friendly/helpful as other competitive hotels on the Penang island. There was a door staff who spent time playing with his smartphone and ignored us, not opening the door and not greeting us. Even though this is a minor issue, it has a poor reflection on the hotel's image and experience of a high-end hotel. I wished the hotel gym is 24 hours instead of opening from 7 am, which for some of us early birds is not convenient.

The heritage part of hotel

No control of guests entering swimming pool which is supposed to be reserved only for only heritage guests

Location of the E and O was perfect for walking to sightsee the cultural sights of Georgetown. Hotel was elegantly furnished and had a pleasing ambiance. Staff were courteous and room was cleaned exceptionally well, loved the turn down touch! The large bathroom suited our family and was thoughtfully equipped with supplies. We enjoyed the pool in the victory annexe gazing out over the calm waters. Farquhar's Bar was perfect for a late afternoon drink and buffet breakfast options were extensive. Loved this hotel!

At times, there was loud talking in the early hours from the bowling alley next door. Not anything to do with the hotel but was a little frustrating at times.

Waking up on the first morning and viewing from the bed the sun rising on the sea and then able to walk out onto your own balcony and see the great expanse of the ocean. The bathroom was huge and generous in its fit-out. The whole room quietly spoke of a pared back design that still messaged good style and relaxed living. I didn't just "like" this hotel - I loved it.

Hard to find any faults. Price was good. Location excellent. Room was magnificent. The only glitch in the system was when we had encountered such wonderful, warm and engaging staff and then at check-out we had a very cold experience with a staff member (perhaps he was new and lacking confidence but he did border on rude). But this is a tiny, weeny little crack in an otherwise fantastic experience of the E & O Hotel.