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6 Amazing Travel Experiences in Penang!

When you think of travelling to Penang? What do you think of? The UNESCO heritage site of Georgetown? The vibrant (and delicious) hawker food scene? Or simply chilling at Batu Ferringhi beach? In this post, we’ll show you 6 Amazing Travel Experiences in Penang that you won’t want to miss!

1. Exploring Batu Ferringhi Beach

Batu Ferringhi Beach Penang
Batu Ferringhi Beach
Batu Ferringhi Beach Night Market
Batu Ferringhi Beach Night Market
Rock Spa Experience
Rock Spa Experience

Most people discount the fact that Penang does have an excellent beach that faces the Andaman Sea and Malacca Straits. Batu Ferringhi is its name. Located at the northern tip of Penang, Batu Ferringhi offers beach goers all you’d expect at a reputable beach – fine pristine sand (especially at Hard Rock Hotel Penang), beach activities (including para-sailing, banana boat rides and jet skiing) and even horse back riding by the beach.

After all the fun you’ve had at the beach, head on out to one of the many excellent spas located along Batu Ferringhi beach – including the award winning Rock Spa @ Hard Rock Hotel and Chi Spa @ Rasa Sayang Resort and Spa.

As the evening winds down, check out the night markets along the roads next to the beaches. Many road side stalls open till late at night offering tourists the option of souvenir shopping (including sun glasses, hand bags and wallets) and late night supper at Batu Ferringhi.

2. Looking Out for Street Arts & Wall Murals

Street Art Penang - Less Salt Thinning Hair
Street Art Penang – Less Salt Thinning Hair
Penang Street Art - Budget Hotel
Penang Street Art – Budget Hotel
Penang Street Art - Trishaw Mural
Penang Street Art – Trishaw Mural

Penang is littered with amazing street arts and wall murals. One of the most famous one is this mural of a trishaw uncle in the heart of Jalan Penang that almost covers the entire building facade. We also noticed several comical street art that brings across daily conversations in Penang through light-hearted colloquial jokes.

3. Wandering the Streets of Georgetown – UNESCO World Heritage Site

Penang Historic Streets
Penang Historic Streets
Colonial Buildings Penang - Birch House
Colonial Buildings Penang – Birch House
Colonial Buildings Penang - Eastern & Oriental Hotel
Colonial Buildings Penang – Eastern & Oriental Hotel
Colonial Buildings Penang - St Jos Gurney Paragon
Colonial Buildings Penang – St Jos Gurney Paragon
Fort Cornwallis Penang
Fort Cornwallis Penang
Blue Mansion Penang - Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion
Blue Mansion Penang – Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion

Since 2007, Penang’s Georgetown has been named as an UNESCO World Heritage Site because of the rich history of this precinct. You will be able to spot many colonial-styled buildings such as the Eastern & Oriental Hotel and Birch House as well as the many traditional chinese architectures along the streets. Fort Cornwallis, one of the best preserved forts in Malaysia also bears testament to Penang’s colonial roots.

To round off this historic trip, check out Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion (better known as the Blue Mansion). Within, you’ll be able to see how the ultra-rich pampered themselves in this 38 room mansion – luxurious even by today’s standards.

4. Trishaw Ride in Penang

Trishaw Uncle Penang
Trishaw Uncle Penang
Trishaw Ride Penang
Trishaw Ride Penang

Trishaw Ride Penang Video

Another amazing experience in Penang that you should try is the trishaw ride. We took a trishaw ride from Komtar back to our hotel at Eastern & Oriental. The ride took about 10 minutes and cost 15RM. What we enjoyed about this ride was the “alfresco” style of the ride. As the sun shone while we rode past the historic lanes (with winds gently blowing against your face), that made the ride really worthwhile. Be ready for a bit of excitement while the trishaw weaves in and out of traffic!

5. Penang Hawker Food

Ah Leng Char Koay Teow
Ah Leng Char Koay Teow
Penang Char Hor Fun
Penang Char Hor Fun
Penang Road Teochew Chendul
Penang Road Teochew Chendul

Penang is the home to Malaysian hawker food. Here you will be able to find famous Penang hawker fare such as Penang Char Koay Teow, Char Hor Fun, Penang Road Teochew Chendul and much much more. Check out our post on the “13 Penang Hawker Food and Nonya Restaurants that You MUST TRY” to find out more!

6. Penang Nonya Food

Mama's Nonya Cuisine
Mama’s Nonya Cuisine
Nonya Curry Chicken Rice RM8.80 (小娘惹)
Nonya Curry Chicken Rice RM8.80 (小娘惹)
The Little Nonya Cuisine (小娘惹)
The Little Nonya Cuisine (小娘惹)

Still on food (what else? :p), one must try Penang’s nonya food. The Little Nonya Cuisine (小娘惹) as well as Mama’s Nonya Cuisine offers some of the best nonya food in Penang at an affordable price.

Where to stay in Penang?

Hard Rock Hotel Penang
Hard Rock Hotel Penang
Rasa Sayang Resort & Spa Penang
Rasa Sayang Resort & Spa Penang
Eastern and Oriental Hotel Penang
Eastern and Oriental Hotel Penang

Our top picks for hotels at the Batu Ferringhi area includes the Rasa Sayang Resort & Spa as well as the Hard Rock Hotel Penang. In Georgetown? The famous Eastern and Oriental Hotel Penang!

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Pool and sea view from E&O Hotel Victory Annexe Studio Suite

Eastern & Oriental Hotel : Penang’s Grand Old Dame

Eastern & Oriental Hotel (also known affectionately as the E&O Hotel) is Penang’s most iconic hotel. Founded by the Sarkies brothers (who also founded Raffles Hotel in Singapore and the Strand in Yangon) in 1885, it was also known as “the Premier Hotel East of the Suez” due to its sea-front lawn spanning in excess of 800 feet and the hot and cold running water (yup, it was a symbol of luxury in those days). Thanks to the great folks of E&O Hotel (a huge shout-out to Eileen!), we were hosted to 2 nights stay at the Victory Annexe Studio Suite right here at the iconic Eastern & Oriental Hotel, Penang!

Eastern and Oriental Hotel Penang (E&O Hotel) Entrance
Eastern and Oriental Hotel Penang (E&O Hotel) Entrance
Entrance of E&O Hotel Penang
Entrance of E&O Hotel Penang
Reception of Eastern and Oriental Hotel Penang
Reception of Eastern and Oriental Hotel Penang

As we were heading towards E&O from Rasa Sayang, we popped by Lone Pine Hotel (also under the management of E&O) for a complimentary transfer.

We alighted at the heritage wing of the E&O and sure enough, the colonial and classy feel of the hotel dawned upon us as we entered the lobby…

Lobby of E&O Hotel Victory Annexe (A short walk away)
Lobby of E&O Hotel Victory Annexe (A short walk away)
Lobby of E&O Hotel Heritage Wing
Lobby of E&O Hotel Heritage Wing
Corridor to our sea view Studio Suite at level 8 of the E&O
Corridor to our sea view Studio Suite at level 8 of the E&O

After a prompt check-in at the Victory Annexe (too prompt in a sense that we were not formally introduced to the facilities of the hotel), we were shown to our lift. Walking along a hugely spacious corridor at level 8, we arrived at our suite…

Eastern and Oriental Hotel Penang (E&O Hotel) Victory Annexe Studio Suite

As we entered the suite, the decoration and layout exuberated the classy vibe as we’ve had experienced at the Raffles Hotel Singapore. Our first gasp came as we laid eyes upon the bath tub…as the centre-piece of the entire suite, it is both functional and yet can be seen as a piece of art. The clawfoot bath tub, accompanied by a huge full length mirror, is certainly a lavish touch to the overall decoration of the suite.

2bearbear enjoying the clawfoot bath tub of the Eastern and Oriental Penang
2bearbear enjoying the clawfoot bath tub of the Eastern and Oriental Penang
Red wine chilling out with super rings in bath tub! ;p
Red wine chilling out with super rings in bath tub! ;p

There are also 2 wash basins for the lady and gentleman. How do we know that? The toiletries supplied at each basin was different. One has the shaver while the other has the shower cap. A cute little touch there 😉

His and Hers vanity sink
His and Hers vanity sink
Toiletries of the E&O Hotel Penang
Toiletries of the E&O Hotel Penang

As with all 5 stars / luxury class hotels, the beds are always inviting. At the Victory Annexe Studio Suite, you’ll get a writer’s desk as well as pool and sea view at your own private balcony…

Bed and armchair of the Eastern and Oriental Hotel Studio Suite
Bed and armchair of the Eastern and Oriental Hotel Studio Suite
Writer’s desk
Writer’s desk
Pool and sea view from E&O Hotel Victory Annexe Studio Suite
Pool and sea view from E&O Hotel Victory Annexe Studio Suite


Video Tour of Victory Annexe Studio Suite, E&O Hotel

Eastern and Oriental Hotel Penang (E&O Hotel) Facilities

Swimming Pool

Infinity Pool Eastern and Oriental Hotel Victory Annexe
Infinity Pool Eastern and Oriental Hotel Victory Annexe
Another view of the infinity pool of the E&O Hotel
Another view of the infinity pool of the E&O Hotel
Chilling out at the Pool Side Terrace
Chilling out at the Pool Side Terrace
Swimming Pool Eastern and Oriental Hotel Penang
Swimming Pool Eastern and Oriental Hotel Penang

Both the Victory Annexe as well as the Heritage Wing have swimming pools of their own and guests are allowed to visit either of the swimming pools. We loved the Victory Annexe swimming pool (not only because of its proximity – ie walk less) but also because of the splendid views that it offers of the sea and the Malaysia Peninsula.

Gym

E&O Hotel Gym
E&O Hotel Gym

The E&O Hotel is currently in the midst of adding a spa to its premise (yay!). However, it’s business as usual at the gym and yes, it also has sea views as you work out on one of these treadmills.

Planter’s Lounge

Planter’s Lounge Eastern and Oriental Hotel Penang
Planter’s Lounge Eastern and Oriental Hotel Penang
Chilling out at this cosy area of the Planter’s Lounge
Chilling out at this cosy area of the Planter’s Lounge
Cocktail hours snacks
Cocktail hours snacks
Wine, beers and drinks during cocktail hours
Wine, beers and drinks during cocktail hours
Radler beer and white wine with sea views during cocktail hours
Radler beer and white wine with sea views during cocktail hours

Guests staying at the Victory Annexe also have complimentary access to the Planter’s Lounge. Coffee and Tea are available throughout the day while cocktail hours are from 6pm to 7pm daily. Do note that the Planter’s Lounge is NOT A CLUB. This means that it is essentially an area for guests to relax or have meetings. Hence, depending on the crowd, you may or may not be served when you visit the lounge. The other strange thing that we noticed was that there’s no signature cocktails served during cocktail hours (we ordered the E&O Sling at the pool). You would have to concoct your own cocktails with the given liquor and drinks 😉

Marvelous Views in and around E&O Hotel Penang

Sunset view from Heritage Wing Eastern and Oriental Hotel Penang
Sunset view from Heritage Wing Eastern and Oriental Hotel Penang
Views of Peninsula Malaysia from Sarkies
Views of Peninsula Malaysia from Sarkies
Facade of Eastern and Oriental Hotel Penang (Heritage Wing)
Facade of Eastern and Oriental Hotel Penang (Heritage Wing)
Trishaw ride from Komtar to E&O Hotel for 15RM
Trishaw ride from Komtar to E&O Hotel for 15RM

Eastern and Oriental Hotel Penang (E&O Hotel) Breakfast at Sarkies

Breakfast at Sarkies E&O Hotel Penang
Breakfast at Sarkies E&O Hotel Penang
Bakery area for breakfast
Bakery area for breakfast
Penang Char Kway Teow Station E&O Hotel Breakfast
Penang Char Kway Teow Station E&O Hotel Breakfast
Noodles Station
Noodles Station
Hot western selection
Hot western selection
Sushi and cold cuts at Eastern and Oriental Hotel Penang Breakfast
Sushi and cold cuts at Eastern and Oriental Hotel Penang Breakfast
Penang Char Koay Teow
Penang Char Koay Teow
Pastries Fruits and Juices with sea view from Sarkies
Pastries Fruits and Juices with sea view from Sarkies
Eggs Benedict enjoyed by Tom!
Eggs Benedict enjoyed by Tom!

Breakfast at Sarkies starts from 6:30am to 10:30am while breakfast at Planter’s Lounge ends slightly later at 11am. There’s a good spread and variety of breakfast at Sarkies that ranges from asian (indian, japanese and malaysian) to western (patries, toasts and eggs). But for us, it was the overall experience of dining outdoors at the verandah, overlooking peninsula Malaysia and sipping over a nice cuppa while browsing the day’s news. Heavenly!

How to get to Eastern and Oriental Hotel Penang (E&O Hotel)

Eastern and Oriental Hotel Penang (E&O Hotel) is located at 10 Farquhar Street, Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia. From Penang International Airport it takes about 20 minutes (15 USD) by taxi and about 10 minutes (15RM) by trishaw from Komtar. If you’re taking a bus from Penang International Airport to Komtar, it takes about 30 minutes (3RM) by taking buses 102 and 401.

To sum up, we take a look at our BASIC FACTOR and the score for Eastern and Oriental Hotel Penang, is a 4.5!

B – 1. Clawfoot bath tub. Need we say more?
A – 1. Classy, lavish, luxurious and colonial. All the factors of a heritage hotel.
S – 0.5. Like we said, checking-in was a little too “prompt”. More information could have been given at the reception.
I – 1. Splendid views from the infinity pool. Great place to chillax.
C – 1. Comfortable bed and pillows for a good night’s rest 🙂

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**Special thanks to Eileen for making our staycation at Eastern and Oriental Hotel possible!

Click here for the best rates at Eastern and Oriental Hotel Penang!

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