Staying at the Eastern & Oriental Hotel in Penang, Malaysia ... - Hotel in Malaysia Blog

Staying at the Eastern & Oriental Hotel in Penang, Malaysia ...
Hotel review: the Datai Langkawi (Malaysia) | the Luxury Travel Expert
Alvin & Regine Wedding In Pullman Hotel, Putrajaya | Wedding ...

Staying at the Eastern & Oriental Hotel in Penang, Malaysia ...

Posted: 22 Apr 2014 09:03 AM PDT

Apr 23, 2014 alvinology * travel, - Malaysia, featured, foodie 0

During a trip earlier this year to Penang, Malaysia, Rachel and I stayed at the colonial-style Eastern & Oriental Hotel (the E&O). The hotel was established in 1885 by the Sarkies Brothers, the same brothers who went on to establish Raffles Hotel in Singapore 1887. The E&O is still in business today and is known for its luxurious accommodation and restaurants.

View of the E&O from outside

Checking into the hotel

Like the Raffles Hotel in Singapore, the E&O is the embodiment of a special time and a special place in history, standing testament to the grand elegance of the British colonial era during its prime. The hotel's history is intrinsically intertwined with the history and development of Penang, with many important historical figures having stayed at the hotel. Notable guests include Rudyard Kipling, Sir Noel Coward, Somerset Maugham, Sun Yat-sen, Charlie Chaplin, Michael Jackson and Lee Kuan Yew, just to name a few.

There's a room named after Sir Noel Coward in his honour

Famous folks who stayed at the hotel

More famous guests

In its long and colourful history, the E&O Hotel has seen two World Wars, the wane of the British Empire as well as the birth of Malaysia. Staying at the hotel during a trip to Penang is as much of an experience as the trip itself, much like a walk down memory lane, living through the glory days of the British empire.

Lobby area at the Victory Annexe

Small pier behind the hotel

Take a beach stroll, just behind the hotel

The hotel has two wings, the Heritage Wing, built in 1885 and the new Victory Annexe, launched in March 2013. Named after the original Victory Annexe – a magnificent 40-room addition unveiled by Arshak Sarkies in 1923 – the new Victory Annexe features 118 Studio Suites and 4 Corner Suites.

The Victory Annexe

Rachel and I stayed in one of the Studio Suites:

Feeling sleepy? :)
Rachel in the reading chair
Lovely balcony with a fantastic view
Coffee machine in the room
Two wash basins outside the bathroom – no need to queue in the morning!
Bathroom with both a shower room and a bathtub
View of the room from outside the balcony
Andaman sea view with land view of Penang from the balcony
Work desk
One of two wash basins in the room
Art on the wall
Cosy E&O bathrobe
Cute little wooden clock in the room

We visited one of the Corner Suite and this is how the room is like:

There is a living room within the room
Dining table
Shower room
Bathtub
Work desk
Bed area
2 x wash basins
View upon entrance
Bathroom view from entrance

The new Victory Annexe's modern-classic design retains the essence of E&O's rich heritage yet offers the modern traveller's conveniences including high-speed wifi broadband connection, a fully-equipped gym and an infinity pool with an extensive view of the Andaman sea:

Gym

Infinity pool

Poolside

Shopping alley

Inside the gift shop

The Heritage Wing

We did a tour of the Heritage Wing and checked out some of the rooms:

Bedroom
Bedroom from another view
Wash basin
Really spacious!
Entrance to the bathroom
Single bed
Bathroom
Sofa rest area
Attached dining area
At the Heritage Wing, you get batik instead of bathrobe – nice!
Work desk which Rachel fell in love with immediately
Rachel checking out the desk
Work area
Television hidden inside
Vintage switches which are still working, same as the ones at Raffles Hotel in Singapore
Vintage faucet

The Heritage Wing is the historical heart of the Eastern & Oriental Hotel. Built in 1885, its Moorish minarets and soaring echo-dome lobby provide the backdrop for khaki-clad doormen and pith-helmeted bellhops to welcome guests to its 100 elegant suites:

Elegant chandelier

Vintage staircases and furnitures

Lobby area in the Heritage Wing

Rooms corridor

Check out the vintage elevator at the end

F&B Establishments

Breakfast at the hotel is served at Sarkies for guests in the Victory Annexe, offering a wide selection of local and international fare served buffet style:

Rachel with our friend in Penang, Valyn
Breakfast
Roti Canai station
Soup noodles for breakfast?
Choices for noodle and condiments
Asian lunch fare
The restaurant is always packed, from morning till night, testament to the good food they serve
Beautiful cakes and pastries
Seafood
Soup noodle section
Roast meat section
Grill section
Penang Fried Kway Tiao
I love the roast duck
Fish

If you prefer something more rustic, there is also the colonial coffee shop, Sarkies Corner which offers a selection of local & international fare:

Vintage feel
Inside the coffee shop
Coffee shop entrance

For those who like the experience of poolside dining, there is the Poolside Terrace and Planters Lounge. During our stay, Rachel and I love to visit these two places when we are in the mood to write or do some quiet reading:

Rest and relax by the pool
Infinity pool
Dining with a sea view
Planters Lounge
Drinks and snacks at the Planters Lounge

For drinks to chill out, there is Farquhar's Bar:

The Location

The E&O by night

Situated in George Town, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008, the E&O Hotel stands at the intersection of Farquhar Street and Penang Road. The hotel is 20 kilometres from the Penang International Airport (less than 30 minutes cab ride) and within walking distance from the food havens, shopping complexes and entertainment outlets of downtown George Town.

If you are interested to stay at the E&O, visit their official website for more information, including promotional updates. :)

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Hotel review: the Datai Langkawi (Malaysia) | the Luxury Travel Expert

Posted: 16 Apr 2014 01:08 PM PDT

Wednesday newsletters always feature a hotel and/or flight review.

TODAY: THE DATAI LANGKAWI (MALAYSIA).

Nestled in the heart of an ancient rainforest above a gorgeous bay, the Datai Langkawi is a captivating destination resort that blends smoothly with its natural surroundings. Situated on the beautiful island of Langkawi, each room, suite and villa enjoys the embrace of the lush rainforest and some offer stunning views from private verandas of the breathtaking Andaman Sea. Reconnect with nature, rekindle your spirit and reignite your soul in this serene natural haven.

In this review (more info below the slideshow & our youtube clip):

Pros & things we like
Cons & things to know
Our verdict
Tips for future guests
Comparison with other Langkawi luxury hotels (Four Seasons)
Best time to visit
How to get there

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

PROS & THINGS WE LIKE:

The Datai Langkawi has a spectacular rainforest setting. The main facilities are embedded in the jungle on a hillside above a long curl of sand in the relatively isolated north-west corner of Langkawi island. The resort's jungle surrounds plays host to a wealth of wildlife, some of which are endemic to the area. You may well spot dusky leaf monkeys, tokay geckos or Sunda flying lemurs during your stay (especially at dusk or dawn). A ten minute walk through the lush private grounds (or a buggy service) will bring you down to the satellite facilities at Datai Bay beach. The long beach is wide and composed of soft, grey sand. It is shared with another hotel (the Andaman hotel), but feels very exclusive and private as nobody else can access it.

The resort architecture is absolutely gorgeous and the facilities are all extremely well maintained, despite this being a quite isolated location in the midst of the jungle.

The Datai Langkawi features 124 rooms, with a location in the jungle or along the beach (choose your accommodation according to the setting of your choice). The hotel has 44 deluxe rooms, 10 premium rooms, 40 villas, 4 pool suites, 12 suites and 14 beach villas. All rooms & villas have individually controlled air conditioning, ceiling fans, satellite TV, DVD player, hairdryers, international direct dial telephones and personal safes. Room furniture is heavy and solid and the beds are very comfortable with excellent quiet air-conditioning or ceiling fans to keep the temperature cool.

Some very nice, additional room features are the complimentary mini bar and a daily replenished fruit bowl. We also received a bottle of champagne upon arrival in the room, but I am not sure whether this is standard complimentary practise or was part of the hotel deal that we booked.

The resort has a 2 pools: a stunning adults only pool (to escape from screaming children) which is higher up in the jungle near the main facilities & a smaller pool down by Datai Bay almost beachfront which caters to families with children. Both pools are heated and glorious with very comfy sun loungers & oversized towels. Just when you think you are far too hot you are supplied with an ice-cold flannel & surprised by a sorbet or mini cocktail to keep you refreshed.

Service is excellent (albeit a little slow at times), and both staff and management will do whatever they can to make your stay as relaxed and enjoyable as possible.

The hotel has 4 restaurants on site. Elevated in the forest, in an open-air setting, you can enjoy the authentic Thai cuisine at The Pavilion. For Malaysian and Western cuisine look out for The Dining Room or enjoy the alfresco dining at The Beach Club. For the authentic Malay and Indian cuisine, enjoy the open-air Gulai House. The Thai was my favourite, closely followed by the Gulai House, in the canopy of the forest. Breakfast (more of a brunch) is also another culinary experience offering both Asian & continental cuisine.

Room rates are very reasonable for a luxury resort of this kind (almost half of those at the Four Seasons Langkawi, albeit difference in customer experience is marginal).

The Datai also features an exclusive 18-hole Championship golf course, a full-service spa, two tennis courts, and a health club. The small but beautiful spa is located in the rainforest (only female therapists) and we advise to book treatments in advance to avoid disappointment.

LOBBY

HOTEL BAR AND LOUNGE

WALKWAYS TO ROOMS

HOTEL WING

ADULT POOL

POOL LOUNGERS

JUNGLE WALKWAY TO BEACH

STAIRS TO BEACH

DATAI BAY BEACH

FAMILY POOL

BEACH RESTAURANT

LOBBY AT NIGHT

THE PAVILION THAI RESTAURANT

HOTEL AT NIGHT

DINING ROOM AT NIGHT

CONS & THINGS TO KNOW:

Although the resort has a beautiful beach, its real habitat is the rainforest. Few rooms & villas have open views of the sea, as most look into the beautiful jungle.

WiFi is free but it was a hit and miss. Download is poor when the hotel is busy.

At certain times of the year, jellyfish are the in the waters around Langkawi and they may cause serious health and safety issues. The watersports staff flags for ocean conditions.

The resort used to be part of the GHM Hotels & Resorts portfolio, but ownership/management has changed last year. Some guest's reviews on the internet complained about a decline in service and maintenance. While we cannot compare the hotel with how it was managed under the GHM brand, we found the overall service to be excellent albeit a little slow from time to time (as we noted less staff as compared to other luxury hotels of this size). We experienced one serious let-down at the signature restaurant Gulai House, where our entrees were not served at the same time (but with a 15 minute interval between them) and no apologies or explanation were offered.

Some guests posted reviews on the internet that the rooms feel (out)dated, but I do not agree (our room was excellent, albeit it may have been an updated one). In any case, the resort will revamp its rooms this year, so it should not be any issue anymore in the near future.

BEDROOM

BEDROOM SITTING AREA

WELCOME LETTER

WELCOME LETTER, CHAMPAGNE, FRUIT PLATTER

WILDLIFE ON TERRACE

BALCONY

TOILETRIES

BATHROOM

OUR VERDICT:

Location: 9/10
Design: 9/10
Rooms: 8/10
Food: 9/10
Service: 8/10
Overall experience: very good: 8,6/10

TIPS FOR FUTURE GUESTS:

Book a hotel room near the main building if you want to have a rainforest experience and/or be close to main facilities, or, alternatively, book a beach villa when you want to stay on the beach.

If you book a rainforest room, request one at the higher (second) floor, so that you have a more open view of the jungle and more daylight into your room.

If you love Thai food, do not miss the culinary experience at the Pavilion. The curry Massaman was the best ever!

Read our tips on how to book a room at a luxury resort like Four Seasons Langkawi.

Read our tips on how to prepare your trip in time.

BREAKFAST BUFFET

COMPARISON WITH OTHER LUXURY HOTELS ON LANGKAWI:

The Four Seasons (read our review here) and the Datai are hands down the best hotels in Langkawi. Comparing them would be unfair since they both offer a totally different experience, more focused on the rainforest at the Datai and on the beach and Andaman Sea at the Four Seasons. Nevertheless, you may want to take into consideration the following facts when you do not know what resort to choose:

The Datai is less expensive as compared to the Four Seasons, while the overall experience in terms of service, food and luxury is marginally different (our room rate at the Four Seasons was twice as expensive as the Datai for the lowest room category).

The colour of the sand is a bit less white than compared with the white sand at the Four Seasons Hotel (which is my favorite beach in Langkawi, also from an aesthetical point of view).

The jungle surroundings of the Datai are way more impressive than those at the Four Seasons, with the added spectacle of wildlife.

The rooms of the Four Seasons are larger and more luxurious (especially the bathrooms), but they feel less authentic.

Service at the Four Seasons is (slightly) superior to the Datai.

In summary, when travelling to Langkawi, I would recommend to stay a few nights at both resorts to take in the best from the rainforest (Datai) and beach (Langkawi).

BEST TIME TO VISIT:

Langkawi has one of the more stable climates for an island in Malaysia. Located on the northwestern coast of Peninsular Malaysia in the Malaccan Straits, it is shielded from major winds and storms by the mainland on one side and Sumatra on the other. This makes Langkawi suitable to be visited all-year-round, with never too drastic weather. The rainy season is from September until mid November, during which time on average, there are about two hours of rain per day. Note that an hour of this precipitation usually comes during the night-time. Even during rainy season, the mornings are usually filled with sunshine, with the rain coming during overcast afternoons. The mid-season (neither dry nor rainy) is from mid April until August. The mornings are again sunny, but the afternoons can be overcast. The dry season is from mid November until mid April, during which time there is very little rain.

HOW TO GET THERE:

The following airlines (click here for direct links to their websites) serve the small Langkawi airport (a 20 minute drive away from the resort):

Malaysian Airlines: via Kuala Lumpur
Malindo Air: via Kuala Lumpur, Penang
Fire Fly: via Kuala Lumpur, Penang
Silkair: via Singapore
Tigerair: via Singapore
Air Asia: via Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Kuching, Singapore

Alvin & Regine Wedding In Pullman Hotel, Putrajaya | Wedding ...

Posted: 19 Mar 2014 07:26 AM PDT

Pullman Hotel, Putrajaya is such a beautiful location to hold a wedding. Alvin & Regine chose to hold their wedding at this hotel and it is my pleasure to have photographed my this long time friend's wedding. I knew Alvin since kindergarten and studied through primary and secondary school together. One day I received a call from Alvin informing he's getting married at Pullman Hotel in Putrajaya and I told him, "I want to photograph your wedding bro". Everyone attending his wedding can definitely feel that he was blessed with joy and happiness when Alvin broke into tears during the wedding ceremony. I wish Alvin and Regine a blissful marriage.

Pullman Hotel

Groom Bride

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Wednesday, 23 April 2014