AFTERNOON TEA AT THE EASTERN & ORIENTAL HOTEL IN PENANG

In its early days as an outpost of the East India Company, Penang drew travellers of every shade and description – merchants, missionaries, mercenaries, sailors and adventurers. From London to Singapore, one was required to sail around the Cape of Good Hope, an arduous journey which took four months on the average. In the 1840s, an overland rail route was established which made it possible for travellers to bypass the Cape of Good Hope all together. But it was not until the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869 and the arrival of the steamship, that travels to Asia assumed unprecedented style and luxury. Writers, actors, playwrights, the rich and the titled, in Europe and America, looked to the exotic East to satisfy their wanderlust. — The E & O Hotel

MORE IMAGES FROM OUR AFTERNOON TEA AND TOUR OF E & O HOTEL

Attention to detail can be seen at this colonial heritage — Eastern & Oriental Hotel, in Penang.

Suddenly, there was a new breed of travellers – the globetrotters. It was to meet the demands of the new affluent travellers that the Eastern & Oriental Hotel was born. Already renowned in Southeast Asia for their enterprise and business acumen, the Armenian Sarkies brothers, Martin and Tigran, settled down in Penang and established the Eastern Hotel in 1884. Encouraged by its success, they opened another hotel, the Oriental in 1885, on an adjacent piece of land facing the sea. — The E & O Hotel

Bicycles are a great way to explore what Penang has to offer and enjoy the sun at the same time. These colonial era bicycles remind me of what my grand parents used to own.

One of the many signature features of a colonial establishment is the wider than normal stairs (see photo below) that I first came across at Hotel Fort Canning, another fine example of colonial heritage in Singapore preserved.

Guests at the hotel lobby enjoying the afternoon in quiet conversation and tea.

Appropriately named Bombay Shop for the historical ties between the British and India, you can find a wealth of memorabilias including the E&O guide and cook book: Famous Street Food of Penang

The first room we inspected, I couldn’t not take my eyes off the landscape outside. Evidently, from this picture, everyone’s under the same spell too attracted by the gorgeous beach and pool combo.

Farquhar’s Bar is indeed famous for its unique character and none can arguably beat this bar’s cheery and friendly ambiance. A British pub offering excellent range of beers and traditional pub fare with a slice of colonial Malaya.

A colonial coffee shop that offers a wide selection of delicious local and international fare, where the choice is yours – à la carte or – help yourself to a little of everything in the spectacular buffet spread.

One of a number of suites that is magnificently furnished and extravagantly spacious, with sea or city view have round-the-clock butler service. The elegance of the suites is luxuriously alluring: an enchanted backdrop to dreamy days and ardent nights.

The 1885 offers classical yet contemporary cuisine in an elegant environment. The selection of inventive fusion dishes from our highly trained chefs, accompanied by a superb selection of wines, has marked The 1885 as the perfect choice for an enjoyable dining experience.

Traditional English High Tea @ 6 Star Eastern & Oriental Hotel. Loving the full flavoured orange vanilla tea! #Penang #fb

— Jan Shim (@JanShim) May 22, 2011

MORE IMAGES FROM OUR AFTERNOON TEA AND TOUR OF E & O HOTEL

The 1885 is where we had our traditional afternoon tea and a chance to catch up with our host to understand more about colonial influence and the celebrities that have graced this establishment.

The 1885 offers classical yet contemporary cuisine in an elegant environment celebrating the rich heritage of the E&O Hotel, from its beginnings in 1885 to the present day.

Besides English Tea, Eastern & Oriental Hotel gave each of us a copy of 'Famous Street Food of Penang' guide & cook book. Love it! #fb

— Jan Shim (@JanShim) May 22, 2011

We were each given a complimentary copy of this fantastic guide and cook book jointly published by E&O and Star Publications. Love the recipes and street pictures of Penang.

The glamour and elegance of a historic hotel makes it a perfect choice for a very important celebration and so happened there was a wedding banquet later that evening. Love the subtle distinction of white and purple at the all-important head table — all very elegant.

Fortune favours the prepared. Fortunate indeed to catch the bridal car whose colour matches its elegance.