Staying at Ren I Tang Heritage Inn brings back many childhood memories. Not that I grew up in Penang but this old-world charming building reminds me so much of the old shops and places of my childhood. "Ren i Tang" is the phonetic presentation in Mandarin of South East Asia’s oldest Chinese Medical Hall Wholesaler, Yin Oi Tong which is translated as “The Hall of Benevolence”. Isn’t that grand? “Hall of Benevolence” sounds very much like something from a Qing Imperial Palace! Here’s … [Read more...]
FARQUHAR’S BAR & JAVA TREE @ The E&O Hotel, Penang
FARQUHAR’S BAR We love the remodelled Farquhar’s Bar in the E&O Hotel Penang. There’s such a sense of old-world charm and luxury here. Plush leather sofas, panelled walls, chandeliers and gilded framed pictures on the walls and a fully-stocked bar in the centre… everything oozes understated classiness. We settled ourselves comfortably at a table facing the sea and indulged in some of the bar’s signature concoctions. Aged Negroni - handcrafted gin, campari, … [Read more...]
English Afternoon Tea & Dining at PALM COURT, E&O Hotel Penang
With the reopening of the E&O Hotel’s refreshed Heritage Wing late last year, 3 new dining outlets, namely Java Tree, Palm Court and Farquhar’s Bar were introduced. Replacing the previous Sarkies and 1885 are Java Tree and Palm Court, while a remodelled Farquhar’s Bar has been unveiled in a new location at the Heritage Wing. Just a few steps to the left of the Heritage Wing’ main entrance is Palm Court, named after the previous Palm Court Bar which used to operate at the lobby … [Read more...]
The Eastern & Oriental Hotel Penang – Experience The Heritage Wing
The Eastern & Oriental Hotel (E&O) stands majestically along Farquhar Street in Penang and each time I pass by it, I’m always awestruck by its elegant beauty. My fascination with the E&O started way back in the 1970’s when I first stayed in this grand hotel. Yes, it was grand, even back then when I was nothing more than a kid. In fact, it made such a great impression on me that I can still recall how I stood at the window facing the sea, feeling the sea breeze on my … [Read more...]
CLANS KONGSI, Georgetown, Penang
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to live in the olden days? The Main Entrance, along Cannon Street Recently, we had a taste of old-world charm in unique ancestral homes which had been lovingly restored and now converted into boutique residences known as the Clans Kongsi in Georgetown, Penang. In what is known as the “Sixteen Houses”, the Khoo Clansmen built these back in the 1860’s to house families coming from their ancestral Sin Gang Village in the Southern Fujian Province of China. … [Read more...]
Fish Noodles @ WONG CHAU JUN RESTAURANT, PENANG
We needed a quick breakfast before heading back to KL and Wong Chau Jun popped into my mind. I’ve heard about their fish noodles and we were in the mood for something hot and soupy. Wong Chau Jun Restaurant, located along Rangoon Road is always busy but we were lucky that day as there were still a couple of tables available when we reached the place. It’s a typical local kopitiam with photos of their dishes all plastered on the walls. We ordered a bowl of their signature Spicy Sour … [Read more...]
HOLIDAY INN RESORT PENANG is perfect for family holidays! WIN a 3D/2N Stay from PUREGLUTTON
Do you know how long “Holiday Inn” has been around, globally? This brand is certainly well-known. I mean, I have heard about Holiday Inn since I was very young – of course, back then I never got to stay in any hotels simply because we could not afford it. When I was a kid, I used to think that only the very rich can afford to stay in hotels. Holiday Inn is a mid-scale hotel brand, probably the best and most well-known in the world. It has been around for 63 years and that’s something to … [Read more...]
Four Points by Sheraton Penang
Four Points by Sheraton Penang is located at an excellent spot. It’s just 15 minutes away from Georgetown and it’s along Tanjung Bungah with the sea just a few steps away. See, that’s really getting the best of both worlds: sea views and yet close enough to the city centre. The 220-room hotel offers uncomplicated comfort and simplistic charm from the lobby to the grand ballroom. The moment we turned in to the hotel’s main entrance, we were immediately greeted and assisted by the hotel … [Read more...]
Ah Boy Kwayteow T’ng, Penang
Have you heard about this stall? Apparently most of the locals in Penang want to keep this secret. In a recent trip up north to Penang, we were told to search for this place along Argyll Road. So the Sunday before we left the island, we dutifully drove along Argyll Road looking out for a push cart that reputedly serves one of the best Kwayteow T’ng on the island. As we took the turn-off from Penang Road and drove down Argyll Road (which is a one-way street), we couldn’t spot any cart. … [Read more...]
Afternoon Tea @ 1885, The Eastern & Oriental Hotel, Penang
So where would you go, in Penang, if you wish to have a quiet tête à tête with your best friend over a traditional English Afternoon Tea? Why … to 1885, of course. 1885 – named for the year that The Eastern & Oriental (The E&O) Hotel was established, is a classic colonial-style dining venue located along the corridor linking the Victory Annexe to the Heritage Wing. Everything about the place oozes traditional colonial charm - from the curved doorways to the elegantly paneled … [Read more...]
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