Fodor's Expert Review Eastern & Oriental Hotel

The same people responsible for grand hotels like The Raffles in Singapore and The Strand in Yangon established the Eastern & Oriental Hotel in 1885, and upon arrival today, guests feel as if they've stepped through a time machine as they're greeted by doormen in knee-high socks and brimmed hats. The hotel has two wings, the 100-suite historical wing, part of the original hotel, and the 132-suite Victory Annexe, which opened in 2012. Steeped in history and old-world charm, the E & O brings the British colonial era to life. Persian carpets cover teak wooden floors in the sitting rooms, and Egyptian cotton linens cover the four-poster beds. Views from the rooms in the historical wing vary from the Strait of Malacca to the courtyard's manicured lawns. The Victory Annexe suites, which have private balconies and a modern-classic design, overlook the Andaman Sea.