The closing of The Excelsior Hong Kong – a farewell in pictures
As The Excelsior hotel closes its doors on March 31, we take a look at some of the events in the property’s remarkable history.
The Excelsior was built on Plot 1, the first plot of land sold after Hong Kong became a British colony in 1841.
The Excelsior was touted as the tallest hotel in Hong Kong. It was announced by landowner Jardine Matheson in 1970, to coincide with the opening of the Cross-Harbour Tunnel, connecting Hong Kong Island with Kai Tak Airport by road.
On May 25, 1972, construction was disrupted when the sixth floor caught on fire.
Officially opened in February 1973, the hotel was a symbol of opulence.
Top of the Town, the hotel’s lounge and bar that came to be known as Tott’s, was seen as a sophisticated watering hole.
International celebrity guests soon started to arrive at The Excelsior once it opened. One of the first was Morey Amsterdam from CBS’s Dick Van Dyke Show.
The United Kingdom’s Prince Charles was one of the most high-profile guests to stay at The Excelsior during its heyday.
Most notably, the hotel was used as a set for the film Revenge of the Pink Panther in 1975.
The hotel put up the crew and also featured in the movie.
The Excelsior played host to many significant events, such as government land auctions.
It also hosted everything from international chess competitions …
... to celebrity tennis matches.
The Excelsior was also a leader in the tourism industry, and began providing international call services from guest rooms in 1990.
It launched one of the first salad bars in town.
The hotel saw some of the biggest New Year’s Eve parties in Hong Kong, with festivities frequently spilling outdoors as guests danced the night away.
The hotel’s Chinese restaurant, Yee Tung Heen, received many accolades throughout the years.
Tott’s was a popular favourite for its happy hour and glorious views of the city.
The next time someone looks out at this view, it will be through the windows of an office building.
We’re going to miss this larger-than-life Hong Kong icon …
… but it had a magnificent run.
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We say a fond goodbye to the iconic waterfront property in Causeway Bay that was a major landmark of Hong Kong’s colonial past