Farewell to the Excelsior Hong Kong (and the Dickens Bar in particular)
Oct 9, 2018, 12:01 pm
#17
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: London
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Oct 9, 2018, 1:45 pm
#19
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: United Kingdom
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 383
When completed in 1972 The Excelsior had BOAC as an equity partner alongside Jardines, so this really was BA in HK. I've stayed there half a dozen times over the last 20+ years and usually saw BA Crew in the Dickens Bar. When working in the travel trade many moons ago I bumped into Roger Balchin (our BA Rep.) in reception at The Excelsior, seemed the natural place to find him strangely. AIUI Jardines took quite a few years to decide what to do with the hugely valuable land, a tender to sell for a ridiculous amount (£Billions) to a third party recently fell through. In the end presumably a major redevelopment will be done and totally change the Causeway Bay area in the process. The Excelsior was definitely the shabbiest hotel within The Mandarin Oriental portfolio, presumably because of the issue(s) of what to do and how to do it with "Lot 1."
ADDENDUM I kept wondering where I'd read the above background! Seemingly : The Hongkong Land Company A brief history, 1979, Nigel Cameron, pg 50: -
ADDENDUM I kept wondering where I'd read the above background! Seemingly : The Hongkong Land Company A brief history, 1979, Nigel Cameron, pg 50: -
World Trade Centre Complex
Much more ambitious in scale was another venture in the same year (1970). The Company joined with Jardine's, Trust House Forte, The Bank of East Asia, British Airways, City Hotels Limited, and the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, to develop Marine Lot 52. This was part of a lot belonging to Jardine's which had formed a portion of their East Point properties since the very first days of their activities in Hong Kong in the 1840s. On this splendid waterfront site was developed the Excelsior Hotel, in a district very much on the map with the construction of the Cross-Harbour Tunnel, the first for vehicular traffic, due to surface in close proximity. This first class hotel with it's 1,000 rooms and many public facilities, was completed in August 1972, coinciding with the opening of the tunnel. The Company took a 26 percent interest in East Point Hotels Ltd., the owners of the hotel.
Much more ambitious in scale was another venture in the same year (1970). The Company joined with Jardine's, Trust House Forte, The Bank of East Asia, British Airways, City Hotels Limited, and the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, to develop Marine Lot 52. This was part of a lot belonging to Jardine's which had formed a portion of their East Point properties since the very first days of their activities in Hong Kong in the 1840s. On this splendid waterfront site was developed the Excelsior Hotel, in a district very much on the map with the construction of the Cross-Harbour Tunnel, the first for vehicular traffic, due to surface in close proximity. This first class hotel with it's 1,000 rooms and many public facilities, was completed in August 1972, coinciding with the opening of the tunnel. The Company took a 26 percent interest in East Point Hotels Ltd., the owners of the hotel.
Last edited by clansey1973; Oct 10, 2018 at 8:34 am Reason: References siting facts added
Oct 9, 2018, 2:35 pm
#23
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges and Environmentally Friendly Travel
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: London, UK
Posts: 22,212
I have very fond memories of this hotel. I had no idea of the historical connection to BOAC. It is a bit shabby chic but I just kinda like it. A great location for me, lovely staff who always go the extra mile for BA Gold card holders.
Oct 10, 2018, 5:24 am
#24
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: London
Programs: BA Silver IHG Platinum Elite
Posts: 177
I saw Tony Hancock perform their when I was 21 in the mid sixties. I have to report that he appeared drunker than us young blokes out for a convivial evening. As a callow youth I have to confess I preferred the Hilton night club in the basement. That hotel also long since gone.....
Oct 10, 2018, 6:03 am
#25
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: London-Venice
Programs: BA Gold, *A Gold
Posts: 189
Same here. I remember waking up on Christmas Day 1993 to no traffic and it felt very weird
Oct 10, 2018, 5:17 pm
#28
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Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Home: East Mids UK - Work (Base): Accra, Ghana.
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Oct 10, 2018, 7:52 pm
#29
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 7,464
BA crews in HKG do typically enjoy themselves downroute, which is good to see, since HKG is also one of my favourite cities. One time, I do remember doing some sort of karaoke with a few BA crew members in the wee small hours at a bar in LKF about 8 or 9 years ago. A great time was had by all.
Oct 11, 2018, 12:09 am
#30
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,797
It was supposed to go in 2016 but was granted a stay of execution. I don't mind it going much, it was a tired old place frequented by tired old businessmen. I remember being very surprised when i found out it was a Marriott hotel. Anyway, many of the airline crew moved to a hotel just round the corner, so it wont make much difference to them.