Damages may be sought over guests' accommodation
The owner of a Mong Kok hotel that closed on Wednesday after being taken over by the Bank of East Asia over an unpaid loan has accused the bank of being 'irresponsible' and 'cold blooded' in forcing guests to leave.
The 108-room budget Tatami Hampton Hotel may seek damages from the bank for failing to ensure that more than 100 guests found suitable alternative accommodation, owner Labour Buildings said.
'Under no circumstances can Bank of East Asia and the bailiffs drive hotel guests away,' Labour Buildings said in a statement posted at the hotel entrance yesterday.
'The bank's right to possession does not mean it can cold-bloodedly drive away hotel guests.'
A spokesman for the bank said it was not responsible for the hotel's closure and regretted the inconvenience caused to guests. The bank first told Labour Buildings it intended to repossess the property in March. A complaint had been filed with the police, the spokesman said.
However, the hotel's senior manager said in the statement both the bank and the bailiffs had agreed to ensure that all guests would be moved to suitable accommodation. Only then did hotel staff vacate the premises. The statement said the fact that guests were not properly taken care of was unexpected. 'The bailiffs are also the agents of the owner of the hotel building and should act responsibly to each hotel guest. They must preserve the image of the hotel industry,' the statement said.