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Lisa Cam

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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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 …

via GIPHY

… but it had a magnificent run.
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The closing of The Excelsior Hong Kong – a farewell in pictures

The iconic Excelsior Hong Kong closes its doors on March 31. Photo: Martin Chan

A corner of an executive suite in the Excelsior Hotel in Causeway Bay.

A variety of choices...The salad bar of the Excelsior Grill restaurant at the Excelsior Hotel in Causeway Bay.

Actresses Amy Yip Chi-mei (left) and Lam Kin-ming introducing an international voice service call at the Excelsior hotel in Causeway Bay.

A film crew shooting the movie "Revenge of the Pink Panther" at the lobby of the Excelsior hotel. 10FEB78

Prince Charles visiting he Excelsior Hotel, circa 1979. CREDIT: The Excelsior Hotel

Black smoke billows from the nearly-complete Excelsior Hotel while the hotel is on fire.

interior of Yee Tung Heen, to be used in Good Eating March 05, SR

Celebrities dancing outside the Excelsior hotel in Causeway Bay to celebrate the coming of the New Year.

Although two lots of land, one in Stanley and the other in Sha Tin, were sold at prices two to three times lower than similar lots would have fetched two years ago, the Government Land Agent, Mr Bob Pope, said that he was "very happy" with the sale. Pictured here is one of those attending the auction at the Excelsior Hotel making a bid by raising his arm.

The entrance to Tott's in the Excelsior Hotel, Causeway Bay. 21NOV14 [18DECEMBER2014 25+ 48HRS]

Pictured here is actor-producer Morey Amsterdam at the Excelsior hotel.

A lounge bar inside the Excelsior Hotel in Causeway Bay. 18JAN89

“Revenge of the Pink Panther” shot at The Excelsior Hotel. Peter Sellers is in the hat, circa 1975. CREDIT: The Excelsior Hotel

An international chess competition held at the Excelsior hotel. 14DEC77

Black and white photo. Aerial shot of Causeway Bay showing both Excelsior Hotel and Cross Harbour Tunnel under construction. 2 May 1972 SCMP/ C.Y. Yu

View from Tott's, The Excelsior Hotel

Exterior of the Excelsior Hotel in Causeway Bay. 21FEB19 [FEATURES] SCMP / Winson Wong

Credit: The Excelsior hotel1846 site

Ms Phyllis Loch, and local TV star Cora Miao (centre) and singer George Lam (left) posing with a giant racket in the Excelsior Hotel during the Charity Tennis Challenge Day sponsored by Cathay Pacific Airways. 23JUN79 SCMP / Chan Yuen-man

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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


Hong Kong property

Old Hong Kong