Tai O Heritage Hotel celebrates its rich tapestry of history and culture

In a regeneration of the old Tai O Police Station established 120 years ago to combat pirates, the Tai O Heritage Hotel celebrates its 10th anniversary this year as it looks back on the close relationship it has forged with the local community.

The Old Tai O Police Station was revitalized by the Hong Kong Heritage Conservation Foundation (HCF) into the Tai O Heritage Hotel, which opened in March 2012 and operated as a not-for-profit social enterprise. Classically elegant, the hotel is known for its mixed colonial and Chinese architectural features, and is home to nine colonial-style rooms, a Heritage Interpretation Center and a glass-roofed, open-view restaurant named Tai O Lookout.

Since its opening in 2012, the Hotel has received over 1.7 million local and overseas visitors. Besides offering a comfortable and sophisticated accommodation experience for guests, it has provided free daily guided tours for the general public and charitable organizations, and organized an array of community activities, including eco-tours.

While the Old Tai O Police Station was established in the early 20th century to protect Tai O Village from pirates prevalent in the neighboring waters then, the revitalized hotel now plays an equally important role in supporting the welfare and development of the local community, acting as a bridge to link it with the rest of Hong Kong.

“We, the Tai O Heritage Hotel, have been an integral part of the Tai O Village through thick and thin,” notes Melanie Kwok, Assistant General Manager (Sustainability) of HCF. “We are connected as one big family.”

The Tai O Heritage Hotel has, for many years, been working hand-in-hand with the local community in preserving its unique heritage, by recording its history, tradition, customs and the many remarkable stories that make up the collective memories of the Tai O community. “We are not concerned merely with conservation of historical buildings, but more importantly, we make every effort to preserve its cultural heritage,” Kwok elaborates. “We would like to encourage more people to know more about Tai O, and share in the fascination of its rich history.”

As part of a concerted effort to pass on this legacy to the next generation, the Hong Kong Heritage Conservation Foundation has launched a ‘Hospitality Young Leaders Programme’ which provides aspiring local graduates with a platform to learn practical and professional skills about hospitality and eco-tourism, and gain valuable exposure to heritage conservation.

Joyce, who took Psychology and Urban Governance as her major in university, joined the programme after graduation. “I immersed seamlessly into the village life soon after I joined the programme,” she recalls. “I’d describe my relationship with Tai O villagers as more than just friends. They accepted me with open arms and would often invite me for dinner at their houses; we also celebrated various festivals together and enjoyed one another’s company. It’s a real blessing!”

Karl Law, manager of Tai O Heritage Hotel, describes the hotel as a place filled with human warmth. “Whenever we are under threat of typhoons, our staff would join hands to distribute emergency packages to elderly villagers living in stilt houses. They know they can always count on us to lend a helping hand.”

Oanh, housekeeper of Tai O Heritage Hotel, recounts the heart-warming experience of guests returning to the hotel for them with homemade cakes and desserts. “I really feel grateful that the Tai O villagers take pride in our hotel,” she adds. “The elder villagers would even recommend their grandchildren returning from overseas to stay in our hotel. The hotel is truly an icon of Tai O.”

2022 is an especially meaningful year for the Tai O Heritage Hotel as it celebrates its 10th anniversary and the 120th anniversary of the Old Tai O Police Station Building, as well as the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. A special ceremony was held on 11 June to highlight this milestone.

Looking to the future, the Tai O Heritage Hotel reaffirms its commitment to supporting the local community, promoting sustainable development, and conserving its heritage, adds Melanie.

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