Hotel Merlin [1962-1982] | Gwulo: Old Hong Kong

Hotel Merlin [1962-1982]

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Submitted by Admin on Sun, 2009-10-11 21:53
Current condition: 
Demolished / No longer exists
Date Place completed: 
1962-01-01
Date Place demolished: 
1982-01-01
Tags: 
hotel
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Photos that show this place

1960
1963
1968
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Comments

Submitted by David on Mon, 2009-10-12 16:35.

I found a couple of mentions on the internet:

  • 1964. Advertised on pg 5 of this Masonic gazette. The advert says the hotel is part of 'Merlin Hotels (Malaysia) Limited', which also includes a second Hotel Merlin in Kuala Lumpur, and the Cameron Highlands Hotel.
  • 1970. Curtiss Scott Englehorn wrote a couple of letters home from the Hotel Merlin, while in Hong Kong on an R'n'R break from Vietnam.

Any other information out there about this hotel?

Submitted by Admin on Tue, 2009-12-29 16:35.

Vanessa notes this was one of the hotels used by government employees and their families while waiting for accomodation to become ready.

Submitted by annelisec on Fri, 2010-02-19 02:26.

I remember staying at the Hotel Merlin in 1970 en route to the US.  My family stayed there as we were passing back through for a week in HK after a nine month stint in Thailand. After just an hour on Nathan road, our nose hairs were black from the filthy air.  Clean air ?  Hah.  Not if you lived in TST or Mong Kok.

Submitted by David on Tue, 2010-09-21 18:07.

Notes from history page of HSH website:

  • 1981: Agreed to purchase the Merlin Hotel in Kowloon.
  • 1982: Purchase of Merlin Hotel completed and building demolished.

Submitted by David on Sat, 2010-10-02 13:52.

Google Books entry for "Commerce, industry, finance: the official guide and directory on commerce, industry and finance in the British Crown Colony of Hong Kong" shows:

New hotels which opened in 1962 were the Park (450 rooms) and the Merlin with 180 rooms, both in Kowloon. Hotels to be opened this year include the 660-room Mandarin and the 1,000 room Hongkong Hilton on the Island, the 800-room President and the 166-room Empress in Kowloon.

Submitted by Enrico E. RAMPINELLI (not verified) on Mon, 2011-05-16 20:46.

This fine hotel was situated corner Nathan Road and close to the old Kowloon Train Station. I was staying there in 1963 before boarding a train at Kowloon Station to Lowu, crossing the bridge by foot and, after customs control and immigration, boarding a chinese train to Kanton. Outside the Merlin Hotel one could hire a Rikshah for shopping tours in Kowloon.

Submitted by philk on Mon, 2013-10-07 21:17.

In 1963, the hotel was used as a temporary production office by Richard Brooks and co whilst they were filming Lord Jim.

Submitted by masang on Thu, 2014-02-06 18:10.
Indeed used by HK Govt for accommodating Govt servants pre/post vacation leave(overseas).Myself and very many single colleagues(RHKP)spent several months in the Merlin from about Aug-Nov 1970-whilst awaiting the opening of the new Homantin Hill Rd Service Flats(for single Govt servants).The downstairs bar at the Merlin remained a favourite for many thru' the 70's.

Submitted by harryhktc on Sun, 2014-11-23 19:45.

Well remember the Merlin. Was a stopover venue for US press correspondents travelling to and from Vietnam. Bought my first rather battered black Leica M3 in the bar there from a war photographer short of cash to settle his booze bill.

H.