Rooms with a view

With its tranquil and scenic setting, the secluded and historysteeped Tai O Heritage Hotel in Hong Kong is just the place to chill out, writes Alan Teh Leam Seng

Feast while enjoying the colonial furniture at The Tai O Lookout restaurant.

THE boatman suddenly cuts power to the twin Yamaha outboard engines and skilfully steers his 10-seater launch towards the Tai O pier. Properly moored, he then gives the allclear signal for me to alight. I have been looking forward to visiting the Tai O Heritage Hotel for a long time already.

It is simply amazing to see the conservators successfully transform an old dilapidated colonial era police station at a far flung corner of modern Hong Kong into a beautiful boutique hotel. The hotel is steeped in history and reminds me of Hong Kong’s rich colonial past.

Its history goes back to 1902 during British colonial rule when a colonial edifice was built as a police station to guard the shore of Lantau Island.

The building served its purpose until 1996 when it ceased to operate as a police station and became a patrol post until 2002.

Seven years later, it went through restoration work under Batch I of the Development Bureau’s Revitalising Historic Buildings Through Partnership Scheme.

The revitalisation work by the Hong Kong Heritage Conservation Foundation involved its conversion into a nine-room boutique hotel, the Tai O Heritage Hotel.

In 2010, it was graded as a Grade II historic building by the Antiquities Advisory Board.

The place is secluded. I highly recommend it for honeymooners as well as those seeking solace from the maddening crowd.

The scenery is gorgeous, thanks to the hotel’s elevated position by the side of the hill.

The first thing to do is either purchase a pictorial hard cover book (HK$88/RM48) or browse through it at the reception area.

It is a very interesting read. It tells the history of the place right from the beginning. I set out to explore the rooms with the book in hand, comparing the before and after renovation effects.

Most of the rooms used to be offices

This building was built in 1902. Visit the Tai O village and see the locals drying the day’s catch in the sun.

for the Hong Kong Marine Police. All nine rooms have unobstructed views of the surrounding Pearl River estuary and nearby Tai O fishing village.

The rooms are not numbered but named after famous marine police vessels, significant places of attraction on the island and marine police rankings.

I like the plaques placed outside each room explaining their former usage. My favourite is the Eagle’s Point family room which served as the canteen in the past.

Walking along the corridors and peeking into the rooms make my imagination run wild. It is like taking a step back in time.

Prior to Hong Kong’s return to China in 1997, this was a protected area. The guard towers were constantly manned while search lights lit up the shores each time an intruder was detected.

Its only restaurant, Tai O Lookout, is named after the round guard tower just next to the exit.

In the past, marine police were stationed here to guard against pirate activities. I like the colonial furniture which previously belonged to the China Tee Club.

The menu boasts a wide selection of dishes using local Tai O produce like shrimp paste and Mountain Begonia. Those visiting during the weekends can try the all-youcan-eat BBQ dinner. The highlights include freshly caught seafood like king prawn, garoupa and squid.