Pit stop for the famous

Hotel has played host to many popular figures and international stars

SINCE its opening in 1973, Hotel Equatorial Kuala Lumpur has seen many prominent figures. One prominent personality was boxing legend Joe Bugner who stayed there in 1975 for the much anticipated boxing match against Muhammad Ali.

“I remember that day well as the city was gearing for the big fight which was to take place at Stadium Merdeka,’’ said hotel food and beverage director G. Balam.

“That time Joe (Bugner) was staying with us, while Muhammad Ali was staying next door at the then KL Hilton (now Crowne Plaza Hotel Kuala Lumpur) and it was an exciting time for us,’’ Balam said.

Apart from Bugner, celebrities such as Boney M, Donny Osmond, Salman Khan, Hong Kong stars like Chow Yun Fatt, Alan Tam, Jacky Cheung have stayed in the hotel,’’ he added.

“When Donny Osmond was staying here, we had a hard time trying to keep the girls out of the hotel. They were everywhere and we had to sneak him (Osmond) out through the back door,’’ Balam recalled.

Balam also pointed out that apart from the hotel, the KL skyline has changed a lot throughout the years.

“This place used to be nothing but an orchard with rambutan and coconut trees. And the only building here back then was Hilton KL, Equatorial KL and Merlin. Today, the skyline looks so different,’’ Balam said.

Sylvia Chong, who started working at the hotel 31 years ago said she used walk home every night to her room in Tung Shin a few kilometres away.

“At that time, we were not worried about getting robbed or raped. It was safe then,’’ she said.