Media
Do Not Open Until 2145. E&O Hotel Marks Anniversary With Time Capsule
25 November 2015
Penang, 25 November 2015 – A treasure chest holding a personal note from the present hotel chief, a book chronicling the history of South East Asia’s grand dame of heritage hotels as well as specially-curated hotel memorabilia will travel through time to be unlocked a hundred and thirty years later.
It was a moving scene at the Cornwallis Suite in the Eastern & Oriental Hotel (E&O Hotel) as the operations team and hotel regulars witnessed E&O Berhad group hospitality and lifestyle director Michael Saxon placing his personal note to the future management into the time capsule.
Also included into the time capsule were a book by Ilsa Sharp entitled “The E&O Hotel – Pearl of Penang”, a E&O Hotel 130th anniversary commemorative stamp sheet as well as selected hotel merchandise.
This meaningful gesture commemorates the 130th anniversary of the E&O Hotel, a cherished icon in Penang and a historical landmark in the George Town UNESCO World Heritage Site buffer zone.
Members of the media also participated in the ceremony, which saw them placing their respective newsprints of the day into the treasure chest, making the occasion even more significant.
Saxon said in his note, he had shared his fond memories of Penang and of the hotel, in particular.
“Although the team will not be around to witness the unsealing of the time capsule in year 2145, I hope that in the good hands of its future management the E&O Hotel will continue to thrive as a treasured Penang icon for generations to come,” he said before sealing the time capsule securely with padlocks.
The time capsule was later moved to the hotel’s heritage wing lobby for display.
On a separate note, Saxon said the hotel’s 130th anniversary lucky draw contest for one year free dining would end soon and the lucky winner would be announced on the hotel Facebook page eohotels.
“Those who have yet to participate in the contest may want to do so before it ends.
“On Dec 1, we will also be holding our annual holiday tradition, the Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony,” he said.