Shangri-La Rasa Sayang staff dressing up their Christmas tree with old photos from the 1970s to celebrate the resort’s 50th anniversary. — Photos: LIM BENG TAT/The Star
Hotels on Penang island have dressed up their spaces to spread festive cheer too.
A sea of multi-coloured baubles bring a sparkle to the Garden Wing lobby of Shangri-La Rasa Sayang, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
This saw the resort dressing up one Christmas tree with unique ornaments – photo frames depicting the property during its early days in 1973.
“We set up a special photo gallery to commemorate the milestone and picked some of the most nostalgic images to add to the tree to tie both celebrations together,” said the hotel’s director of communications Datuk Suleiman Abdul Rahman.
They also embraced the spirit of giving and sharing by having charity sales of mini teddy bears to raise funds for Shan Children’s Home in Mount Erskine.
“Guests would get to put the bears on our trees and add a personal touch to the decorations,” Suleiman added.
Eastern and Oriental (E&O) Hotel’s 6m-tall tree at the Heritage Wing lobby sports traditional red and gold through matching baubles, ribbons and gift boxes.
E&O Hotel staff adding lights to golden reindeer in front of the giant gingerbread house.
Over 300 guests attended its lighting-up ceremony, with general manager Alison Fraser doing the honours.
Complementing that is a giant gingerbread house with picket fence and golden reindeer at the Victory Annexe lobby.
The Granite Luxury Hotel went for a Monopoly-themed Christmas to celebrate the property being featured on the Penang edition of the board game.
A 24m-stretch of back lane in front of its Onyx Wing has come alive with trees of various sizes, toy soldiers, poinsettia and figures of Milburn Pennybags, better known as the game’s mascot Mr Monopoly.
There are also life-sized property lots from the recently- launched edition.
Two children on life-sized property plots from the Monopoly Penang edition that are part of The Granite Luxury Hotel’s Christmas decorations.
Datuk Albert Moh, managing director of M Summit Group which built and operated the hotel, said it was a tribute to the wholesome fun the game had brought since its introduction in 1935.
He, too, has fond memories of playing Monopoly with his siblings.
“When the paper money got crumpled, we made our own using manila cards.
“It is a good way to teach the young about buying and selling real estate,” Moh said during the lighting ceremony. — By JEREMY TAN
