YHA MEI HO HOUSE YOUTH HOSTEL WINS UNESCO HONOURABLE MENTION 2015
SPECIAL DISCOUNT FOR ALL HONGKONGERS
Revitalized from the city’s only surviving Mark I H-shaped resettlement block, and managed by Hong Kong Youth Hostels Association in a non-profit manner, YHA Mei Ho House Youth Hostel was honorably awarded with Honourable Mention, UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation on 1 September 2015, making it the third awarded project of the “Revitalising Historic Buildings through Partnership Scheme”, after the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD Hong Kong) and Tai O Heritage Hotel.
To share the exceptional joy with all Hong Kong residents, from now till 31 October 2016, all HKID holders can enjoy special discount on accommodation at YHA Mei Ho House Youth Hostel (except dormitory beds): $499/night for Twin/Double Room with breakfast for 2 (originally $780-$1,280); $999/night for Family Room with breakfast for 4 (originally $1,515-$2,335), simply by congratulating the hostel on winning the UNESCO Honourable Mention Award when making reservations via telephone, email, Facebook inbox or in person. Maximum duration of stay is 14 nights while the offer is not applicable to blackout dates from 1-6 October 2015.
A set of special-edition postcards will also be given to these guests upon check-in as a premium gift. Limited offer while stocks last.
Beating 36 projects, YHA Mei Ho House Youth Hostel is among 12 winning projects from five countries, India, China, Lao PDR, Australia and Thailand. This year the Jury, consisting of 8 international conservation experts, awarded one Award of Excellence, two Awards of Distinction, four Awards of Merit, four Honourable Mentions and one Award for New Design in Heritage Contexts.
Tim Curtis, chair of the jury and chief of UNESCO Bangkok’s Culture Unit, believed that the transformation of the abandoned Mei Ho House into a youth hostel and heritage museum has successfully extended the life of the territory’s first public housing complex.
“The conservation work is commendable for its nuanced approach to retaining the hallmarks of period architecture while sensitively inserting contemporary amenities catering to the building’s new function.” Curtis said.
He added that “The restoration of the Mei Ho House has preserved an important chapter in the social history of Hong Kong and demonstrated the enduring value of the Modern typology of social housing.”
He was particularly impressed with the project’s contribution on the sustainable development of the Shek Kip Mei community, highlighting the formation of the vibrant Mei Ho House Alumni Network which has been formed to reunite former residents and archive their stories through oral history interviews. Through permanent and thematic exhibitions in Heritage of Mei Ho House, the museum, the project aims to pass on the precious historical, cultural, architectural and humanistic values embodied by Mei Ho House.
Special discount for all Hongkongers at YHA Mei Ho House Youth Hostel
| Period: | 10 September 2015 – 31 October 2015, not including 1-6 October 2015 |
| Offer: | $499/night for Twin/Double Room with breakfast for 2 (originally $780-$1,280); $999/night for Family Room with breakfast for 4 (originally $1,515-$2,335) |
| Plus a set of hostel postcards as a premium gift. (Limited while stocks last & Not applicable to dormitory beds) | |
| Redemption method: | Enjoy the offer by congratulating the hostel on winning the “UNESCO Honourable Mention Award” when making reservations |
| Booking methods: | Hotline: (852) 3728 3550 |
| Email: [email protected] | |
| Facebook: Inbox message to “YHAMHH” | |
| In-person: Block 41, Shek Kip Mei Estate, Sham Shui Po, Kowloon (Sham Shui Po MTR Station Exit B2) | |
| Remarks: | HKID must be presented upon check-in; Maximum duration of stay: 14 nights |
About the UNESCO award
The UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation were established in 2000 to recognize and encourage private efforts and public-private initiatives in successfully restoring structures of heritage value in the region. The winning projects have set high technical and social standards for conservation in the region. They have increased local preservation efforts, inspiring local communities to take action to save their historic buildings.
About YHA Mei Ho House Youth Hostel
Mei Ho House, built in 1954 to rehouse the fire victims, is the only 1st generation H-shaped public housing resettlement block still standing in Hong Kong. In February 2009, Hong Kong Youth Hostels Association (HKYHA) was selected as a partner of Batch I of the “Revitalising Historic Buildings Through Partnership Scheme” of the Development Bureau to convert this grade 2 historic building, into a city hostel.
The revitalized YHA Mei Ho House Youth Hostel is equipped with 129 rooms including nostalgic themed rooms, a retro-styled café and a convenience store, allowing guests to experience the unique local culture. Meanwhile, Heritage of Mei Ho House, a museum in the hostel, takes visitors through the history of Sham Shui Po through a series of interactive displays and 1:1 sample units, allowing visitors to get a grasp of the development of early public housing in Hong Kong, free of charge.
About Hong Kong Youth Hostels Association (HKYHA)
Established in 1973, the Hong Kong Youth Hostels Association (HKYHA) is a non-profit organisation with no political or religious background, and is governed by an Executive Committee made up of individuals from all walks of Hong Kong society. HKYHA is a member of the International Youth Hostel Federation, joining forces with around 90 member countries and regions.
HKYHA currently operates 7 hostels across Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories. With different character, each hostel serves as a platform to encourage backpackers to explore the world, learn from each other and experience unique travel cultures.
Media Enquiry:
Department of Marketing & Development, Hong Kong Youth Hostels Association
Tel: 3728 3532