IF Holiday Inn Kuching (HIK) was still in operation today, it would be marking a remarkable milestone: its 50th anniversary, half a century since it first opened its doors in 1976, as Sarawak’s pioneering international chain hotel.
Long before Kuching became the vibrant tourism gateway it is today, one hotel stood at the forefront of that transformation. The arrival of HIK in the mid-1970s did not just introduce international hospitality standards to Sarawak, it reshaped the city’s identity, workforce, and global outlook.
At the heart of this story is Swiss German, Peter Mueller, the man tasked with bringing the hotel to life. Recalling his early days, Mueller described a project filled with uncertainty, improvisation and grit. The building itself, the Holiday Inn Hotel, Kuching, opened in 1976, Borneo’s first international hotel.
At the Ex-Holiday Inn Kuching Staff 50th Anniversary celebration held on 5 April 2026, marking the historic opening date of July 12, 1976, former General Manager, Peter Mueller, reflected on the remarkable journey of what was once the first international hotel on the island of Borneo.
Describing the occasion as both personal and historic, he highlighted how the hotel began as a pioneering vision and grew into a symbol of excellence, driven by what he called ‘the best team ever’.
“This gathering is not only a celebration of shared memories, but a meaningful milestone in life, while also remembering colleagues who are no longer present.
“Through social media, I’ve been able to follow many of your journeys. It’s inspiring to see how far you’ve come, how disciplined you’ve become, and how proudly you still carry the Holiday Inn spirit. I am deeply proud of all of you, my team, then and always,” he said when speaking at the HIK Family’s Reunion Party – Celebrating 50th Years of Friendship on April 5.
He added, the site of the hotel, now known as Grand Margherita Hotel, was once a Borneo Company warehouse, chosen over an alternative hilltop location where the Hilton Kuching stands today.
Despite early construction delays involving river walls, the swimming pool, and lobby flooring, the hotel went on to achieve significant milestones.
Officially opened on 12 July 1976 by the Governor of Sarawak, the late Tun Datuk Patinggi Tuanku Bujang Tuanku Othman, the hotel later saw its extension launched in August 1985 by then Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, with current Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, who was the Assistant Minister for Regional Development and Community Development, in attendance at the time.
HIK quickly established itself as a hub of innovation and international recognition.
Among its notable achievements were hosting the original German Oktoberfest from Munich for 16 consecutive years; winning Sarawak’s first PATA Gold Award in 1989 for ‘Borneo: Asia’s Best Kept Secret’; introducing the ‘twinning concept’ linking Kuching, Damai Beach, and Miri; ‘Hotel of the Year 1989’ by Holiday Inns International Asia/Pacific; Sarawak Borneo destination awareness incorporating three Holiday Inns in Sarawak, which made them the dominant branding in the 1980’s,1990’s and to 2010’s.
As of today, all three management contracts have expired.
The hotel also played host to a wide range of international guests and events, including Malaysia Airlines cabin crew, the film crew of ‘Farewell to the King’, the Great British Circus, German TV productions, and international tennis celebrities.
It was also selected as the official venue for the Malaysian Rulers Conference, requiring a full hotel closure.
Beyond its walls, HIK broke new ground by catering events in remote jungle locations, long before infrastructure was developed. Staff and guests once travelled by boat to the future Damai Beach Resort, showcasing the hotel’s pioneering spirit.
The brand expanded further with the rebranding of Sheraton Damai into Holiday Inn Damai Beach Resort (HIRDB) in 1987, followed by the opening of Holiday Inn Miri (HIM) in January 1993.
Equally memorable were the hotel’s vibrant social and cultural contributions, from its staff magazine and football team with state-level connections, to bold initiatives like crocodile egg hatching by the poolside.
Its entertainment venues, including the Bionic Disco and Aquarius discotheque, became iconic nightlife destinations, while the Sunday Tea Dance set a new trend in social gatherings.
Looking back, Mueller emphasised that the true legacy of HIK lies not only in its achievements, but in the people who made it possible, a team whose spirit and camaraderie continue to stand the test of time.
The evening began at 6:00 pm with the guests arrival, followed by a welcome address by organising chair, HIK former Director of Sales & Marketing, Diana Chong and a special speech by the hotel’s first general manager, Mueller.
Then, a moment of silence was observed to honour colleagues who have passed on.
A highlight of the night was the 50th anniversary cake-cutting ceremony with pioneers from 1976, among them were Mueller, former HIK Financial Controller Kho Poh Liang, Sales Manager Noel Chai, F&B Manager Louis Liaw, Chong, Accounts Lau Yan, Financial Controller Secretary Nur Zarina @ Emelia Lehat, and F&B staff Gurdev Singh Cheema, followed by a toast to five decades of friendship.
Guests also enjoyed dinner, a nostalgic video presentation titled ‘Memories, of the Smiles We Left Behind’, and sharing sessions from former colleagues reflecting on their journeys.
The evening concludes with a group photo and a lively disco and karaoke session, ending at 10:30 pm.
“The reunion celebrates not just a milestone, but the enduring bonds and memories that continue to unite the Holiday Inn Kuching family,” says Chong.
Meanwhile, how HIK shaped lives beyond the hotel not only found in its milestones, but in the people it shaped, individuals whose values, discipline, and character continue to reflect the spirit of the hotel decades later.
For former staff, their time at HIK was more than just a job, it was a foundation for life.
Former F&B Manager, Louis Liaw, said HIK played a defining role in shaping both his personal and professional journey.
The experience strengthened his sense of responsibility and instilled in him values that continue to guide him today. It has taught him discipline, patience, and the importance of hard work, while building his confidence to take on future opportunities and challenges.
“Looking back, those years were more than just a career foundation; they were formative moments that shaped who I am today, both in how I work and how I carry myself in life,” he said.
Susan Kon, former Assistant Food & Beverage Manager, recalled how the strong emphasis on standard operating procedures (SOPs) became a guiding principle, not only in her career but in her everyday life.
She shared that the culture back then was built on courtesy, discipline, teamwork, and a deep commitment to service excellence.
“We were trained to deliver what we promised, and to go beyond. Customer satisfaction was everything. Many times, we stayed until the early hours just to ensure guests were well taken care of and would return,” she said.
She also highlighted the remarkable team spirit that defined the workplace. Support from managers, cooperation across departments, and a shared understanding of roles created a seamless and effective work environment, one that became a key pillar of HIK’s success.
Dorothy Kendu, former Food & Beverage Secretary, echoed similar sentiments, describing her journey as one that shaped both her personal and professional growth.
“Holiday Inn played a big role in developing who I am today. It strengthened my sense of responsibility and shaped me into someone more confident, patient, and hardworking, preparing me for the challenges ahead,” she said.
For Chong, who joined in 1976 when international hospitality was still new in Kuching, the journey was both challenging and deeply rewarding. Starting in Reservations, she rose through the ranks to become Director of Sales and Marketing for HIK and Damai Beach.
“It was not an easy journey, but it was one I truly enjoyed. The experience taught me discipline, teamwork, and the importance of treating everyone with respect, whether colleagues or guests,” said Chong, with her career later taking her to Holiday Inn Worldwide’s regional office in Hong Kong, where she realised that the professionalism, attention to detail, and commitment to excellence she carried with her were all rooted in her early years in Kuching.
“These values became part of my daily life; being punctual, considerate, and taking pride in everything I do. Holiday Inn didn’t just give me a career, it shaped how I live and how I connect with people,” she said and expressed her gratitude to Mueller, whose leadership and guidance played a significant role in her 24-year journey in the hospitality industry.
Wilhelmina Leong, fondly remembered her time beginning in 1983 as a receptionist at the front office. Her journey extended beyond the hotel, eventually taking her to Germany, where she built her life and family.
Among her cherished memories were participating in Miss Holiday Inn 1985, where she was first runner-up, and later Miss Tourism Malaysia 1986, also finishing as first runner-up.
“It was one of the best times of my younger years,” she shared, adding that reconnecting with former colleagues at the recent 50th reunion was a truly meaningful experience.
Datin Dayang Mariani Abang Zain, an NGO activist and among the early team members of HIK, reflected on her brief yet meaningful journey with the hotel during its formative years.
“Fifty years ago, I was part of the pioneering team, serving as the only Public Relations Executive at the time, alongside Chai in Sales and Emilia, our very first secretary. We were a small group, with limited experience, but we shared a strong sense of purpose,” she said.
She joined HIK at the end of 1978 before moving on in 1980 to the Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC), where she was entrusted to help establish the Public Relations department together with David Ling.
“Holiday Inn was then a subsidiary of SEDC, and being part of that early phase was truly special. Though my time there was short, it remains an experience of a lifetime,” she said.
Looking back at the recent 50th anniversary reunion, she expressed a heartfelt wish that more members of the pioneer group from 1976 to 1980 had been present.
“We were the backbone in those early days, a group with very little skills and knowledge, yet we managed to succeed in building Kuching’s first international hotel. That, in itself, is something we can always be proud of,” she added.
For former Sales Executive of HIK, and later Director of Sales at Holiday Inn Miri, Jacqueline David, her journey into hospitality began with a leap of faith, and a memorable lesson she never forgot.
Fresh out of university with a Business Studies degree, Jacqueline took an unexpected turn into the hospitality line, starting out as a telephone operator and receptionist.
“HIK truly groomed me into who I am today,” she shared. “But I must say, my training started very early… and quite dramatically.”
She recalled one particular moment with former General Manager Mueller, that still makes her smile.
“One day, Mueller called the operator room. It just happened to be my shift, and unfortunately, my ‘lucky’ day.
“At the end of the call, I casually said ‘OK’… and that was it,” she laughed and what followed was an unforgettable lesson in hospitality etiquette.
“He told me very firmly that saying ‘OK’ in the workplace is rude. From that day on, I never simply said ‘OK’ again!” she said, and added that there were many defining moments that shaped her professionalism.
Across generations, one thing remains clear. HIK was never just a workplace; it was a training ground for excellence, a community built on shared values, and a chapter that continues to shape lives long after the uniforms are put away.
