Hotel Stationery: The Langham Hong Kong

Written By Jeremy .

Hong Kong is a city steeped in history, culture, and cuisine. There's a certain, captivating beat to it—millions moving through vein-like streets, all twisted together, powering one of the most densely populated places on earth. It's been ten years since my last visit. Old friends and restaurants I have not returned to sit with me more than I’d like to admit. My parents, on their last visit, offered to bring some souvenirs to soothe the longing. Hong Kong has egg tarts, char siu puffs, and sweets that have no business being as good as it is. I asked them to get me some hotel stationery.

I imagine that when my parents explained the stationery was for their child, the staff pictured an actual child. Not a grown adult with opinions about optimal gsm and texture. An actual child, small and sticky-fingered, expecting a colouring book. The evidence supports this. The stationery arrived in a pink envelope, and some of the stationery inside had clearly seen some things. What's missing is a sticker.

Thankfully, the memo pad was in excellent condition.

The memo pad arrived unscathed. Unfortunately, the A4 paper and letter envelope did not share the same fate

The Langham, Hong Kong—Memo Pad

Nothing about this memo pad tries to win you over. The proportions are familiar, and the construction is what you’d expect: a small pad with ten sheets—enough to survive a short stay’s worth of souvenirs-to-buy, directions relayed over the phone, and “what was the reservation name again?” details.

With my control setup (Montblanc 149, medium, Pelikan Royal Blue), the ink bleeds through, but it doesn’t feather. Ink immediately disappears into the fibers when put down, no pooling whatsoever. Translation: fountain pens are usable as long as you accept it as a front-page-only relationship.

Pelikan’s Royal Blue looks expectedly flat on this paper.

Pelikan’s Royal Blue, a relatively dry ink, bleeds through this paper.

Texture-wise, the paper is smooth—soft, even. On this pad, my 149 (wet, but with some deliberate feedback) feels oddly muted, like someone put a thin blanket over the nib. If you like Rhodia’s slickness, you’ll recognize the sensation immediately: controlled but anesthetized.

Branding is minimal at first glance. The logo is quiet enough to disappear after the first couple of sentences—until you look back and realize it’s in all caps, calmly insisting on being read. It doesn’t scream, but it does signal. If I received a note written on this pad, I’d assume the writer has a taste for things that are meant to be noticed, though not necessarily things worth noticing.

Writing feel: 3/10
Fountain-pen friendly: 3/10
Julia-Roberts-evoking: 6 Neapolitan pizzas out of 10

—Montblanc 12, Montblanc Irish Green; Mitsubishi 9852 (B)

Jeremy .
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