Sir Tommy Chan is a well known figure in Honiara. He’s an eccentric entrepreneur. He owns several businesses, including supermarkets and the Honiara Hotel. HH is now a faded icon, but it has the longest pool in Honiara, so I have used it for doing laps. It is located between my work and home, so it’s been very easy to incorporate into my daily routine. But it’s the eclectic décor which is striking. Sir Tommy has a penchant for statuary. The themes are flowers, sea creatures, and semi-naked women. Many are oversize. He likes fountains, but they don’t work very often. Here’s some of the highlights.
Mermaids frolic at the bar entrance. On the other side a pool is populated by turtles, corals and birds.
The pool has a bridge or deck over it. Carved Solomon Islanders stand guard.
More Islanders in the main foyer.
There are some decent timber carvings throughout the premises.
Giant fish and flowers abound.
I have no idea what is going on here.
The two main wings are joined by a spectacular winding, covered staircase of more than 60 steps.
This section also has a (now disused) funicular railway for transporting guests and their luggage. Note the barrier to the car.
The diverse décor includes some from Tommy’s own Chinese culture. The ornamental pool is lovely.
Tommy also likes chandeliers. There are several throughout. This one is over the stairs to the main reception area.
Tommy appears to be an ardent supporter of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth. He is the Coordinator of the Queen’s Trust in the Solomons. There is a photo of him being knighted by Her Madge in the bar. He last met her in October last year, as the photos and invitation on display demonstrate. I asked him if she remembered him each time they met (he’s met her four times in all). He responded “She’s getting a bit old now – memory not so good.”
Two months ago a team started working on another statue on the car park. There appears to be lots of maintenance that could benefit the place, but the horse obviously took preference.
Tommy’s signature pieces exist beyond the confines of the hotel. These elegant characters adorn his supermarket and ATM in Chinatown.
Ian's Gap Year 
Nice sculptures. A bit different to the ones we’ve been seeing in Spain for the last ten days, and certainly more colourful! Saw Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia today; astonishing, and glorious. The contrast with Honiara could hardly be greater.
Lindsay.
Sagrada Familia is on my bucket list. I think the contrast is greater when you consider the quality of the roads and drains…