Christmas at the Royal Hotel tells the story about the 1941 Battle of Hong Kong. In an attempt to fortify the military defensive lines, a large contingent of Canadian soldiers sailed to the shores of this far-flung British colony. One of the Canadian soldiers named Tom (Harry Oram) checks into the Royal Hotel, a slightly defunct establishment full of war profiteers, refugees and spies. At the hotel, Tom meets a mysterious Chinese lady named Mayling (Lydia Lee Tang) who works for the South China News Agency. Mayling is haunted by the ongoing war in China, especially after her husband goes missing during a secret meeting with some Chinese revolutionaries. Mayling’s quest for answers leads her to a Mr. Cheung (Wil Cheung), a hard-nosed political operator with uncertain loyalties. It is within this vortex of intrigue that a young hotel maid named Lily (Ashley Leung) has stumbled onto hard times since losing contact with her family in China. In her struggle for a hopeful future, Lily makes plans to celebrate the upcoming Christmas holiday with someone who has captured her heart. On December 8th, the sudden Japanese attack on Hong Kong changes everything. The fighting goes badly for the British, as the Japanese forces quickly gain the upper hand. It soon becomes apparent to Tom, Mayling and Lily that Hong Kong will fall to the Japanese. In a city on the verge of collapse, these desperate survivors must make hard sacrifices as the sword of fate drops without fear or favor. Some promises will never be kept during Hong Kong’s darkest hour.
