Our Story
Rooted in Village Life
Camphor House grew from a simple belief: that the later years of life deserve the same warmth, community, and connection that have shaped Hong Kong's fishing villages for generations.
Back to HomeAbout Camphor House
Where We Came From
Camphor House began as a small family endeavour on Tai O Market Street, in one of Hong Kong's oldest and most distinctive fishing villages. The founders – who had spent years working in elder care and community development – noticed that many seniors longed not just for practical support, but for a sense of belonging and a meaningful daily life.
Tai O felt like the natural answer. The village has always run at its own quiet pace: ferries arriving with the morning catch, market stalls opening, elders gathering at the waterfront to watch the tide. It is a place where life feels more tangible, more connected to the seasons and the sea.
Camphor House opened its doors to welcome seniors who wanted exactly that – not a facility, but a home. A place shaped by the rhythms of village life rather than institutional routine.
Today, our small team cares for a close-knit group of residents, each of whom has become a part of Tai O's daily fabric. We believe that is exactly how it should be.
Tai O waterfront, Lantau Island
What Guides Us
Our Mission & Values
Everything at Camphor House flows from a few deeply held beliefs about how people deserve to live.
Community First
We believe that belonging matters as much as comfort. Every aspect of life at Camphor House is shaped to foster genuine connection – between residents, staff, and the wider village community of Tai O.
Dignity in Daily Life
Each resident is an individual with their own history, preferences, and pace. We take our cues from the people who live here, not from a fixed programme or schedule imposed from outside.
Place as Nourishment
We chose Tai O deliberately. The sea air, the village scale, the familiar faces at the market – these are not incidental. They are part of what makes life here feel nourishing and real.
The People Behind the Door
Our Team
A small, dedicated group who care about Tai O, about elder wellbeing, and about making Camphor House feel like a genuine home.
Margaret Cheung
House Manager
Margaret has spent over fifteen years working in community care across Lantau Island. She oversees the day-to-day life of Camphor House with a calm and practical warmth that residents find reassuring.
David Leung
Activities & Heritage Coordinator
David grew up in Tai O and knows the village's history and characters intimately. He leads the Village Heritage Programme and designs activities that connect residents to the life happening all around them.
Grace Wong
Resident Support Lead
Grace brings a thoughtful and attentive approach to resident support. She works closely with each person and their family to understand their needs and preferences, ensuring daily life feels considered and comfortable.
Our Standards
How We Look After Our Residents
Camphor House operates with care, transparency, and respect for every person who lives and works here.
Resident Safety
Our home is designed with safety in mind – from well-maintained shared spaces to thoughtful room layouts. Staff are attentive and present throughout the day and evening.
Nutritious, Fresh Meals
Three daily meals are prepared using fresh ingredients sourced locally where possible. Menus are varied and rooted in the familiar flavours of Cantonese cooking, with adjustments made for individual needs.
Housekeeping Standards
Rooms are cleaned regularly and laundry is handled as part of the residence. Common areas are maintained to a comfortable and welcoming standard at all times.
Privacy & Confidentiality
Resident information is handled with discretion. We maintain clear boundaries between personal and communal life, and families are kept informed with their loved one's consent.
Open Communication
We maintain an open dialogue with residents and their families. If something changes or a concern arises, we address it directly and with care – never behind closed doors.
Person-Centred Approach
No two residents are the same. We take time to understand each person's background, preferences, and rhythm of life so that the support they receive feels fitting rather than generic.
A Place Worth Knowing
Life in Tai O, at the Right Pace
Tai O is one of Hong Kong's most distinctive communities – a working fishing village built on stilts over the water, where the ferry schedule still shapes the day and market traders know their regulars by name. For seniors seeking a residential home with genuine character, Camphor House offers something rare: a setting that is alive with village culture rather than sealed off from it.
Our residents become part of Tai O's everyday fabric. They walk to the market, sit at the waterfront, and attend heritage sessions that connect them to the long traditions of the community. This is not a curated programme of activities – it is participation in a living village, at whatever pace suits each person.
Families across Hong Kong have found that Camphor House offers a different kind of residential experience – one where the environment itself is part of the care. Lantau Island's fresh air, quieter pace, and distinctive culture provide a foundation that no amount of interior design or programming can replicate.
We are a small home, and we intend to stay that way. A smaller community means that staff know every resident personally, that meals feel like family gatherings, and that the sense of belonging is genuine rather than marketed.
Come and See for Yourself
We'd Love to Show You Around
A conversation and a visit to Tai O will tell you more than any website can. We are always happy to welcome families to Camphor House.
Arrange a Visit