Known to many as ‘The Grand Dame of the Far East’, The Peninsula Hong Kong is the epitome of luxury and elegance.
Opened in 1928 with the aim of being the “finest hotel east of Suez”, the hotel is situated In Kowloon and is located directly opposite the quays where ocean liner passengers disembarked. Kowloon was also the final stop for the trans-Siberian rail link bringing many travellers from Europe. Founded by members of the Kadoorie family, the hotel is now part of the Hong Kong and Shanghai Hotels group headed by Sir Michael Kadoorie and is the flagship property of The Peninsula Hotels group.
A 30 storey tower extension was added in 1994 which was designed in the same style as the original building. The tower is topped with a helipad, allowing the hotel’s most affluent guests to transfer by air from the airport. The extension increased the total number of rooms to 300. Then, in 2012, a $58million refurbishment programme began; rooms were decorated in Oriental chic and digital enhancements such as touch-screen tablets and highdefinition televisions were added. No changes were made to the iconic lobby, restaurants and bars.
The Peninsula is also famous for its fleet of 14 Rolls-Royce Phantoms painted in the hotel’s own green livery which are used to ferry VIP guests from the airport and around the city.
The culinary choices at The Peninsula include gourmet French restaurant Gaddi’s – which has one of the first chef’s tables in Hong Kong – and ‘Felix’, designed by Philippe Starck. The Lobby serves traditional English-style Afternoon Tea, a throwback to Hong Kong’s colonial past. The hotel is also home to one of the oldest fashion arcades in the city, which has been home to such brands as Chanel, Dior, Hermès, Gucci, Prada, Louis Vuitton, Cartier, and Tiffany & Co. over the years.
With the recent refurbishment, The Peninsula truly combines the elegance of the 1920s with the modern sophistication of the 21st Century.
From the gilded ceilings and pillars of the magnificent lobby to the marble bathrooms and soaking tubs, The Peninsula is a bucket list choice for many of the world’s wealthiest and most important people. The indoor pool, the spa with superb views over Hong Kong and a modern fitness centre, all add to the luxurious experience.
There’s even a hotel-wide dress code that ensures decorum is maintained and that items such are flip-flops are banned entirely.
And for the pinnacle of luxury at this grand old Dame, one must book into The Peninsula Suite, viewed by many as the most luxurious suite in Asia. Situated on the 26th floor, the suite offers panoramic views over the harbour and Hong Kong Island. As many guests at the suite are diplomats or heads of state, both the CIA and MI5 were consulted over the design of the suite to ensure maximum security.
The suite has direct access to the helipad – in case a quick getaway is needed – and there is also security guard rooms down the hall. Guests of the suite have access to one of the hotel’s Rolls-Royces as well as a 24-hour butler. Though nominally a one-bedroom suite, the sheer amount of space and rooms means it can be converted to a seven-bedroom spread if required. The rooms are modern yet elegant, with marble and limestone used throughout ensuring sophistication without ostentatiousness. Lounge windows are floor to ceiling and offer stunning views over the city and the suite also comes with a fitness room, private study, kitchen and dining room as well as an extensive terrace.
Prices for the Peninsula Suite start at around $5,000 dollars per night, while an ‘ordinary’ room starts at around $500 per night.
