As the oldest hotel in Hong Kong, The Peninsula is not only considered the ‘Grande Dame of the Far East’ but it’s also the flagship of the Peninsula Hotels group.
The hotel opened its doors in 1928 and has been serving guests a slice of old world glamour and elegance since. Today, the brand’s majestic interiors and grandeur, along with its impeccable services, remain — marking The Peninsula as one of the leading luxury hotel brands in Asia, if not the world.
Location: 9/10
Sitting on the southern tip of the Kowloon Peninsula (hence its name), the hotel is presented with some of the brightest and most stunning views of Victoria Harbour. It’s situated in bustling Tsim Sha Tsui, which may feel too busy for some, but for most it is conveniently located. There is plenty of entertainment in the form of designer stores and museums nearby. A short five minute walk will take you to Tsim Sha Tsui Ferry Terminal and the MTR station, allowing travel to and from Hong Kong Island and elsewhere an easy trip. Meanwhile, its own helipad and private helicopter enables the easy coming and going in the most private manner.
Design: 9/10
The hotel debuted as a six-story building in 1928 and received an additional 30-floor Tower in 1994 to become The Peninsula as we know it. Its charm lies in the heritage and traditions which has not only been kept extremely well (no tacky or overly regal elements here) but also has a sense of modernity, thanks to the multicultural design blending both Eastern and Western elements excellently. The Chinese lions and deities, which according to tradition guards and wards off evil spirits, are painted on the glass doors in the lobby, while the columns are carved with 76 different gargoyle faces, and other antiques and historical artefacts are displayed around the hotel.
Ambience: 10/10
Even before you set foot into the hotel, the Rolls-Royce in the forecourt, in which they have an impressive fleet of fifteen including one vintage 1934 Rolls-Royce Phantom II, sets the tone. Thereafter, page boys dressed in traditional whites open the door to reveal the expansive lobby and interior. The Peninsula exudes a sense of opulence without ever feeling too heavy or gaudy, it’s a masterful way to present luxury which feels comfortable, and sumptuous all at once. During our stay, we observed a variety of guests from families old and young, to business travellers and local residents and couples enjoying a staycation in the city.
Rooms: 9/10
With 300 guest rooms (165 in the original building and 135 in The Tower), including 52 suites and two ultra-luxurious suites: the Marco Polo Suite and the Peninsula Suite, The Peninsula’s offering is wide ranging — from Deluxe rooms with courtyard or harbour views to more Superior and Grand Deluxe suites. Understated elegance is the main feature throughout, with all rooms outfitted with contemporary furnishings, including touch-screen tablets that control lighting, temperature, curtains, room service and entertainment at the touch of a button. The marble bathrooms are equipped with walk-in showers and TVs in front of the bathtub. There are also built-in nail dryers in case you forgot how extravagant your experience could be.
Service & Facilities: 10/10
There is a great sense of camaraderie among the staff at The Peninsula. It’s no wonder that the hotel has some of the longest-serving members there, with over 36 employees having worked for 30 years and more than 108 for 20 years. The service is outstanding. As always, the staff are polite, friendly and helpful, but there’s also a genuine feeling that they all care a lot about the hotel and are proud to be working here. There is an indoor swimming pool, spa, sauna and a fitness centre with an open-air terrace while parking and laundry services are available too.
Food & Drink: 10/10
The Peninsula offers eight restaurants and lounges – two of which are Michelin-starred establishments: French fine dining restaurant Gaddi’s and exquisite Chinese restaurant Spring Moon. Other highlights include the Philippe Starck designed space Felix which offers modern European dishes and cocktails with topfloor views; Swiss restaurant Chesa offering fondue and raclette in an Alpine chalet setting; The Lobby which has offered one of Hong Kong’s loveliest afternoon teas for over 80 years; and The Bar for sips of fine spirits and whiskies paired with live piano jazz.
Rates: start from HK$3,200/night for the Deluxe Room (or HK$5,400/night with Club Level), to HK$26,000/night for the Carlton Suite (which includes Club Level). The price may vary depending on availability and season.
Rating: 9.5/10
Perfect for: a memorable staycation filled with elegant yet relaxed opulence.
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