The Peninsula Hong Kong

The main entrance of The Peninsula

The Peninsula Hong Kong (Chinese: 香港半島酒店) is one of the most famous hotels in Hong Kong. It is located at the junction of Nathan Road and Salisbury Road in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong. Founded by members of the Kadoorie family, the hotel today is part of the Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels group headed by Sir Michael Kadoorie.

History

The Peninsula before the Second World War

It opened in Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong in December of 1928, built with the idea that it would be "the finest hotel east of Suez." Passengers arriving in Hong Kong by ocean liner disembarked onto the quais of Kowloon plus, it was the last stop on the trans-Siberian rail link that brought travelers from Europe. As such, the Peninsula hotel was ideally situated to take advantage of the increasing number of wealthy visitors to the area.

From the moment the hotel opened its doors to the first guest, the Peninsula name has been synonymous with welcoming the rich, the famous, the titled and the titans of industry to a place of unsurpassed luxury and service. The hotel is also distinguished by its fleet of signature Rolls-Royces, which can be hired (rented) by guests. These cars are painted in a distinctive shade of green known as "Peninsula green".

On December 25, 1941, at the end of the Battle of Hong Kong, British colonial officials headed by the Governor of Hong Kong, Sir Mark Aitchison Young, surrendered in person at the Japanese headquarters on the third floor of The Peninsula. The Hotel was then renamed The Matsumoto Hotel.

The conspicious 30-storey tower at night

Features

In 1994, a 30-story tower was added in the same original style and the hotel installed a helipad for clients. It is the only rooftop helipad in the territory, excluding the rooftop heliport of Shun Tak Centre and those in hospitals. The most expensive, and the last colonial hotel in Hong Kong, the Peninsula is a place for those willing to pay several thousand US dollars per night for one of its exclusive suites.

The Peninsula's presidential suite meets CIA and MI5 security specifications (it must be between two floors of guest rooms).

The front door

Restaurants and Bars

• Gaddi's

Gaddi's has long been regarded as one of the finest and most elegant French cuisine French restaurants in Hong Kong. It is known for establishing one of the first Chef's Tables in Hong Kong which allows the diners to have their meals in a special table set outside the restaurant's kitchen, where diners can watch their meals being prepared.

• Felix

The bar-restaurant Felix, located on the 28th floor, was designed by Philippe Starck. One of the more unusual and considered notable design features of the hotel is the layout of the 28th floor men's washrooms (restrooms), which feature a wide panorama window, providing male guests with a wonderful view.

• Spring Moon

A Chinese restaurant which also features a chef's table.

• Chesa

Swiss restaurant. Regularly voted by users of the popular Hong Kong restaurant website www.openrice.com as the best restaurant in Hong Kong.

• Imasa

Japanese restaurant

• The Verandah

Continental restaurant

• The Lobby

The lobby lounge is famous for its high tea, a Hong Kong institution.

• The Bar

• The Pool Terrace

The Peninsula is also world famous for its first class chocolate.

The Peninsula in fiction

The Peninsula is featured in several movies, including:

• The Man with the Golden Gun (1974)

Peninsula Hotels in other locations

Main article: The Peninsula Hotels

There are other Peninsula hotels in the worldwide group:

• The Peninsula New York
• The Peninsula Chicago
• The Peninsula Beverly Hills
• The Peninsula Bangkok
• The Peninsula Palace Beijing
• The Peninsula Manila

See also

• List of buildings and structures in Hong Kong

External links

• Peninsula Hong Kong Official Site
• The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, Limited (HSH)
• Satellite view of the site

Categories

Find

Find