At a time when the Peninsula Paris has just opened its doors, it was important for us to tell you the story of one of the most wonderful palaces, the Peninsula Hong Kong, where we had the pleasure of spending a few days this year.
Built in Kowloon in 1928 as an upscale hotel for travelers. Located opposite the railway station serving the Kowloon-Canton line, along the Kowloon waterfront, The Peninsula Hong Kong was ideally placed to welcome international overnight guests. Today, The Peninsula Hotels have come full circle, honoring their tradition of serving international travelers to the highest industry standards, and are present in Asia, North America and soon Europe.
This palace, which celebrated its 85th anniversary in 2013, has 300 rooms.
On arrival, you’re sure to be picked up at the airport by one of the 14 Rolls Royce Phantoms provided by the hotel for its guests. Once you’ve crossed the threshold, you’ll find yourself in the epitome of luxury and service. It’s time to discover your room, which will probably overlook Hong Kong Bay, and spend hours enjoying the hotel’s incredible services and bewitching views.
The world’s most personalized hotel room. A new technological era has arrived in guest rooms.
Peninsula Hotels is introducing the world’s most personalized guest rooms at Peninsula Hong Kong. They feature intuitive new interior technology to complement their chic and elegance.
Customized interactive tablets are available and pre-registered in five different languages – English, French, Simplified and Traditional Chinese, and Japanese – allowing full control of guest preferences and information about the entire room, in addition to wifi and international calls via VOIP.
In addition to the elegance and design of the new rooms, the Peninsula Hong-Kong is revolutionizing interior technology by setting a new standard for guests. The system was developed by The Peninsula Hotels’ Electronic Services Department, a pioneer and industry leader in the research and development of innovative hotel room technology. Peninsula Hotels is the only hotel group in the world to have its own Research and Development department, with the aim of imagining, designing and customizing spaces dedicated solely to guests.
The aim is to introduce a new bespoke room experience, where guests can choose how they wish to access the hotel’s services. Indeed, guests’ demands are constantly increasing.
The latest ESD creation at the Peninsula Hong Kong hotel has taken the initiative in design and innovation, providing guests with a real interior experience tailored to their requirements.
Fully customized, the interactive tablets control all room functions, the desk and predefined wallpapers. The tablet includes language selection, room service, restaurant menu, hotel services, “Pen Cities” virtual city tour, valet parking, TV on demand with wifi internet, dimmed lights, remote-controlled shutters and room temperature.
A magnificent lacquered desk complements the high-speed Internet access, radio and iPod docking station. The marble bathtub at the Peninsula Hong-Kong offers an extraordinary view and a large touch screen. The SPA’s subdued lighting delivers a light, luxurious experience and soothing music for the ultimate in relaxation.
The latest audiovisual innovations, such as a Blu-Ray flat screen illuminated by LED lights, offer an enriching experience via a touch-sensitive tablet, 90 TV channels, 460 radio stations, HD movies, an IPod/IPad docking station and a memory card that can be read and listened to with powerful bass.
Wireless connection to personal electronic devices and to a photocopier/printer/fax/scanner gives you access to all the functions of a home office.
“Innovation is – and always has been – an integral part of the DNA of Peninsula Hotels,” explains Peter Borer, Head of Operations. “The intuitive technology we are about to inaugurate will enable us to expand our expertise in the luxury sector. It is the only hotel company in the world to have its own equipment R&D department. In-room technology is developed and tested for perfection by the ESD, comprising a team of 27 engineers – specialized in electronic materials, IT and software – who must be able to respond to customer needs while combining observation, innovation and technological advances.
Located in Aberdeen, on the southern tip of Hong Kong Island, ESD and Herland Ingvar Technology’s Resources Department and its team of engineers are doing their utmost to bring additional technologies to a world where the demand for hotels is intensifying.
Whether for business or leisure, technology is used to accompany guests with efficiency and simplicity, so that they can relax in this exceptional location.
Made to deliver what customers want before they actually feel the need for it, ESD’s two mottos are “technology is made by everyone” and “you shouldn’t have to think about it – it just happens”. So, all the elements are aimed at serving customers, helping them relax and keeping them always connected and informed.
Since its origins in 1985, ESD has created, designed and developed cutting-edge materials for the rooms of the group’s nine hotels, and continues to collaborate actively with manufacturers of appliances that are easy for guests to use.
While each hotel has its own team within ESD, Herland and his team can, at the same time, monitor the technologies in every room in the world from a device located in their laboratory in Hong Kong.
Gastronomy
Hong Kong is undoubtedly one of the world’s gastronomic capitals, so it was unthinkable for the Peninsula Hong Kong not to offer its guests the very best.
You’ll be able to choose between top-flight gourmet cuisine at Gaddi’s, more contemporary fare at The Veranda, or perhaps travel to Switzerland for a fondue at Le Chesa; Spring Moon offers refined traditional Chinese and Cantonese cuisine; take a step up to the 28th floor with the Felix, designed by Philippe Starck, where you’ll have a breathtaking view of Hong Kong, including from the toilets; or perhaps you’d prefer Japanese food at Imasa. If, despite all that, you’re still hungry, the bar in the lobby will also welcome you with a few specialties.
It’s possible to experience a veritable marathon of the hotel’s restaurants, eating a dish in each restaurant over the course of an evening – believe me, it’s an experience to be had.
The Spa
A magical must-see, the spa offers a unique moment of relaxation overlooking the bay. Unless you prefer to lounge in the swimming pool, a veritable work of art.
For a breath of fresh air, take to the hotel helipad for a flight over Hong Kong.
PENINSULA HOTELS HONOR FRANCE WITH THEIR ARRIVAL IN PARIS
Celebrating “All Things French”, Peninsula hotels celebrate their arrival in Europe with the opening of their hotel in France, The Peninsula Paris.
More than eight decades after the opening of the Hong Kong hotel, The Peninsula Paris opened its doors on August 1, 2014. Thanks to “All Things French”, guests can discover the richness of French culture at all Peninsula hotels. Each hotel is organizing its own festivities, which will run from August 1 until the end of the year. From Haute Couture to gastronomy to art, guests will discover the many facets of French culture.
The program for each Peninsula hotel
The Peninsula Hong Kong
– Master Chocolatier Marijn Coertjens will create replicas of the famous Eiffel Tower, made entirely of chocolate, to be displayed in the Lobby and The Verandah Café.
– Montmartre in The Lobby”: an accordionist will entertain The Lobby with traditional French music on Saturday and Sunday.
– The famous French beard will be honored with the sale of chocolate moustaches priced at €3.80 each, half of which will be donated to the Hong Kong-based Make-A-Wish Foundation ®.
– Moët & Spa” offers an hour’s massage at the Peninsula Spa, Champagne and a surprise gift.
– Joie de Vivre” is a package for two including a two-hour treatment at the Peninsula Spa, an aromatherapy bath, Champagne and macaroons.
– With the “Matin Parisien” package, guests enjoy a French breakfast, a facial treatment and a surprise in store.
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