A veritable institution in Hong Kong, the Peninsula is also famous worldwide, so I couldn’t wait to discover it! Opened in 1928, this luxury hotel features an antique beauty that will charm even the most demanding clients, along with impeccable personnel with the highest possible standards. With its seven restaurants and bars, high-quality spa, and view overlooking the world’s most beautiful skyline, the Peninsula Hong Kong is without a doubt the most legendary hotel in this Asian city.
Opened in 1928, this was the first hotel under the Peninsula name, becoming the flagship establishment for this luxury brand which today owns ten hotels in the world’s biggest cities (I’ve already had the pleasure of staying at the Peninsula Bangkok and the Peninsula Tokyo). Over the years, the hotel has undergone several renovations, including an extension in 1994 into a 30-story tower, all of which has allowed this mythical five-star to remain one of the world’s most famous. It has maintained a colonial-style look and feel, something which we noticed at tea time: this tradition is observed every afternoon in the magnificent lobby, with its impressive columns and constant hustle and bustle.
A Hotel Named Perfection…
Known as the “Grande Dame” of East Asia, the Peninsula is located on Kowloon across from Hong Kong Island, allowing guests to admire one of the best skylines in the world from their bedrooms (especially when night falls and the high-rises light up). Beyond the gorgeous view, the Peninsula is an extraordinary place to spend a few evenings, offering the perfect hotel experience!
An Extra-Luxurious Transfer (in a Rolls-Royce, of course!)
The adventure begins at the airport, where you can request a transfer in one of the hotel’s 15 Rolls-Royces, the ideal luxury experience to begin your visit! The hotel has the largest Rolls-Royce fleet in the world, one of which is particularly famous and dates back to the 1930s. Even though I’m used to riding in luxurious cars, I was still impressed by our stylish airport transfer! Guests can also arrange for an even faster and more exclusive helicopter transfer. Until a few months ago, all that was missing was a yacht, but now that’s covered. Guests can take the boat out for a cruise at sunset – an excellent way to admire this cosmopolitan and dynamic city!
Exemplary Service
With a luxury hotel comes impeccable personnel, and the Peninsula Hong Kong doesn’t break with tradition! From the porters in their immaculate white outfits to the hotel staff, everyone is friendly and professional. I especially appreciated the chocolates that were left in our room each day ‒ an attention to detail which made all the difference.
My Getaway for Two Nights: The Grand Deluxe Harbour View Room
We settled into one of the Peninsula’s 300 rooms (including 54 suites), all of which underwent an extraordinary renovation in 2013 in order to keep up with the highest standards in luxury hospitality. The hotel’s bet paid off, with rooms that are sophisticated, refined, and on the cutting edge of technology, including tablet computers with which you can open the curtains, change the lighting in the room, order room service, and more. The opulent marble bathrooms are incredibly comfortable, with different levels of lighting and a television integrated into the wall facing the bathtub. The Grand Deluxe Harbour View room was a wonderful place to spend a few nights. The sensational view of the bustling city left us speechless, and we never grew tired of seeing it.
Something for Everyone with Seven Restaurants and Bars
There are so many restaurants and bars that you’d have to spend a week here to try them all! Clearly there’s something for everyone here! We had the pleasure of dining at Spring Moon, awarded one Michelin star, which proposes authentic Cantonese cuisine. Dim sum is offered at lunch time, while for dinner we were served seafood dishes with XO sauce, pork or barbecue, and several Cantonese specialties. Our food was perfectly paired with different teas, made using the finest brews in Asia. The décor alone was worth a visit, featuring a replica of a 1920s Shanghai manor; we were catapulted into another era as soon as we arrived!
Another well-known restaurant at the Peninsula Hong Kong is Gaddi’s, a famous French establishment opened in 1953 and an institution in continental cuisine here in Hong Kong. For more excitement and modernity, head to Felix on the 28th floor, where the incredible interior design by Philippe Starck is topped off by a spectacular view of the city. It’s the ideal place to enjoy a drink or dinner with a view.
At the restaurant Chesa, Switzerland is front and center with an Alpine chalet ambience, while Imasa offers Japanese gastronomy. At The Verandah, guests will find international cuisine in the form of a buffet starting at breakfast time. As for us, we opted for the immense lobby with its old-fashioned charm. For lovers of a jazzy atmosphere, The Bar is the place to go, offering delicious classic cocktails in an elegant and subdued setting.
An Afternoon at the Peninsula Spa
The spa also deserves plenty of praise: with 1200 m² spread over three floors, the Peninsula Spa is a haven of relaxation, allowing its guests to disconnect from the boisterous city. It displays the same elegant design as the hotel, mixing traditional Chinese elements with contemporary accents in a wellness center that has everything: sauna with a view, steam bath, relaxation room, and more. For me, the fountain of youth continued in one of the 14 treatment rooms where I enjoyed an aromatherapy massage, ideal for relaxing my muscles after my walk through the city. The Peninsula features products from ESPA as well as Margy’s Monte Carlo for highly effective anti-aging treatments.
As for the pool on the 8th floor, it offers a magnificent view overlooking Victoria Harbour, so you can admire the skyline while doing a few breaststrokes. The pool’s design is inspired by Roman baths with its columns, friezes, and statues; meanwhile, the bordering terrace is the perfect place to lounge about for the afternoon.
The Verdict
All of Hong Kong’s strong personality can be found in this hotel, a historic site which has watched the decades go by! Despite its age, the Peninsula has not let itself go, offering flawless luxury with contemporary rooms and cutting-edge home automation technology. It also might be the establishment with the best view in Hong Kong, and we personally never got tired of its beauty. The seven sophisticated restaurants and bars and the high-flying spa are all marvels in terms of style and service. A legendary hotel in Asia, whose prestige is known throughout the world!
- The Rolls-Royce transfer, the height of luxury!
- Historic hotel that has gone through several makeovers throughout the years and is perfectly up-to-date today
- The view of the skyline is superb, one of the best in Hong Kong!
- Not much to say here – it’s pretty much perfect!
Practical Information
- More information available on their website
- Deluxe Room with Harbour View starting at € 800 per night in February 2019
Thank you to the Peninsula HK for the invitation to explore their establishment.Of course, the content of this blogpost was left entirely up to me!
Do you know the Peninsula HK? Feel free to send me your comments or questions by posting them on social media.
Follow me on my adventures via social media:facebook,twitterandinstagram! And if you enjoyed my post, you can share it using the buttons below!
About Florence Consul
Editor of Experiences Luxe since 2015, I love discovering new exclusive and authentic experiences all over the world. I left my home country (France) 6 years ago to become a global citizen, traveling 365 days out of the year. I am a foodie person and I make a point of tasting local specialities.