Washington Life Magazine
Washington Life Magazine

GRANDE DAME OF ASIAN LUXURY

WRITTEN BY MICHAEL CLEMENTS

Into The Pen... The Peninsula Hong Kong has been the gold standard for luxury hotels in this bustling harbour city since it first opened its oh-so-neo-classical British doors in October 1928. It remains an icon of Hong Kong's mercantile past as well as the standard for which luxury hotels in Asia are measured today.

The Location: Built on Salisbury Road in Tsim Sha Tsui (TST) directly across Victoria Harbour from Central Hong Kong Island, this prime corner of real estate offers a skyline view rivaling Manhattan's. Book a room with a Harbour view, as the city's nightly skyline laserlight shows are particularly fun to watch from the comfort of your 5-star accommodations. Nearby, stroll down Hong Kong's version of the Hollywood Walk of Fame or take the famous Star Ferry over to Central for a day of shopping and dining.

The Service: Rolls-Royce and helicopter airport round-trip limo service (US$165 and $2,000), complimentary tea upon arrival, along with daily touches of fresh fruit and chocolates. Extremely attentive and professional staff. Same day laundry and dry cleaning - although pricey (one shirt dry-cleaned and two shirts laundered, $50). The concierge can get you a China visa in 24 hours just as easily as a table at the best club or restaurant in town. In an era when hotels charge for everything but the air you breathe, The Peninsula bucks the trend with a number of gratis services such as unlimited internet and shoe polishing - all of which may keep your mind off the room rates, if only for a while.

PEN-WORTHY FACTS

· The surrender of Hong Kong to the Japanese was held in room 336 on Christmas Day, 1941

· Clark Gable stayed at The Pen in 1953 while filming Soldier of Fortune, during which he taught Peninsula barman Johnny Chung how to make a screwdriver. Chung still works at the bar today

· The staff to guest ratio is 3:1, the highest in Hong Kong

· 48,000 pieces of silver are in daily use in the hotel

· Seven wines on the hotel wine list date from 1928, the year the hotel opened

· Pure Yoga, one of the world's largest yoga studios (22,000 sq ft) is located in the Peninsula's office tower Salisbury Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong Tel: (852) 2920 2888; www.peninsula.com

 

The Rooms: Three hundred rooms in total, 132 of which are located in the thirteen-story tower completed in 1994. All retain a luxurious Victorian atmosphere with modern touches. We dare you to pull yourself out of the down king-sized beds every morning on-time. Highly recommended are the hotel's "Life is Suite" packages, including room plus Rolls-Royce transfer, breakfast for two, unlimited minibar, and dinner for two. Again, stick with the Harbour View Suites: Superior ($1,150), Deluxe ($1,670) and Grand Deluxe Suites ($1,925). Or, for the ultimate Peninsula experience, book the 2,280 square foot Marco Polo Suite ($4,100) or 4,111 square foot Peninsula Suite ($5,400).

The Amenities: Sure, Hong Kong Disney opened last year, but who needs the Mouse when The Pen has just as many attractions, starting with a fully outfitted business center; the China Clipper helicopter lounge; the Peninsula Boutique gift shops; the Peninsula Arcade for designer brand shopping; a music room for performers to practice; a florist; nine restaurants and The Peninsula Academy offering classes in Chinese tea making, Tai Chi, Feng Shui, herbal remedies and Chinese cooking.

SPA: Opened in 2005, ESPA should not be missed. Tranquil teakwood-panelled private rooms with Harbour views, numerous treatment options, fun "Lifestyle Showers" (try the Arctic Mist), plus access to the inside pool and sun deck means you can make it a full-day spa affair. Nine separate body treatments are offered ($250 for 1 hour and 50 minutes). Aromatherapy for jet lag or the immune system; and deep tissue, Swedish, Balinese and Thai massages are offered (all $120 for 50 minutes, or $180 for 1 hour and 20 minutes). Facial treatments run from $120 to $180.

Dining: The Hotel's nine on-site restaurants run the gamut from chic fusion to sushi. Starting on the 28th floor, Felix is a must for litchi martinis and jaw-dropping views. (The men's room has arguably one the best bathroom views in the world ... sorry ladies). Four-course dinner for two, $742. Chesa has graced the hotel since 1965. It specializes in Swiss fare served in an authentic Swiss setting (three-course set lunch for two, $610). The Verandah has been a high-tea haunt for Hong Kong's Tai Tai's (rich wives) for decades (three-course set lunch for two, $620). Spring Moon is where tea aficionados should go for a masterful combination of tea and Hong Kong cuisine. You'll love selecting between non-fermented green teas, semi-fermented oolongs and fermented pu-er teas. Match that with Silver Moon's touted crispy pigeon and you have a delicious recipe for a "yum cha" lunch (six-course set lunch for two, $626). Imasa specializes in Japanese cuisine while The Lobby and The Bar make for good, but pricey, drinks. For fine French dining there is the ornate Gaddi's on the first floor (four-course set dinner for two, $745).

Exterior of The Peninsula Hong Kong in Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon 1,000 scones are baked daily for the hotel's famous Lobby Afternoon Tea
The spa's indoor pool Felix on the 28th floor is know for its cocktails and stunning Hong Kong Island views

 

 

 



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