New era for timeless charm
17 November
Eighty years after first opening its doors in Hong Kong, the Peninsula hotel group continues to build its reputation for ultra-luxury accommodation and exceptional service with refurbishments of landmark properties around the globe and the planned opening of new hotels.
The expansion will see the group’s portfolio swell to 10, with addresses in the world’s most famous and exciting cities.
Already at home in Hong Kong, New York, Chicago, Manila, Bangkok, Beverley Hills and Beijing, the group will launch its Shanghai hotel next October, and expects to open the doors to its first property in Europe in 2012.
The undisputed queen of the group, remains the Peninsula Hong Kong, which opened in 1928, as Hong Kong’s most luxurious and interesting hotels, a reputation it retains to this day.
Peninsula Hotels general manager marketing, Jean Forrest, said the Peninsula brand was firmly established across all core markets.
“Our guests take enormous pleasure from the seamless mix of heritage, tomorrow’s technology and world-class hospitality, central to all aspects of our hotels and service, from new builds to renovations.”
Reflecting this philosophy is the recent renovation of the Peninsula New York, which has seen a complete remodelling of its top three levels, and the introduction of The Peninsula Spa by ESPA and a new dining and lounge experience – the Salon de Ning.
“Salon de Ning is a celebration of the Golden Age of Travel with the ambience of an elegant 1930’s club. The concept will be rolled out into other properties.
“The lounge bar is furnished with timeless momentos and artworks showcasing the grace and hospitality of the period. We want our guests to feel like they are in a friend’s private residence,” she said.
The 15-storey Peninsula Shanghai, fronting the historic Bund, is already well under development with its 235 luxurious rooms ready for guests next October.
“Because of the heritage elements of the Bund, we designed the hotel to reflect the ambiance of the existing historic structures and the location is next to the former British Consulate Gardens. The result fits marvellously within our model of marrying old with new.”
Forrest said the group’s success and growing demand for Peninsula-style service had underpinned its entry into Europe.
“We have been monitoring key European cities for some time now, waiting for the right opportunity, and we believe we will be able to announce our first site shortly.
“At 80 years old, we are a patient company and will wait for the right opportunities for further expansion,” she added.