The Peninsula Hong Kong

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The Peninsula Hong Kong (Chinese: 香港半島酒店) opened in 1928 is Hong Kong's first hotel and is also one of the most internationally recognizable hotels in Hong Kong.^[1] 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.

Contents 1 History 2 Features 3 Restaurants and Bars 3.1 Gaddi's 3.2 Felix 3.3 Chesa 3.4 The Lobby 4 Awards 5 In popular culture 6 See also 7 Reference 8 External links

[edit] History

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".

In 1994, an extension was added to the orginial hotel. The features of the existing hotel building was preserved; these include the forecourt, the lobby and the front facade. The hotel was in operation when the extension was in process.^[2]

[edit] Features

In 1994, a 30-story tower was added in the same original style and the hotel installed a helipad for clients. It is one of only two private rooftop helipads in the territory, the other being located on top of the Shun Tak Centre.

The total number of rooms in the hotel was increase to be 300 as 132 rooms and suites were created. There are 10 floors of office space, shops and a series of hotel facilities added to the existing hotel buildings^[3].

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).

[edit] Restaurants and Bars

[edit] 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.

[edit] Felix

The bar-restaurant Felix, located on the 28th floor, was designed by Philippe Starck.^[4] 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 urinals facing the window, offering a wide panoramic view to the male guests.^[5]

Felix was ranked 47th and 49th in Restaurant magazine's best 50 restaurants in the world in 2004 and 2005 respectively.^[6][7]

[edit] Chesa

Swiss restaurant. Regularly voted by users of the popular Hong Kong restaurant website, www.openrice.comas the best restaurant in Hong Kong.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] The Lobby

The Peninsula Lobby Lounge also serves traditional English-style high tea, reminiscent of Hong Kong's colonial era.^[8]

[edit] Awards

The Peninsula Hotel Hong Kong has been recognized as an internationally leading hotel in many areas.^[9] It has received awards from Condé Nast Traveler magazine, Travel + Leisure, and other industry organizations.

[edit] In popular culture

The Peninsula is featured in several movies, including:

• The Man with the Golden Gun (1974)

[edit] See also

• The Peninsula Hotels
• The Peninsula Manila

[edit] Reference

1. ^ History
2. ^ Hong Kong Institute of Acrhitects Annual Awards(1997).Hong Kong Acrhitecture 3. Hong Kong: Hinge Marketing.
3. ^ Hong Kong Institute of Acrhitects Annual Awards(1997).Hong Kong Acrhitecture 3. Hong Kong: Hinge Marketing.
4. ^ Felix
5. ^ The Urinals of The Felix
6. ^ The Worlds 50 Best Restaurants for 2005
7. ^ The Worlds 50 Best Restaurants for 2005
8. ^ Peninsula Hotel Lobby
9. ^ Awards and Accolades

[edit] External links

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