The Peninsula, Hong Kong....The Place to Be in 21st Century HK
Written: Oct 13 '01 (Updated Feb 27 '02)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Everything--comfort and service are legendary-old & new work together
Cons: Gold paint (or bronze leaf) instead of gold leaf in lobby
The Bottom Line: Far and away the best hotel in town. the Peninsula will leave you so spoiled that you won't be able to cope with getting anything for yourself ever again.
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| tombarnes's Full Review: The Peninsula Hong Kong |
One does not simply walk into the Peninsula Hong Kong, one ARRIVES--preferably in one of their sleek Rolls Royce Silver Shadows. The Peninsula has presided over the Kowloon skyline since 1925. In the late 80's, a grey steel tower was built on top of it, dwarfing the ocher brick original. I was offended at the thought of the tower until I saw it first-hand.
Lobby
The lobby is a forest of gilded ionic columns and potted palms, attended by the click of heels on marble floors polished to a mirror sheen. It is a truly splendid room and, like Hong Kong itself, is bustling at any time of day or night. The lobby is a good place to take tea or breakfast under the magnificent coffered ceiling. The only thing that does not work in the lobby is the fact that the gilding on the columns appears to be something other than gold leaf, giving a flat, dull appearance, rather than the brilliance of gold. A small matter, and one of the only flaws in an otherwise perfect hotel.
Registration
Only the most brief time is spent at the desk. Like at its compatriots in this category, the vulgarities of credit cards are dealt with out of the public eye. Into the hush of a noiseless elevator, a few steps down the hallway (wide as an airport concourse and with carpet so thick you could sleep on it!)and you are in your room.
Rooms and Suites
Even the most modest broom closets here are incredibly luxurious. Our 22nd floor junior suite was hardly junior at all. Tea is brought in on a wicker tray while you are busy exploring and playing with all of the gadgets. There are buttons for almost everything-including tv, CD player radio and even the curtains. Messages are quietly slipped under the door, but also arrive on your fax machine. The furniture is timeless and the colors will not distract from the views. Our view, while impressive enough, was of Kowloon. The one to beg for here is the drop-dead view of the harbor and the Victoria skyline. It is such a great view that your nose will be surgically attached to the glass as you gaze out at this always changing panorama. Corner suites facing front are said to be worth risking insurance fraud to pay for them.
Baths
The baths are so great here that they deserve their own chapter. They appear to have been chiseled out of a block of dazzlingly white marble. More techno-gizmos in here too. Press a button and a small television slides out of the marble wall above the bath. You can gaze at CNN from the soap bubbles. Towels are thick and have those glorious towel warmers. The floors are heated too, so that your toes might not freeze on their way to their slippers (we visited in January, so the temperature was in the 40's and 50's). Why not summon the butler for a drink and enjoy the view a bit more before going down for dinner?
Dining
Felix, the most noteworthy restaurant here, is a rooftop room designed by Philippe Starck. Its menu is a French/Chinese hybrid. It was closed for renovation (it appears as though I have bad luck with this), so we did not go up there. Too bad, because I have heard reports of sensational cooking.
Gaddi's is a more traditional French restaurant just below the lobby. The cuisine and service here are excellent in every respect. It is quite formal and very quiet.
A handsome bar on the second level is a nice place to retreat from all of the over-the-top atmosphere.
We chose to take our breakfasts by the pool every morning. The staff will set up one of the tables for you--complete with fresh flowers and heavy silver. A good old fashioned English breakfast and a copy of the Hong Kong Post. What a way to begin the day with that VIEW in your scope again.
Pool and Recreation
Built around the two support columns for the tower, the pool is an eighth floor Roman bath. The Baths of Caracalla would have had nothing on this pool. The view is just as amazing from the eighth floor as from the 22nd. The health club is a short, dreamy walk away. Paneled in teak, even the locker rooms are beautiful. Watch out for the steam room--it is so hot you could hurt yourself.
Service
Staff are everywhere and nowhere simultaneously. They have perfected the art of hiding until just the moment you need them--seeming to arrive just whenever you want something. There are those who claim that the Mandarin has better service. I would have to disagree with them. Armies of white-coated and attendants ensure that you will always have what you need before you have thought of it yourself.
The concierge staff know absolutely everything, and can get you into places others cannot (the China Club, for instance).
Other
If you are arriving by helicopter, the Star Clipper lounge awaits on the roof. It's right by the heli-pad. Forgot your own helicopter? They have their own. Service to the Chep Lap Kok airport will probably cost more than your airline ticket.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
tombarnes
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 - Top 200 |
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Member: Thomas Barnes
Location: Fort Lauderdale & Washington, DC
Reviews written: 688
Trusted by: 444 members
About Me:
With Barbara in Miami, 2004
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