You know you’re somewhere special when pillbox-hatted pageboys politely whisk open double-front doors to reveal an airy lobby with soaring ceilings. And so it is at The Peninsula Hong Kong, the city’s oldest hotel (opened in 1928).
Affectionately called "the Pen" by locals, the place drips with colonial decadence, from the palm-filled lobby where guests nibble on petit fours at teatime to the string quartet in the gallery.
Perhaps the ultimate sign of the hotel’s classic pedigree is Gaddi’s, a local legend of a French restaurant, and the Verandah (which is as gorgeous and otherworldly as it sounds). Still, The Peninsula manages to balance its Old World inclinations with modern touches, like the Philippe Starck-designed restaurant, Felix, which serves contemporary cuisine in a super-slick skyline setting.
This blend of Asian and European styles carries through the place, from high-tech and antiques-bedecked rooms to an impressive spa to the immaculate service, which quietly whispers that, yes, you have indeed arrived.
Affectionately called "the Pen" by locals, the place drips with colonial decadence, from the palm-filled lobby where guests nibble on petit fours at teatime to the string quartet in the gallery.
Perhaps the ultimate sign of the hotel’s classic pedigree is Gaddi’s, a local legend of a French restaurant, and the Verandah (which is as gorgeous and otherworldly as it sounds). Still, The Peninsula manages to balance its Old World inclinations with modern touches, like the Philippe Starck-designed restaurant, Felix, which serves contemporary cuisine in a super-slick skyline setting.
This blend of Asian and European styles carries through the place, from high-tech and antiques-bedecked rooms to an impressive spa to the immaculate service, which quietly whispers that, yes, you have indeed arrived.
Our Inspector's Highlights
- An indulgent daily affair served from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the Hong Kong hotel’s famous neo-classical lobby, afternoon tea draws legions of locals and tourists alike.
- The hotel offers 10 different bars and restaurants — not including 24-hour room service — many of which are widely considered some of the best in Hong Kong.
- The guest rooms recently underwent a massive renovation, introducing some high-tech upgrades. Think electronic tablets that control nearly everything in the room, 3D flat-screen televisions and Blu-ray players, LED wall panels and charging stations with cords for most major handheld devices.
- Styled like an ancient Roman bath, complete with authentic friezes, fresco-style ceiling and big, bold columns fashioned to appear as if they’re crumbling, The Peninsula Hong Kong’s 59-foot pool has the feel of an oasis for the gods.
- Bring your workout clothes. The Peninsula Hong Kong’s bright, airy gym is outfitted with an array of modern Life Fitness equipment, including treadmills, ellipticals and stationary bikes with personal television sets.
Things to Know
- The hotel’s justifiably famous afternoon tea, served daily in the neo-classical style lobby from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., does not accept reservations, so be sure to arrive early to claim your spot.
- The luxury Hong Kong hotel offers a full library of movies you can rent and pop into your guest room or suite’s Blu-ray player, as well as a convenient charging station that has plugs for most major handheld devices sold in Europe, Asia and the United States.
- Arrive in style by booking an airport transfer in one of the hotel’s extended wheelbase Rolls-Royce Phantoms, though at HK$1,500 each way this is one luxury that doesn’t come cheaply.
The Rooms
- The contemporary, completely remodeled guest rooms and suites at The Peninsula Hong Kong in Kowloon feature modern high-tech conveniences, luxurious Italian designer furniture and a pleasing neutral color scheme of light grays, whites and cream-colored upholstery.
- Modern amenities abound including touchscreen LED wall panels, 3D Samsung flat-screen televisions, Sony Blu-ray players and Samsung tablets with controls for just about everything in the room, from the television and radio to the lighting and temperature.
- Rooms at The Peninsula Hong Kong are also thoughtfully equipped with convenient amenities such as an area-jogging map, Nespresso machine, umbrellas and a bedside charging station.
- Offering plenty of room for two people to comfortably use at the same time, the bathrooms feature his-and-her vanity areas and a separate bath tub with a large flat-screen television and LED touchscreen panel that controls the cable channels, digital radio and bathroom lighting.
The Restaurants
- The Five-Star hotel has long been a pioneer: its flagship fine-dining eatery, Gaddi’s, was Hong Kong’s first traditional French restaurant and remains at the top of the culinary scene.
- Chesa was the first (and is one of only two) classic Swiss restaurants, a surreal escape of timber framed Alpine “cabin” serving raclette and fondue.
- The recently renovated Verandah is immensely popular for all three meals, but its breakfast buffet is especially impressive with a full array of Eastern, Western and European dishes including omelet and cooked-to-order congee stations.
- Spring Moon is gastronomic Cantonese, while Imasa specializes in modern Japanese, with kaiseki menus, shabu shabu, sukiyaki and tableside preparations of tempura and sushi.
- On the highest floor is Felix, the Philippe Stark-designed contemporary European eatery, a big a draw for its glitz, glamour and views as well as for its excellent food.
Amenities
24-hour room service 
Babysitting services
Bar
House car
Indoor pool
Meeting rooms
Restaurants
Spa
Getting There
Stories
