Hong Kong's luxury hospitality legend celebrates 85 years of tradition well served
Updated: 2013-05-31 06:27
By Chai Hua(HK Edition)
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The Peninsula Hong Kong has built its reputation on the finest traditions of service and hospitality and has gained an inimitable status as the city's landmark since 1928, Chai Hua reports.
One of Hong Kong's most prestigious hotels, The Peninsula Hong Kong, has launched a year of campaigns and activities since March to celebrate its 85th anniversary, paying tribute to the unique traditions of both the hotel and the city.
"Keeping the Peninsula tradition completely intact while bringing modernity to our future is our brand's most valued philosophy," says Rainy N.K. Chan, Area Vice-President, Hong Kong and Thailand, The Peninsula Hotels and General Manager, The Peninsula Hong Kong.
"With age comes tradition, which is something we very much value and honor. So our goal is all about honoring Hong Kong's best and its wonderful traditions," Chan says.
The hotel has scheduled its celebration activities on every Sunday, with the highlight being the monthly Afternoon Tea Dance in The Lobby, taking place on the first Sunday of every month.
"It's not only about the Tea Dance itself, but where it is held," says Chan. "To enjoy the Tea Dance in a hotel that created this tradition in the 1940s is very special. Our hotel lobby has not really changed, so when you are enjoying the Tea Dance, you're really dancing back in time."
As part of the hotel's Signature Sunday activities, "The Peninsula MINI Surprises Around Town" is held on the third Sunday of every month to recapture Hong Kong's traditions. In May, the Pen MINI sent out cocktail buns, a traditional fare at the Sunbeam Theatre, one of Hong Kong's oldest cinemas, following a series of other traditions that were brought to life in previous months, such as pineapple buns and airplane olives at different locations around the city.
Guests can also join the celebrations and experience the best traditions of The Peninsula's restaurants and bars, including legendary tableside guridon silver service at Gaddi's, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year.
In addition to preserving traditions, The Peninsula is also looking to create new ones for the future. The hotel is committed to incorporate arts as an integral part of the city's traditions by providing Hong Kong artists, especially young talent, an opportunity to perform in the heart of the hotel - the Lobby.
"I'd like to see more art and culture experiences being built and established for Hong Kong as I think that is important to maintain Hong Kong's status as an international destination." says Chan.
In order to encourage children to learn about performing arts, the hotel has partnered with The Hong Kong Youth Arts Foundation, inviting the foundation's talented children to bring specially choreographed performances to the hotel.
This year also marks the celebration of the rejuvenation of the city's oldest hotel. While The Peninsula turns 85 this year, its product is one of the newest in Hong Kong after a recent guest-room renovation program.
When walking into the classically modern new rooms, guests will be surprised by its simplicity: Where are all the colorful, palatial and glamorous furniture and decoration? But further discovery of the suite will reveal a sense of home - the bespoke luxury, detailed craftsmanship, comfort and convenience - all tailored for guests' needs.
The room-enhancement program is not meant to show off ornate or flamboyant displays and designs, but to offer guests considerate design touches in refined artisan detailing, in line with its philosophy of combing tradition with modernity.
For example, the hotel has upgraded its bedside panels, a tradition first created by The Peninsula in 1994, into a customized interactive digital bedside and desk tablet, allowing full control of all in-room functions including mood lighting and curtain control.
The device also includes a new virtual city guide, real-time weather and flight information, as well as access to hotel services and restaurant menus. All the information featured on the tablet is available in five languages now, and will be increased to 11 languages in July.
Some new art installations, such as the Scholars' Rocks by Beijing designer Sun Wentao and freeform art installations inspired by Chinese ink paintings, create an environment of peace and tranquility for guests.
The room's entertainment function is also enhanced, featuring integrated platforms for 90 international TV stations, 450 Internet radio channels and movies, streaming independently on both the tablets and the 46-inch, flat-screen, Blue-ray LED television.
One of the hotel's traditions that Chan is most proud of is its long-service staff, who can't be replaced by any technology and special designs.
"We have the most number of long-service staff amongst Hong Kong hotels: more than 50 percent of the staff have worked here from 5 to 19 years and another 10 percent from 19 to 55 years," says Chan, who has herself been with the hotel for almost 20 years.
Our staff grow together with the Peninsula, just as the hotel has grown with the city itself. The hotel helped define the Tsim Sha Tsui district today because there was no luxury or even decent hotels in the area back in 1920s when the Peninsula decided to build the finest hotel in Asia and made it a landmark.
After the old airport authorities lifted their height restrictions in the 1990s, the Peninsula started a renovation to add the Tower extension, and two new landmarks were created - Felix, the first roof-top restaurant in Kowloon district, and the helicopter landing pad, which is still the only functioning rooftop helipad in a hotel in Hong Kong.
The hotel has also shared some historical moments with the special administrative region. On Christmas night in 1941, the British colonial officials surrendered and signed the agreement with the Japanese on the third floor of The Peninsula.
(HK Edition 05/31/2013 page2)