The Peninsula

Description:

• This is Hong Kong's most famous hotel, the place to stay if you are an incurable romantic and have a penchant for the historical. Built in 1928, it exudes elegance, from its white-gloved doormen and one of the world's largest limousine fleets of Rolls-Royces to its ornate lobby, reminiscent of a Parisian palace and Hong Kong's foremost spot for afternoon tea and people-watching. After The Peninsula lost its fabled view of the harbor following construction of the unsightly Space Museum across the street, it remedied the problem in 1993 with a 32-story tower providing fantastic harbor views from guest rooms and its top-floor restaurant Felix, designed by Philippe Starck. Spacious rooms (with a minimum of 41 sq. m/441 sq. ft.) -- so wonderfully equipped that even jaded travelers are likely to be impressed -- include headphones for both radio and TV; tightly focused bedside reading lights designed to keep sleeping partners happy; telephones and control panels on both sides of gigantic beds; a display panel showing outdoor temperature and humidity; mood lighting; and a box in the closet where attendants can place your morning newspaper or take your dirty shoes for complimentary cleaning. Each huge bathroom is equipped with its own TV, hands-free phone (which automatically mutes the TV or radio and digitally filters the sound of running water), and two sinks, both with a magnifying mirror. It's worth the extra money to spring for a stunning harbor view in the tower if you can afford it, since views facing the back are a disappointment and those in the older part of the hotel are marred by the Space Museum. For the culture-minded, The Peninsula offers classes on everything from tai chi and feng shui to cooking; for the travel-weary, its spa focuses on the journey to rejuvenation with views of the harbor from its sauna. I absolutely love this place.

  Facilities: 6 restaurants, including Gaddi's, Felix, and Spring Moon; 2 bars; lounge; gorgeous indoor pool w/sun terrace overlooking the harbor; health club; spa; concierge; business center; designer-brand shopping arcade; 24-hr. room service; babysitting; in-house nurse; practice music room w/grand piano.

  In room: A/C, satellite TV/DVD/CD w/free in-house movies, fax (silent, w/personal fax number), minibar, hair dryer, safe, free Wi-Fi and high-speed Internet access.

• © Frommer's 2012

Awards:

Travel + Leisure

•  World's Best 2009

Travel + Leisure 500

•  Best Hotel 2008
•  Best Hotel 2009

Conde Nast Traveler

•  Readers' Travel Award Winner 2008

Frommer's

•  Very Highly Recommended 2010

ForbesTraveler

•  Forbes Traveler 400 2008

Other features:

A shopping plaza with more than 80 haute shops is on-site.