The Peninsula Hong Kong, fondly referred to as “The Pen,” celebrates its 80th birthday this year. The property sits at the tip of Kowloon overlooking Victoria Harbor and has been host to almost every major actor, politician and celebrity to have passed through the city.
The addition of a 30-story tower in 1994 increased the hotel’s capacity to 300 rooms and suites, and the property is famous for its fleet of 14 Rolls Royces that ferry guests to and from the airport or around the city. Rainy Chan, The Pen’s general manger, spoke recently to TravelAge West about her hotel’s yearlong birthday party.
What special programs are The Pen offering to help celebrate its 80th birthday? What has been the most popular program so far?
The Afternoon Tea Dance is by far the most popular. We started it in March, and we’re completely sold out for the rest of the year. It happens only on the first Sunday of each month. Then, we also have our cultural programs — the Heritage Program and Feng Shui, both of which take the guests out of the hotel. The Nature Program is very popular too.
What is the Afternoon Tea Dance program like?
Well, it’s not like normal afternoon tea. We close the lobby and bring out glassware and cutlery from the old days. We still had a lot of it in storage and we took it out. The champagne glasses are from the 1950s and 1960s. In the 1930s, Hong Kong society held their balls in our lobby. For the program, we have a big band playing in the middle of the lobby, and people must get dressed up in their Sunday best, just like how people used to dress. And we have a singer in a traditional white Chinese dress. I go every Sunday just to feel it. We also have the old-fashioned cigarette girls, but since smoking is no longer allowed they sell chocolate cigars instead.
Is it for hotel guests only?
No. In fact, the Afternoon Tea Dances are more of a local event. It’s not a big profit-maker. It’s more about being proud of our heritage and Hong Kong’s [heritage].
How does the Culinary Journey work with its six courses around the hotel? Do people move from restaurant to restaurant?
Guests start in the lobby where they have champagne and some appetizers. Then, they move on to Spring Moon, where they have two dishes, then to Gaddis where they can have two more and finally to Felix, our rooftop restaurant on the 28th floor, where they end the evening with dessert and coffee or tea. It’s not a group thing — people can go at their own pace.
Can you tell us more about your Nature Program?
The Nature Program is probably the most impressive, but it’s also pretty expensive. Guests take off from the hotel rooftop in a helicopter to get an overview of the city. Not a lot of people know this, but 27 percent of Hong Kong is made up of parks — not just about shopping and eating. The only access to these parks is by boat, helicopter or walking.
What special arrangements, if any, is the hotel making for the Olympics?
The summer months are usually slow for bookings, but we are quite busy [this year]. The average stay for guests is about two nights. In August, we expect bookings to be in the high 80s and 90s as we get close to the Olympics. The equestrian events are in Hong Kong. We are supporting them, but we can’t provide tickets.
Which do guests prefer — the helicopter airport transfer or the Rolls Royce? What goodies, if any, await a guest inside the Rolls?
The Rolls Royces. Who wouldn’t? Our guests like it so much they don’t even want to talk to the drivers. The ride is goodie enough.
The Peninsula Hong Kong
866-382-8388
www.hongkong.peninsula.com
