Introduction

The flight from Bangkok arrives in Hong Kong on time. There aren‘t many travellers about, and I haven‘t bothered checking in my suitcase either. So, thirty minutes after landing, I‘m already exiting through immigration. It‘s good to be back!

A representative from the Peninsula is standing just opposite the exit from immigration and holding up a sign with my name. He welcomes me to Hong Kong, takes my luggage, and asks me to follow him out to ‚the car‘.

And what a car it is! To be honest, I‘m not sure if it‘s a Rolls or a Bentley. Whatever the case may be, I have a strong compulsion to start waving out the window like the Queen used to the moment we drive off.

The journey from Hong Kong airport to the Peninsula Hotel takes thirty minutes in good traffic.

Location

The Peninsula Hong Kong sits on the corner of Salisbury Road and Nathan Road in Tsim Sha Tsui, overlooking the harbour.

On either side of the entrance, two mighty lions carved of stone protect the entrance to the hotel. There are also two doormen in attendance.

The Room

The car pulls up to the curb, where a young lady from reception is already expecting me. She greets me and tells me she‘ll show me to my room, so we can do the check-in there.

We pass through the elegant foyer, which is decorated in beautiful bouquets of pink flowers, on the way. As we go, all the staff we pass politely greet us.

My room is on the 23rd floor, and facing north, so on the opposite side to the water.

The room is perfectly equipped and comes with its own fax machine, Nespresso machine, hairy dryer, and nail dryer. The design is something that I would suggest describing as elegant with a contemporary Asian twist.

There is a nightly turn town service, which may be just a little thing but certainly adds to the feeling of being welcome at the hotel.

The bed is super comfortable and has just the right firmness to be supportive but without being hard.

The slippers are fluffy and have a bit of a heel for extra comfort.

There‘s a plate of fruit and a small box of pralines as a welcome gift.

The tea and Nespresso capsules are replenished daily.

The bathroom is enormous. It features a bath, a separate walk-in shower, and two wash basins facing each other.

The cosmetics are lovely and have a beautiful flowery scent that is slightly old-fashioned and perfectly fits the hotel‘s ambiance.

Dining at the Peninsula

The hotel has several very good restaurants. There is the lobby on the ground floor, and then there are several restaurants on the first floor, which is also where breakfast is served. In addition, there‘s also a rooftop bar on the 28th floor.

The beakfast is simply divine and offers a wide selection of dishes from around the globe. I can highly recommend their pancake soufflé. But really, everything they serve from the breakfast buffet is excellent.

And so is the service! Everytime I stand up to go to the buffet, my napkin is neatly folded and placed back on the table. And no sooner have I downed my last schluck of coffee, a waiter appears by my side to suggest I have another.

Afternoon Tea in the Lobby

Afternoon tea at the Peninsula is served between 14:00 and 18:00 and is quite an institution in Hong Kong. It‘s normally on a first come, first served basis. However, if you‘re staying at the hotel, you can make a reservation any time.

The lobby lounge is lovely. Up on the balcony on the first floor overlooking the lobby, an orchestra is set up to entertain guests.

There is an interesting selection of teas available. I go for something slightly unusual and forego my usual Earl Grey in favour of a black tea perfumed with cardamom and saffron, which is exquisite. More importantly, the tea is served properly, the way it should be – with a separate pot of hot water.

The food is served on a three-tier étagère and is very classic in its set up.

With the scones they serve clotted cream and strawberry preserves.

A Post-Afternoon Tea Walk

After tea, I decide to walk off some of the calories. So, I go down to the ferry pier and catch the Star Ferry across the harbour to Central. From there I walk to the Bank of China building and head up the side of it to the terminus for the peak tram.

The view from above is breathtaking, especially in the evenings and when it‘s not too humid and hazy.

And then from the Peak I walk back down to Central to catch the ferry across, which is a walk of about one hour, perhaps a bit more.

Conclusion

Hong Kong was my first overseas trip ever. It was the first time, as a teenager, that my parents allowed me to travel so far away on my own. I‘ve always had a soft spot for Hong Kong, and not just because of the old Kai Tak airport.

Although I was here to present a paper, and spent most of my time at the conference venue, it was really great to be back. I‘m still very fond of Hong Kong.

The Peninsula is a beautiful and incredibly well managed hotel that celebrates its heritage and its traditions. The staff have obviously been very well trained and seem genuinely friendly. I hope I‘ll be back some day.