The Peninsula Hong Kong is one on the most famous hotels in the world. It opened in Kowloon, Hong Kong in December of 1928, built with the idea that it would be "the finest hotel east of Suez." Founded by members of the Kadoorie family, the hotel today is part of the Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels group headed by Michael Kadoorie.

Passengers arriving in Hong Kong by ocean liner disembarked onto the quais of Kowloon plus, it was the last stop on the trans-Siberian rail link that brought travelers from Europe. As such, the Peninsula hotel was ideally situated to take advantage of the increasing number of wealthy visitors to the area.

From the moment the hotel opened its doors to the first guest, the Peninsula name has been synonymous with welcoming the rich, the famous, the titled and the titans of industry to a place of unsurpassed luxury and service.

On December 25, 1941, British colonial officials headed by the Governor of Hong Kong, Mark Aitchison Young, surrendered in person at the Japanese headquarters on the third floor of The Peninsula.

In 1994, a 30-storey tower was added in the same original style and the hotel installed a helipad for clients. The most expensive, and the last colonial hotel in Hong Kong, the Peninsula is a place for those willing to pay several thousand US dollars per night for one of its exclusive suites.

The bar-restaurant Felix, located on the 28th floor, was designed by Philippe Starck.

On of the more unusual and notable design features of the hotel is the layout of the upper-floor men's washrooms, which have a wide panorama window above the urinals, providing male guests with a wonderful view.

There are other "Peninsula" hotels in the worldwide group:

• The Peninsula New York
• The Peninsula Chicago
• The Peninsula Beverly Hills
• The Peninsula Bangkok
• The Peninsula Palace Beijing
• The Peninsula Manila

See also

• List of buildings, sites and areas in Hong Kong

External link

• http://hongkong.peninsula.com