Photo of the day No. 54 - The Peninsula Hotel in Hong Kong
It is the little things done properly that make a hotel great
Me Jamie, your host, I am English and I have lived in Hong Kong for 53 years - I know the place.
I have personally completed 2,340+ Private Tours and Experiences (over 6,000+ guests) since April 2011 and I am considered one of the finest Private Tour Guides in Asia.
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Photo of the day No. 54 - The Peninsula Hotel in Hong Kong
It is the little things done properly that make a hotel great
The complete history and story of the Peninsula Hotel in Hong Kong and do they have a history of providing excellence and are they considered one of the best Hotels in Hong Kong? and yes, this all relates to the image I took in June 2025 above - my point is very simple | It is the little things that make a difference
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I have literally been in the Peninsula Hotel in Hong Kong many thousands of times since early January 1972, it captivated me as a kid and now, well it is still captivating even if I grouse a bit about slipping standards which I am quite sure they are aware of and the new Hotel General Manager will fix.
My big gripe is the lack of seating in the main lobby ie sofa’s and such, there are only 4 chairs and particularly in the morning the lobby has the atmosphere of a morgue, hardly any people and no one wants to buy expensive drinks and snacks whilst waiting for someone, they really should address this as all the 5 star hotel competition does lobby seating much better in Hong Kong.
There is a concept attributed to Sir Dave Brailsford, the former performance director of British Cycling, Brailsford popularized the idea of the "aggregation of marginal gains," which suggests that success comes from making small, incremental improvements across many areas.
I have been a business consultant (as well as a tour guide for 15 years) for over 40 years specialising in Sales and Marketing and for decades I used the phrase "doing 100 things 1% better than everyone else" While not worded exactly as Sir Dave Brailsford’s quote the sentiment aligns closely with this philosophy and as a Yorkshireman who speaks in plain English I would never use a phrase like "aggregation of marginal gains,"!
I took this image recently of this young female employee of the Peninsula Hotel who was polishing the brass sign for the famous Gaddi’s restaurant at the Peninsula Hotel with a certain amount of gusto and it made me smile, it might be a small matter but if you improve a hundred small matters it can make a huge difference.
It is the little things that make a difference
There are plenty of brass signs at the main entrance of the Peninsula Hotel as well and they are always kept very shiny, in the overall scheme of things the overwhelming majority of people would not notice the signs but the Peninsula Hotel has been around since 1928 and they surely embrace the idea of doing 100 things better by 1%, the Luxury Hotel Market in Hong Kong has a lot of fabulous Hotels but I always gravitate to the Peninsula Hotel, they are absolutely dedicated to excellence
I have some awesome friends in Australia, Craig and Deb who visit Hong Kong on a regular basis, we are around the same age and they always stay in the Peninsula Hotel and they always treat me to a buffet breakfast in the Verandah restaurant before we go out for the day, it is the highlight of the year for me! and I have actually been in all of their bars and restaurants… they are all splendid.
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Hong Kong Hotels - The Iconic Peninsula Hotel est. 1928 | The amazing staff
… and a note about the staff, not just Management but the worker bees so to speak which are no less important but quite often ignored, at the Peninsula Hotel quite a few of the “door people” have hearing and speaking disabilities and it is testimony to the greatness of the Kadoorie family who own the Hotel that they offer an important job to people with disabilities, I have lived in Hong Kong a long time and I can tell you now, this is NOT common at all, they are super friendly and all have that winning smile, I just love them to bits.
One final personal point about a specific hotel, a lot of people rave about the Upper House Hotel on Hong Kong Island.
The Upper House in Hong Kong is widely regarded as a fantastic 5-star hotel, consistently praised for its understated luxury, exceptional service, and unique design. (however it does not have a Spa or Swimming pool)
So what is my issue with the Upper House, well as a Private Tour Guide for 15 years I have been to pretty much every hotel of note in Hong Kong multiple times as I pick my guests up from the lobby in the Hotel and boy, i am NOT a fan of the Upper House Hotel lobby, technically it seems to have 2 lobbies and you access the upper lobby via a long escalator, the street level lobby is tiny and is a terrible place to sit for more than a few minutes, the upper lobby has some nice seats and books to read but has precisely zero atmosphere, it is quite dreadful.. I have only been there a handful of times and whilst the rooms are super, the staff who are invariably young, cool and social media friendly feel a little contrived compared to most 5 star Hotels and they are not a patch on the staff of the Peninsula Hotel.
I am old school, a 5 star hotel lobby must be big and grand and full of people…..
The Complete History and Story of The Peninsula Hotel Hong Kong
Early Beginnings and Founding (1928)
The Peninsula Hong Kong, often referred to as the "Grande Dame of the Far East," was founded by the Kadoorie family, a prominent Jewish-Iraqi family from Baghdad, with the ambition to create "the finest hotel east of Suez." Plans for the hotel were first drawn up in 1921 under the banner of the Hong Kong Hotels Limited, with brothers Ellis and Elly Kadoorie leading the initiative. The hotel was strategically located in Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, opposite the quays where ocean liners docked and near the Kowloon-Canton Railway, a key stop on the Trans-Siberian Railway route from Europe.
Construction faced delays due to regional instability, including a strike in Hong Kong and the Chinese Civil War, but the hotel officially opened its doors on December 11, 1928, with a grand carnival dinner dance in its roof garden ballroom. The opening was overseen by the Hon. Mr. W.T. Southorn, C.M.G., and the managing director J.H. Taggart.
Designed in an Italianate style with Edwardian and Second Empire influences, the hotel’s lobby featured ornamental stained glass, intricate woodwork, and luxurious carpets, setting a tone of colonial elegance. From its inception, The Peninsula became a social hub, hosting Sunday concerts, nightly dinners, and Afternoon Tea Dances, attracting Hong Kong’s elite, international travelers, and celebrities like Charlie Chaplin, Paulette Goddard, Clark Gable, and Elizabeth Taylor. A 1929 banquet honoring the Duke of Gloucester cemented its reputation as a venue for prestige and glamour.
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Hong Kong Hotels - The Iconic Peninsula Hotel est. 1928 | Room 336 and it's day in History in December 1941... amazing (see below)
World War II and Japanese Occupation (1941–1945)
The Peninsula’s history was profoundly shaped by World War II. During the Battle of Hong Kong in December 1941, Japanese forces invaded, and on December 25, 1941—known as "Black Christmas"—British colonial officials, led by Governor Sir Mark Aitchison Young, surrendered to the Japanese at the hotel’s third-floor headquarters in Room 336. The hotel was renamed the "Toa Hotel" (East Asia Hotel) and repurposed to house Japanese officers and dignitaries. Governor Young was confined in a hotel suite for two months before being transferred to a prisoner-of-war camp in Shanghai. In 1942, Colonel Robert Lee Scott Jr., a U.S. Army Air Forces commander, described attacking the hotel during an aerial raid, targeting Japanese officers visible on the fire escapes. After the war ended in August 1945, the hotel was requisitioned to house Jewish refugees from Shanghai, facilitated by the Kadoorie family’s efforts to secure visas for them.
Post-War Recovery and Expansion (1945–1990s)
After British rule was restored in 1945, The Peninsula resumed its role as a luxury hotel. In 1948, Leo Gaddi was appointed general manager, and in 1953, the hotel opened Gaddi’s, Asia’s first traditional French restaurant, named after him to ensure his commitment to its success. The restaurant remains a culinary landmark in Hong Kong.
The hotel also became known for its fleet of Rolls-Royce Silver Shadows, acquired in 1970 in the largest single order Rolls-Royce had ever received at the time, painted in the distinctive "Peninsula green." This fleet, expanded over the years, became a symbol of the hotel’s luxury.
In 1994, a major expansion added a 30-story tower, increasing the room count to 300 (including 132 new rooms and suites) while preserving the original colonial facade, lobby, and forecourt. The tower introduced modern amenities, including a rooftop helipad for VIP transfers to Hong Kong International Airport, a Roman-inspired indoor pool, and the Philippe Starck-designed Felix restaurant on the 28th floor, offering panoramic views of Victoria Harbour. The expansion also added 10 floors of office space and an expanded shopping arcade housing luxury brands like Chanel, Dior, and Hermès.
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Hong Kong Hotels - The Iconic Peninsula Hotel est. 1928 | The Iconic Lobby - great for people watching
Modern Era and Continued Prestige (2000s–Present)
The Peninsula underwent a HK$450 million refurbishment in 2013 for its 85th anniversary, modernizing its 300 rooms with high-tech features like tablets for room control, 3D televisions, and LED wall panels while maintaining its colonial charm. The hotel introduced a small museum in the former music room and a lounge dedicated to the China Clippers, the seaplanes that connected Hong Kong and San Francisco in the 1930s and 1940s. Its dining options expanded to eight restaurants and bars, including Michelin-recognized Spring Moon (Cantonese) and Gaddi’s (French), alongside Chesa (Swiss), Imasa (Japanese), and The Verandah (continental buffet). The Lobby’s afternoon tea, served with live music, remains a Hong Kong institution.
The hotel’s commitment to sustainability was highlighted in 2012 when it banned shark fin soup, a controversial delicacy, and in 2015, it committed to using only cage-free eggs by 2025 in response to animal welfare concerns. The Peninsula continues to set records with its Rolls-Royce fleet, purchasing 14 bespoke Phantom limousines in 2006, customized for guest comfort with features like enlarged luggage compartments and rear-seat cool boxes.The Peninsula has also been a cultural and cinematic landmark, featured in films like The Dark Knight (2007) and recognized as a Select Member of The Most Famous Hotels in the World. Its location in Tsim Sha Tsui, near the Star Ferry and MTR, offers stunning views of Victoria Harbour and proximity to Kowloon’s shopping and entertainment districts.
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Hong Kong Hotels - The Iconic Peninsula Hotel est. 1928 | The Hotel Cars - new Rolls Royces and Bentleys
Challenges and Resilience
Throughout its history, The Peninsula has navigated challenges, from economic crises and wars to Hong Kong’s 1997 handover to China. The Kadoorie family’s hands-on management, including personal oversight by Sir Michael Kadoorie and his father, Lawrence, ensured stability. The hotel’s ability to blend heritage with innovation—maintaining its colonial aesthetic while integrating modern technology—has kept it relevant. Its reputation for personalized service, such as staff remembering guests’ names and providing gold-embossed stationery, underscores its commitment to excellence.
History of Excellence and Reputation as One of Hong Kong’s Best Hotels
The Peninsula Hong Kong has a well-documented history of providing exceptional hospitality, earning its nickname as the "Grande Dame of the Far East." Since its 1928 opening, it has been synonymous with luxury, attracting royalty, celebrities, and dignitaries. Its colonial architecture, impeccable service, and prime location have consistently placed it among the world’s elite hotels. The hotel’s pioneering efforts, such as introducing Hong Kong’s first French restaurant (Gaddi’s) and maintaining the largest private Rolls-Royce fleet, have set industry standards.
Awards and Recognition:
Forbes Travel Guide: The Peninsula is a Five-Star hotel, praised for its blend of Old World charm and modern innovation, with Gaddi’s and Spring Moon recognized as culinary landmarks.
Telegraph Hotel Awards 2024: Ranked number four among the world’s 50 greatest hotels, lauded for balancing heritage grandeur with modern panache.
MICHELIN Guide: Described as the "archetypal Asian colonial hotel," with world-class service and dining options like Felix and Gaddi’s.
Tripadvisor Reviews: With over 2,400 reviews, it ranks highly among Hong Kong hotels (e.g., #60 of 617 in 2025), with guests praising its timeless glamour, spacious rooms, and exceptional service. Reviewers highlight the Verandah’s world-class breakfast buffet and the iconic afternoon tea.Service Excellence:
Guests consistently note the hotel’s attentive yet discreet service, with staff trained to anticipate needs while respecting privacy. The Peninsula’s ability to maintain high standards through renovations, such as the 2013 upgrade, ensures it remains competitive with newer hotels like the Mandarin Oriental and Rosewood. Its shopping arcade, featuring authentic luxury brands, and unique amenities like the helipad and bespoke Rolls-Royces enhance its prestige.Comparison to Other
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Hong Kong Hotels - The Iconic Peninsula Hotel est. 1928 | Afternoon Tea in the lobby - what a treat!
Hong Kong Hotels:
While Hong Kong boasts other prestigious hotels like the Mandarin Oriental, Ritz-Carlton, the Four Seasons, The Upper House and Rosewood and not forgetting the newly refurbished Regent Hotel, The Peninsula stands out as the city’s oldest operating luxury hotel, embodying a unique blend of colonial history and modern sophistication. Its central Kowloon location, less hectic than Hong Kong Island’s business district, offers a relaxed yet luxurious experience with unmatched views of Victoria Harbour. Reviews suggest it outshines competitors in heritage and service consistency, though some note its rooms can feel tech-heavy compared to minimalist luxury hotels.
Critical Perspective:
While The Peninsula’s reputation is stellar, it has faced criticism, notably for its use of battery-caged eggs until committing to cage-free by 2025. Some guests find the reliance on high-tech room features less intuitive than traditional luxury. However, these are minor compared to its overwhelming praise for service, dining, and ambiance.
Conclusion
The Peninsula Hong Kong, since its 1928 opening, has been a cornerstone of Asian hospitality, evolving from a colonial-era landmark to a modern luxury icon. Its history reflects Hong Kong’s own—marked by resilience through war, occupation, and political change. With its award-winning restaurants, iconic Rolls-Royce fleet, and unwavering commitment to personalized service, it is widely regarded as one of Hong Kong’s best hotels, if not the world’s, consistently ranking among global elites. Its ability to preserve its heritage while embracing innovation ensures its enduring status as a leader in luxury hospitality.
My insider tip
Please note that in general if you book a tour on Viator or Tripadvisor you generally have NO control over what guide will lead your Private Tour of Hong Kong and this is the most important component of the tour. I urge you to check the actual company website and book via their website and do not forget to read Tripadvisor reviews as well.
© Jamie Lloyd | J3 Consultants Hong Kong | J3 Private Tours Hong Kong |
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