From Norma in Globe Bleu’s Sydney office…
Staying at The Peninsula, you can’t help but feel a little bit like a celebrity or royalty, especially since over the years a myriad of stars of stage and screen, authors, musicians and political figures have strolled through it’s doors. Nicknamed “The Pen”, The Peninsula is THE hotel to stay in Hong Kong and I had the opportunity of staying there on my last visit in August.
I stayed in a Deluxe Room, so luxuriously appointed that I didn’t want
to leave it. With a spa bath and TV in the bathroom, when you have
jetlag it was the ideal place to be.
Located on the Kowloon side, The hotel faces Hong Kong Island and is built on the tip of the peninsula with a spectacular city skyline. If you’re unsure of where to stay in Hong Kong and you’re wanting to ‘shop till you drop’ then Kowloon’s for you. Located in the hub of the shopping precinct of Tsim Sha Tsui and on the corner of Salisbury & Nathan Roads, it’s a shopper’s paradise with a huge selection of designer shops right through to lively markets. Plus if you haven’t shopped enough outside, there are 80 boutiques in The Peninsula Hotel shopping arcade. There are also tailor shops galore if you want something made.
I particularly love the buzz and excitement of Hong Kong, it’s vibrancy and neon lights. I love that all shops are open till late into the night, even till 11.00pm! How good is that!
The Promenade in East Tsim Sha Tsui located across the road, is a great place to start and has wonderful views of Victor Harbour and Hong Kong Island. It is particularly spectacular at night with a ‘Symphony of Lights’ light show each evening at 8pm that is not to be missed. This multimedia display, already described in the Guinness World Records as the “World’s Largest Permanent Light and Sound Show”, includes 44 buildings on both sides of Victoria Harbour participating in the show. With lights beaming across the harbour from both sides, it’s an all-round vision of coloured lights almost dancing on the buildings, laser beams and searchlights performing a stunning visual spectacle synchronised to music with a narration in both English and Chinese. The best place to see it is either on a dinner cruise, or anywhere along the Promenade.
The Lobby was probably my favourite place, it was absolutely breathtaking. With high ceilings and ornate carvings on the tops of the columns, it certainly was one of the most elegant and sophisticated I’ve ever seen. You could sit there all-day people-watching too as it offers meals from breakfast onwards, complete with live classical music over afternoon tea and a lively Jazz band in the evenings.
The pool and spa were a close second – with their stunning views of the Hong Kong skyline.
I just loved Hong Kong and the Peninsula – it’s not every day I get to stay at such glamorous and gorgeous hotels. What more could a girl ask for?