The Peninsula Hotels is the hotel division of Asian-based hospitality group Hong Kong and Shanghai Hotels (HSH). The first site, known affectionately as the Grande Dame, was The Peninsula Hong Kong, which opened its doors in 1928. The quality of this hotel has set the standard for the rest of the chain. Set up with the aim of being the finest hotel east of the Suez, it now boasts a Philippe Starck-designed restaurant and is consistently voted one of the top luxury hotels in the world.
Development of the group has been measured: the nine-strong chain is made up of sites in Manila (1979), New York (1988), Beijing (1989), Beverly Hills (1991), Bangkok (1998), Tokyo (2001), Chicago (2001) and Shanghai (2009). The Peninsula Spa brand by ESPA was first introduced in 2006, with the Hong Kong, and Bangkok properties being the first two properties to benefit.
While future growth will be just as steady – the next site will open in Paris in 2013 (see p34) – the financial position of the group looks strong, with turnover up by 6 per cent in 2011 (see p38). And despite being a global brand, the company has remained tight knit, with the hotel, spa teams and head office working closely together.
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