Having survived the hurdles of flying second class (a less than festive eight hours of his life with non-vintage Piper Heidsieck in lieu of anything better), the Sybaritic Single finally reached Hong Kong.
Thankfully, a thoughtful minder sent by The Peninsula ushered the exhausted traveller, his wooden trunk and other vaudeville tack directly into the purring Rolls-Royce. A bottle of the hotel’s signature and much more palatable Deutz Champagne was chilled and patiently waiting.
The Grand Dame of the East – the other name of The Peninsula Hong Kong – took last year’s fashionista festive theme even further. From the outside, giant Chanel pearls adorn the iconic façade – an ode to Hong Kong’s nickname, the ‘Pearl of the Orient’ – while inside, one can admire one of the largest and prettiest illuminated Christmas trees in town. Naturally, it’s all-Chanel.
New for this year is a life-sized installation of The Peninsula Express and the Grand Salisbury Station platform, which sit adjacent to The Verandah restaurant and take guests on an alpine journey via its signature green train carriage and digital displays on the wall.
Right on track, the theme itself is a nod to the golden age of train travel in the 1920s, when the hotel used to welcome its festive guests who usually arrived by train.
As the Sybaritic Single checked-in and enjoyed his morning swim, he decided to spend the first morning of 2023 right by the splashing waters of Victoria Harbour, enjoying the sparkle of the waves, the screaming seagulls and the fresh breeze on his face. Simplicity is the ultimate luxury. Chanel pearls, gleaming Rolls-Royces, his favourite hotel and popping Champagne bottles shall forever remain waiting for him.
