Imagine you’re staying at a 5 star luxury hotel in Paris and you’ve been treated like a one of a kind smoked salmon canapé topped with premium caviar and 24 carat edible gold leaf, paired with Russian Bellini. Sounds ravishing, a bit snooty but rarely experienced in London. I’m not the type of person who require special treatment, I prefer the ‘treat me like a friend’ vibe. After all I’m after the first class experience.
Back in early spring this year, us, friendly press-ladies* arrived in style at The Peninsula Paris via Eurostar from London, shame that I was dressed in the certain style (unprepared for the hotel arrival outfit) that did not bode well with the exquisite entrance, ripped boyfriends jeans, chunky boots, loose shirt and thick leather jacket. Totes Brit’n’grunge style, yo! The grand entrance in the lobby speaks for itself, understated, the epic centre of activity, designed for arrival in style. The stunning belle epoque restaurant The Lobby located next to the hotel reception reminds me closer to home. The Peninsula Hong Kong. It’s the oldest luxury hotel in Hong Kong (and the founding hotel group which operates ten hotels across Asia, Europe and the United States), it’s well worth a visit.
A spot of afternoon lunch at the aviation-theme restaurant L’Oiseau Blanc on top floor of the hotel, (see image slide above) with spectacular views looking across Paris from the roof top terrace and restaurant. How are you doing, Paris?
In today’s day and age, what technology advance will cater to world luxury travellers? According to dazeinfo.com – ”In 2012 around 58.2% of the global population was using mobile phone, this percentage grew to 61.1% in 2013 and is further expected to grow up 63.5% of the global population. By 2017 around 69.4% of the world’s population is expected to use mobile phones.”
The Peninsula Paris combines past & present, heritage and state-of-the-art technology, all rooms and suites are equipped with interactive digital tablets presets in any one of 11 languages. Concerning the older guests who aren’t digital savvy enough to work out how to use the advance technology, like my mum who is in her mid 50s has just learned how to use an iPhone a year ago and still struggle with it. Everything is controlled and accessed at the touch of a button; curtains, room lighting, temperature, air ventilation, room service et al. My room the Deluxe Room (not pictured) was super spacious easily to perform a double cartwheel, elegant furniture, embellished with curated artworks, and a walk-in wardrobe. Last but not least, my favourite kind of evening activity after a full body massage spa experience, indulge in a hot bubble bath with Oscar de la Renta’s scented bath gel, the marble tub was deep enough to submerge myself in it. Could do with a good night’s sleep in a comfy queen-sized bed after that bubble bath, appreciating the touch and feel of quality Egyptian cotton sheets, fluffy down duvet and pillows, slowly stroking them in a perverse sort of way. Cheers to 8 hours of undisturbed sleep.
One of the highlights during my stay were the amazing lunch menu and afternoon tea at The Lobby, you cannot fault the food and service. As spring** finally sprung in Paris, and the start of cherry blossom festival in Japan. Pink cherry blossoms adorned its restaurants and public spaces during the entire week of the festival, we were introduced to sweet and savoury delicacies for an exclusive Japanese Afternoon Tea served at The Lobby created by Executive Pastry Chef Shigeru Nojima from The Peninsula Tokyo. Blended in with live acoustic band playing a selection of music scores from the Studio Ghibli’s iconic anime films; Graves of the Fire Flies, Laputa: Castle in the Sky, Princess Mononoke and Howl’s Moving Castle. It was a magical afternoon. The Lobby is like a rare musical box made of Mother of Pearl, gilded with gold leaf, opulent in all angle, what’s inside the box leaves you in awe…substance, style and the ultimate dinning experience.
Lili, a mysterious Chinese restaurant located in the rear of the hotel, deserves a standing ovation for its incredible restaurant design, refined interior inspired by Chinese and French opera, hand-crafted woodwork, luxurious table setting, not forgetting the famous sumptuous authentic Peking duck and Cantonese delicacies prepared by award-winning Hong Kong’s Chef Tang left me a good memory.
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Kit Lee was a guest of The Peninsula Paris.
* Travel companions – Reem, Emily, Laetitia and Kelly.
** Please note that the trip was taken place in March 2015.
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