The Peninsula Beijing
The Peninsula Beijing has just come to the end of a four-year strategic refurbishment program. It is now unquestionably the premier hotel in Beijing for business and leisure travelers, as well as the venue of choice for important events and celebrations. Costing US$35 million, no area of the hotel has been left untouched in the renovation program, and in addition to a new look for the Peninsula Beijing's rooms, suites and existing public spaces, a wide range of new amenities and facilities have been added. The completion of the extensive renovations (which commenced in 2001) and repositioning under the Peninsula brand marks The Peninsula Beijing entering a new chapter. The hotel was open in 1989. The Peninsula Hotels has managed The Peninsula Palace Hotel since 1992, and with the completion of a joint venture restructuring and the US$35 million renovation, the hotel is once again in the spotlight in the capital with a strategic refurbishment program giving the hotel a totally new look, while a name change from The Palace Hotel to The Peninsula Beijing aligns it with sister Peninsula Hotels. The new guest rooms, suites and The Club lounge reflect a careful blend of innovation and luxury, while the banquet and meeting rooms have been enhanced in scope and design. The Peninsula Suite, the premier suite in Beijing, sets a new benchmark in the capital with an attractive blend of sophistication, technology, elegance and cultural resonance. The redesigned hotel forecourt is the gateway to a vibrant lobby and expanded Peninsula Arcade with over 50 luxury brand shops. The hotel now has two renowned restaurants: the award-winning JING which serves western cuisine with an Asian flair and Huang Ting, which reflects an interpretation of a noble courtyard house filled with Chinese antiques and offering exquisite Cantonese cuisine and Beijing specialities. Designed by Chhada, Siembieda & Associates of Hong Kong, the rooms and suites have been furnished with luxurious modern comforts and stylish décor for which Peninsula hotels are world famous. The renovation has continued The Peninsula's tradition of comfort interwoven with carefully chosen Chinese and Asian elements and influences combined with traditional Europe interiors and fixtures. Thus all newly designed guest rooms (31 sq m to 34 sq m, equivalent 334 sq f and 366 sq f) and suites (50 sq m to 100 sq m, equivalent 538 sq f and 1,076 sq f) feature hardwood floors with Chinese rugs, a 42 inch (106.68cm) plasma television, complimentary wired and wireless high speed Internet access, silent fax machines and The Peninsula's signature technology , a bedside electronic panel which centralizes all control functions in the room and an electronic display by the door showing outdoor temperature and humidity levels. In addition, 24-hour valet call service is also available. The Club Lounge has undergone refurbishment and expansion. The interior design adheres to the Peninsula traditions of comfort, and while the wood floor and the fabrics hint more at the Orient than previously, the same keynote of cozy and welcoming décor has been used. The total space of the lounge has doubled the size of the previous one, ensuring superb views running from the east to the west of the city. The rooms and suites on Club Floors have been completely redesigned and all the Club Floors are connected by a marble stone staircase, providing guests an additional commuting option besides elevator. The Club Lounge offers wireless connectivity throughout the lounge, a private business office with high speed wired Internet access, private check in and check out facilities and a 60-seat lounge serving breakfast, afternoon tea and cocktails exclusively for guests on the Club Floors. In conjunction with the renovation and name change, The Peninsula Beijing now enjoys better accessibility than ever. Already just a short walk away from the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square and the Wangfujing shopping district, the centrally located Peninsula Beijing is now connected directly to Beijing's major Second Ring Road, enabling guests to travel to all major districts of the city with ease.