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Plans to build a new luxury hotel
Plans to build the hotel were first disclosed at a meeting of the Hong Kong Hotel Co. Ltd in 1921. Five years later China found itself torned by a civil war though and a strike causes a delay in building the hotel.
(copyright of photo is expired by Hong Kong law) -
British troops are first Peninsula guests
The British 2nd Battalion Coldstream Guards and a battalion of the Devonshire Reigment are the first guests of the Peninsula. They form part of a Shanghai Defence Force that is to protect Hong Kong from the civil war in China. -
Peninsula opens its doors
In a time when a sea voyage from London to Hong Kong took five weeks, the Grand dame (as what soon would become the nickname), opens its doors. -
Air travel becomes available
The Peninsula finds itself in the middle of a logistic hub: cruiseships can dock almost in front of the hotel, a trainstation in front of the hotel offers access by rail. And air links open with the UK and the US. -
Japanese occupy Peninsula
World War II: Japanese troops cross the Hong Kong border on December 8th and by Christmas Day the troops occupy the whole colony and the Peninsula becomes their headquarters. Over the next few years the hotel will go by the name: Toa Hotel, which means East Asia Hotel. -
Peninsula hosts 2.000 homeless
The Hong Kong government is in charge of the hotel and decides to use it to accommodate over 2000 civillians who have lost their homes during the World War II bombings. A year later the hotel is returned to its owner; the Hong Kong & Shanghai Hotels Ltd. -
Gaddi's restaurant is opened
Up to today the French Haute Cuisine gets raving reviews on websites such as Tripadvisor.com. The restaurant is named after hotel manager from back then: Leo Gaddi. -
Renovations
In the sixties the hotel under went some changes: a modern air-conditioning system replaced the ceiling fans and the original fountain outside (which dated from 1927) was replaced by the square made of Italian granite. The grand dame was fully booked week after week.
Photo by courtesy of Peninsula Hotel: early bedroom scene. -
Bombs in front of hotel
Due to the cultural revolution in mainland China, riots threatened Hong Kong. In the summer of '67 it had to close its doors several times and three times bombs were found in front of the hotel. -
First Rolls Royce fleet is purchased
The largest single order ever is placed with Rolls Royce, by the Peninsula hotel. It buys eight Brewster-Green Rolls Royce Silver Shadows to transport its guests.
Photo by courtesy of Peninsula Hotel. -
Kowloon Railway station is dismantled
The road tunnel between Hong Kong and Kowloon is completed. Hotel guests no longer hear the noises from the train station, which was originally in front of the hotel.
Photo copyright has expired. -
New tower added
On top of the original building a new tower is build to be abe to expand. The new tower houses the famous bar "The Felix" and also contains a helipad on top of the building. -
"The Dark Knight" at the Pen
Parts of the Hollywood production "The Dark Knight" are filmed at the helipad of the Peninsula Hotel. -
80 year anniversary
The anniversary is celebrated by presenting a cheque to three local operating charities. Throughout 2008 the hotel organized various fundraisers for the event.
