Forbes Travel Guide unveiled its annual Star Rating list recently, announced The Peninsula Beijing as a new Forbes Travel Guide Five- Star Hotel.
The Forbes Travel Guide created the Five-Star system in 1958 when it was Mobil Travel Guide and it is the only independent, global rating system for luxury hotels, restaurants and spas. Its incognito inspectors make evaluations on up to 900 objective standards. With decades of experience spanning 52 countries, it is the global authority on luxury stays.
For The Peninsula Beijing, the Five-Star distinction comes as a dazzling reward for the incredible commitment of the team during the lavish refit undertaken by the hotel. “On behalf of The Peninsula Beijing management team and staff members, I am proud to be honoured with the Forbes Five-Star rating,” says General Manager of The Peninsula Beijing, Mr Vincent Pimont. “This coveted title recognises the hard work of everyone following our landmark renovation, and the team’s dedication to consistently deliver unparalleled services for our guests.”
Opened in 1989, The Peninsula Beijing has stood witness to nearly three decades of rapid change in the city. Following a glamorous transformation that was completed in mid-2017, the hotel has also embraced change. The restyled hotel combines timeless Chinese artistry and craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology and superlative service. It celebrates the luxury of space with 230 all-suite rooms. There are three beautifully styled restaurants at The Peninsula Beijing – all-day dining restaurant The Lobby, Cantonese restaurant Huang Ting and Jing restaurant celebrating contemporary French dishes. Among its many achievements since opening, The Peninsula Arcade was the first luxury shopping arcade in China when it opened in 1990 and now has 36 eminent luxury brands including the flagship China stores of Chanel and Hermes and concept store of Louis Vuitton.
By reducing the hotel’s 525 guest rooms to create 230 stunning new suites, The Peninsula Beijing offers some of the most expansive accommodation in the capital, with suites starting at a spacious 60 sq m. Each offers a residential ambience enhanced by a separate bedroom, living room, marble bathroom, and dressing area. Highlights include an oversized bathroom, a walk-in dressing room complete with illuminated makeup mirror, nail dryer and a valet box which can be used for laundry, deliveries and room service for extra privacy. The suites are the most personalised in the world – in-room tablets control all room functions, room-service menus and insider guides to the city; furthermore, they can be pre-set in one of 11 languages.
Not one to rest on its laurels, the hotel aims to consistently exceed expectations. Now guests can enjoy a seamless, mobile check-in and check-out service and flexible, 24-hour check-in and check-out times to suit the guest’s own travel schedule. There’s no longer a club lounge at The Peninsula Beijing since every guest of the hotel is a VIP. For those who are curious about key aspects of local culture, lifestyle, cuisine, arts and history, The Peninsula Beijing’s curated Peninsula Academy programme has been created to give guests an insider’s introduction to Beijing through individualised classes, tours and activities. Travel through the narrow hutong lanes of Beijing in a rickshaw to try your hand at traditional crafts and calligraphy. Alternatively, take a breath-taking helicopter tour of the Great Wall, or practice the ancient martial art of Kung Fu with a master trainer. If it’s art that moves you, the hotel maintains a rotating collection of over 800 original Chinese artworks in every medium. A unique Artist in Residence programme places an emerging artist at the hotel to live, work and share their art with guests. Bespoke Keys to the City experiences can be arranged for out-of-hours tours of the top art galleries and museums in the capital. Transfer and move around in ultimate comfort and style with the hotel’s luxury fleet of vehicles – which counts two Rolls-Royce Phantom Extended Wheelbases amongst its collection – all finished in a livery of Peninsula Brewster Green. And whenever you pass through the regal Chinese archway to arrive at the hotel, be assured that iconic Peninsula Pages will be there to greet you every time.