The Peninsula Hotels on Thursday launched “Peninsula Moments,” a multi-million-dollar global brand campaign, the new PenCities online travel journal and a HK$450 million (US$58 million) revitalization of its flagship hotel in Hong Kong, featuring advanced in-room technology.
Peninsula Moments
Conceived and developed in house, the global campaign uses photography, video and behind-the-scenes footage to showcase staff engagement and the cities in which Peninsula operates.
“As one of the world’s oldest hotel groups, Peninsula icons throughout our hotels showcase the brand’s heritage, personal service and continued commitment to inspire, surprise and delight, and these new images and videos capture this spirit perfectly,” said Peninsula Hotels Chief Operating Officer Peter Borer.
Peninsula Moments in print, online and tablet versions of top luxury, lifestyle, travel and business magazines worldwide will start running in September. The first in a series of 10 90-second films was unveiled Thursday on YouTube showcasing the flagship Peninsula Hong Kong. Subsequent films to be released from September through March 2013 will transport viewers to each of the nine cities where Peninsula has hotels.
To capture “Peninsula Moments,” Peninsula tapped Russel Wong, a Singapore-based photographer known for his celebrity portraits and his photography for major motion pictures such as “Underworld,” “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” “Hero” and “The House of Flying Daggers.”
“I wanted it to appear very narrative, almost like scenes from a movie,” said Wong. “I tried to inject a romantic notion into the overall campaign, and hopefully it’s all uniquely Peninsula.”
Complementing the still photography are the films produced by Ridley Scott Associates and directed by Jean-Claude Thibaut and Antony Crook, whose previous work has included videos for Louis Vuitton, Hermès and Boss. Each film evokes a sense of destination and luxury through scenery and music.
“My main objective was to amaze the audience with real stories and authentic moments to capture the overall magic of The Peninsula Hotels, fueled by the staff’s genuine desire to inspire, with their unique approach to their work giving an original view on each city,” Thibaut said.
Luxury lifestyle journal
Also debuting is an online insider travel and lifestyle guide, PenCities. Developed by LUXE City Guides, PenCities presents a selection of insider recommendations covering the latest openings, restaurants, galleries, bars, classic favorites, special events, seasonal celebrations and smart things to do in each of The Peninsula Hotels’ cities worldwide, plus emerging new luxury lifestyle and travel trends.
Peninsula Hong Kong renovation
Peninsula’s flagship hotel, The Peninsula Hong Kong, on Thursday unveiled the first phase of its room enhancement program.
“Today, we’re celebrating both the re-launch of an icon, as well as cementing this hotel’s place firmly in the future,” Borer said. “Innovation is part of The Peninsula’s DNA, and the guest-focused technology we are unveiling will elevate guest stays to a whole new echelon of experiential luxury.”
Conceived by the in-house design team of The Peninsula Hotels, assisted by Gettys interior design, the new rooms and suites feature a bespoke luxury aesthetic that references the glamour of private yachts, motorcars and jets. Custom-made Cassina and Poltrona Frau furnishings range from streamlined entertainment centers to the beige leather-finish and glossy patina of walnut writing desks and vanity tables with retractable illuminated mirrors.
Peninsula introduces its next generation of in-room enhancements, which include:
- Interactive digital touch-screen tablets pre-set in one of five languages: English, French, Traditional and Simplified Chinese and Japanese, allowing guests to personalize all room controls, signage and information to their preferred language
- Full control of all in-room functions via bedside and desk tablets and wall panels, enabling access to the guest compendium of in-room dining menus, hotel services, streaming television, Internet TV and radio, mood lighting, curtains, temperature and more
- Complimentary long-distance VOIP phone calls from guest rooms and from the hotel’s Rolls-Royce fleet
- Advanced audio-visual center in each guest room featuring a 46-inch (116-cm) flat-screen, Blu-ray LED television – with a 55-inch (139-cm) model in all suites, Internet TV, iPod/iPad docking station, memory-card reader and soundbar speaker system delivering surround-sound experience
- Wireless connection to personal electronic devices and to the all-in-one printer/photocopier/scanner/fax, enables the seamless functionality of a home office
- Signature marble bathrooms with LED touch-screen panels located on the wall and bath-side, enable viewing of terrestrial and Internet TV and radio and Spa button delivering a luxurious, integrated light and sound experience for indulgent relaxation