A peek inside London's first billion-pound hotel

Ever wondered what it would be like to stay in a billion-pound hotel? Despite the welcoming message on the website, inviting those to ‘experience the world’ from the hotel’s perspective, it is unlikely many will ever see that chance.

Near Hyde Park corner in London in the UK, The Peninsula London opened its doors on September 12, 2023. It had been three decades in the making and they weren’t going to get the big moment wrong.

Image: peninsula.com

Feng Shui master Lui Chun travelled from Hong Kong to London for the occasion, and he would have a huge part to play. Chun is a seventh-generation feng shui master whose family has been guiding those who need mentoring on the flow of energy for about 900 years.

Image: peninsula.com

He guided the owner on how the energy flowed in the 8-story hotel and advised on the best date for the opening. He went a lot further, marking the exact time the first room key needed to be given to a guest and telling the manager what to wear, in order to bring the best luck and fortune.

Image: peninsula.com

It was never meant for the normal folk: rooms at The Peninsula have a starting rate of £1,300. Suites start at £2,800 and the Peninsula Suite itself still has an ‘on-request’ price-tag!

Image: peninsula.com

Cristina Balekjian, director of hospitality analytics, UK, at CoStar Group, said: "This is unprecedented. Ten years ago hotels in this category were achieving £500, now it is £1,000. But operators are very optimistic about the luxury sector."

Image: peninsula.com

The hotel is part of the Peninsula Hotels but is the first of this group (and in the UK) to surpass a billion dollars in cost. What makes this hotel so special - and so incredibly expensive? We take a look inside the 5-star, jaw-dropping London Peninsula Hotel.

Image: peninsula.com

First, you have to arrive and ensure you are taken around in style. One of the high-performance cars available for guests is a 1935 Rolls-Royce Phantom Sedanca de Ville, which underwent an eight-year restoration (including the addition of a champagne fridge, of course). Cleaning and polishing the car after each outing takes a week.

As would be expected, the rooms are kitted out to the max, too. As well as swooping views of the London skyline, they boast some good tech, including LED wall panels, iPads, and even PenChat, a 24-hour concierge service. Some rooms even have nail dryers for emergency manicure repairs.

Image: peninsula.com

But it isn’t just the rooms - the dining and experiences are also out-of-this-world. In Canton Blue within the hotel, they have an authentic tea ceremony. Sound like a casual experience? It isn’t - some of the teas are so exquisite that a licensed master can only perform these rituals.

Image: peninsula.com

Ever thought about spending thousands of pounds on c1gars? Well, you can at The Peninsula in an exclusive rooftop room. Choose your s m 0 k e and store your favourites in a climate-controlled locker in the ‘c i g a r vault’. 

Image: peninsula.com

The whole hotel has a theme of transport running through it - old classic cars, racing and the unmissable Concorde. That’s right, the fine dining restaurant has a 48-foot Concorde passenger jet suspended from the ceiling.

Image: peninsula.com

Even the chairs in the bar are made from recycled Rolls Royce leather. Then you have further little details to make sure the theme is drilled in - even calling waiter service using the lever at your table that was once a gear stick.

Image: peninsula.com

If that’s not enough, you can be whisked through the hotel floors in the wicker hot air balloon elevator. No detail has been forgotten and no expense has been spared. The lifestyles of the rich and luxurious keep getting, well, even richer and even more luxurious. 

Image: peninsula.com

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