To celebrate The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels’ 150th anniversary, the Peninsula Beijing is undergoing a $123 million transformation. Set for completion in February 2017, all guestrooms and public spaces have been redesigned, offering a combination of ancient and contemporary Chinese artistry.
Designed by Henry Leung of CAP Atelier, the hotel will feature materials reminiscent of the ancient palaces and structures of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. White marble, bronze, onyx (jade) and rosewood decorate the property along with an Imperial pattern, the hexagon. The 160,000 hexagonal motifs are a strong recurring theme throughout and are inspired by the pattern of tortoise shells, representing longevity.
Going from 525 rooms to 230, the hotel has expanded accommodations to now offer some of the largest in the city. Guests will be escorted directly to their rooms for check-in via an iPad, bypassing the traditional front desk model. Each of the 17 Beijing Suites boast their own screening rooms while the property’s top floor houses the Duplex suites featuring floor-to-ceiling windows. The crème de la crème, however, is the new Peninsula Suite, a 7,104-square-foot palatial space. The residence will include a private gym, guest bedroom, antiques and artwork, private elevator, living room, a dining room for up to 18, study and a separate kitchen.
Along with a greenhouse on site, all of the hotel’s four restaurants will only serve products that have come from 22 vetted, US- and Chinese government-certified artisanal farms and partner suppliers. All ingredients will be traceable, sustainable and predominantly certified organic.
Rooms will be available for booking in September.