construction on in 1925 that would lay the foundation for a sturdy luxury hotel empire that has endured for close to 100 years .
The Peninsula Hong Kong , colloquially known as “ the Pen ,” officially opened in 1928 and operated without interruption until 1941 when the Japanese entered Hong Kong and occupied it until 1945 . Even a war couldn ’ t put a stop to it .
Stretching back and up through today , Peninsula Hotels has been owned and operated by The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels , Limited ( HSH ), which is 72 % controlled by the Kadoorie family and its current-day paterfamilias , the 81-yearold non-executive chairman , Sir Michael Kadoorie .
The Kadoorie lineage is the thread that ties the Peninsula brand from its inception to its present day , with 11 hotels currently operating and another , The Peninsula London , opening in September .
If the Kadoorie name is the string that ties it all together , it ’ s Peter Borer , chief operating officer of The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels , Limited , that has helped it not bunch up into a knot . Borer has been with HSH for more than four decades , the last 20 years as COO , helping run a company and delivering a sybaritic experience known the world over . It ’ s that kind of longevity and continuity that has allowed Peninsula to stay atop the luxury game .
A Grand Premier Park Room at The Peninsula London , set to open on September 12 in Belgravia .
HIGHLY DISTINGUISHED Borer , quite literally , was destined to be a hotelier . He was born in a hotel in Switzerland , where his family was in the business .
A Peninsula stalwart , he understands his place within the company and its storied history as it comes set to open its 12th hotel . He refers deferentially to Sir Michael Kadoorie , calling him " the biggest differentiator ” the company has . “ His commitment to this company , to all his employees , his courage to invest in projects
A guestroom bathroom at The Peninsula London .
like The Peninsula London — it is our greatest distinction ,” Borer said .
The 190-room Peninsula London is a project worth the wait . As Borer told it , they had been looking for a suitable location in the city for 30 years . “ We are very picky ,” he said .
It ’ s a pervasive sentiment at HSH — one that starts at the top . “ We are very particular and demanding about our requirements for a Peninsula hotel ,” said Clement Kwok , managing director and CEO of The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels , Limited . “ An immense amount of effort and time goes into finding the perfect property .”
54 hotelsmag . com September 2023