The Making of The Peninsula London by Assouline

19/06/2024
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The Making of The Peninsula London by Assouline
A Celebration of Artisanal Luxury and Impeccable Service

 

A beautiful new coffee-table book by luxury publishers Assouline, delves into the history, style, and impeccable service of The Peninsula London, the city's most luxurious newly-built hotel. Following a stay of a Peninsula London guest, the book features captivating details, original photography by Oliver Pilcher, and insightful interviews with prominent figures, including the company’s Chairman, The Hon. Sir Michael Kadoorie, architect and designer of interiors Peter Marino, and wardrobe designer Jenny Packham, with text by Catherine Shaw. Readers will also discover original illustrations by Lydia Bourhill and Caroline Tomlinson throughout the book, and an eloquent, bespoke poem written by Poet Laureate Simon Armitage.


Combining heritage and innovation, The Peninsula London represents a landmark achievement as London’s first hotel development to exceed £1 billion in cost, opening its doors in September 2023. This monumental project culminated from a thirty-five-year quest by one of the world's most prestigious hospitality brands, The Peninsula Hotels, owned by The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels Ltd., the oldest continuously operating hotel group since its founding in 1866 in Hong Kong.

The book immerses readers in the ultimate guest experience at The Peninsula London. From arriving into the courtyard in an iconic Brewster green Rolls Royce, greeted warmly by Peninsula Pages, to marvelling at the perfect view of Wellington Arch while enjoying an Afternoon Tea, and exploring the heart of London, every detail is captivating. As night falls, the guest floats up in a hot air balloon lift to Brooklands by Claude Bosi refined atmosphere, exquisite cuisine, and bespoke cocktails, ending the night with a front seat to the vistas over the glittering Capital. The next day is filled with indulgence: a morning swim in the subterranean pool, a ride through Hyde Park on a bespoke Peninsula bicycle, and back at the hotel stopping by the luxury retail arcade for something new to wear to dinner at Canton Blue. The story culminates under the marble lobby's chandeliers and live jazz saxophones, capturing The Peninsula London's essence with dynamic photography.

“London is one of the world’s greatest cities, and The Peninsula London is at the very heart of it,” says Clement Kwok, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels.

The Peninsula London offers a lively perspective on the city’s hotel scene, blending Eastern and Western influences. Signature features of the brand’s twelfth outpost includes a fleet of 13 signature Brewster green vehicles (highlighted by a 1935 Rolls Royce Phantom II Sedanca de Ville), a grand Lobby serving afternoon tea, cutting-edge technology with integrated in-room tablets, valet boxes in every room, and 2 majestic stone lions guarding each entrance.

Readers of the book will embark on a tour of Brooklands by Claude Bosi, the rooftop terrace, bar, and restaurant adorned with a Concorde-inspired ceiling artwork offering and breathtaking views from the London Eye to The Shard. The hotel also offers London's largest suite, spanning 470 square meters, as well as a humidor that holds up to two thousand cigars curated by Manu Harit, a speakeasy and dining venue Canton Blue inspired by the historic Keying Junk trade ship, a grand pillarless ballroom, Jenny Packham-designed uniforms, bespoke works by Royal Drawing School artists, hand-painted de Gournay murals, and a retail arcade featuring boutiques like Asprey and Mouawad.

This exquisite book offers a glimpse into the luxurious world of The Peninsula London, highlighting its seamless blend of tradition and modernity.

Text by Catherine Shaw
12 x 9.2 in - 30.6 x 23.4 cm | 204 pages | 200 illustrations | silk hardcover
ISBN: 9781649802446 | $120 – €120 – £100
PUBLISHED JUNE 2024