Luxury brand Peninsula Hotels has purchased no less then 14 Rolls-Royce Phantom cars for use at its Hong Kong property. The new fleet is the largest ever single order of new Phantoms, and replaces the hotel's previous collection of Rolls-Royce Silver Spurs.
The Peninsula Hong Kong has a history dating back over 35 years of providing Rollers for its guests, with its first purchase of seven Silver Shadows being made in 1970. Much has changed since those days, not least the purchase of the Roll-Royce name by German manufacturer BMW - the Phantom is still assembled in the UK though, and in the case of the Peninsula fleet certain modifications have been made through the manufacturer's 'Bespoke' scheme. The boot has been enlarged to accommodate guests' luggage, and rear air-conditioning controls have been added for passenger use, as well as a cool box for chilled hand towels.
Entertainment is supplied through the two 12 inch screens and 15-speaker sound system, and the fleet has been finished in a colour described as "Peninsula Green".
The environmentally-conscious traveller might baulk at the near seven-litre engine which guzzles gas at a not-so-friendly average 18 mpg, although Rolls-Royce points out that technological advances means the fleet consumes significantly less fuel than the previous generation Silver Spur. The Phantom retails from around £250,000, putting conservative estimates on the hotel's outlay at over £3 million.
Guests should note that unless purchasing certain package deals, a roundtrip airport transfer in a Phantom will cost around 1,500 HKD (just under £100). Room rates at the Peninsula Hong Kong start from 3,200 HKD (£210) for a superior room.
In other news, Peninsula Hotels is set to open its eighth property in 2007 – the Peninsula Tokyo. Located in the business district of Yurakucho, opposite the Imperial Palace, the 314-room hotel will feature guest rooms starting from 51sqm, with views of the city or Imperial Palace gardens. The hotel is due to open its doors in September 2007.
For more information visit peninsula.com.
Report by Mark Caswell
