AUTOMOTIVE the Peninsula Hotels the 1934 Rolls-Royce Phantom II at the Peninsula Tokyo
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AUTOMOTIVE The Peninsula Hotels The 1934 Rolls-Royce Phantom II at The Peninsula Tokyo. A PASSION FOR AUTOMOTIVE EXCELLENCE A TRADITION OF STYLISH TRANSPORT Of all the time-honoured traditions even before setting foot on a embraced by The Peninsula Peninsula property, new arrivals can Hotels, perhaps the best known experience the luxury and attention is the company’s commitment to to detail that de nes The Peninsula glamourous transport. The hotel brand. Once they’ve settled group maintains a eet of exquisite in, guests can also rely on The custom vehicles for the convenience Peninsula eet to help them explore of its guests; these ensure that, their destination in high style. 2 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow fleet at The Peninsula Hong Kong in 1970s. ROLLSROYCE: THE PENINSULA’S LONGTIME PARTNER IN EXCELLENCE While The Peninsula Hotels’ eet agship Hong Kong hotel were includes dozens of distinctive discussing the purchase of a new automobiles – including deluxe- luxury eet. Upon being informed model cars from BMW and MINI that Rolls-Royce vehicles might – the most iconic of the company’s be prohibitively expensive, Lord vehicles are, unquestionably, Lawrence Kadoorie (former its collection of sumptuous, Chairman of The Hongkong and bespoke Rolls-Royce sedans, all Shanghai Hotels, Limited), allegedly nished in signature Peninsula posed a simple challenge: “Have Brewster Green. These cars are you enquired?” recognisable enough to have made an appearance in the famous What followed was the placement James Bond lm The Man with the of The Peninsula Hotels’ rst Golden Gun – in a scene where order for seven Rolls-Royce Silver Bond’s assistant operative, Mary Shadows (above) – at the time, the Goodnight, remarks, “Everyone largest order Rolls-Royce had ever knows all the green Rolls-Royces ful lled. In subsequent years, the belong to The Peninsula.” hotel group went on to break that record seven more times, most In fact, The Peninsula Hotels and recently with its 2006 order of 14 Rolls-Royce have maintained their extended-wheelbase sedans. At special partnership for nearly present, the company counts 30 50 years. It began, somewhat Rolls-Royce vehicles in its eet, legendarily, in 1970, when which are used by guests at its executives at The Peninsula’s properties around the globe. 3 THE BESPOKE EXPERIENCE Each Peninsula Rolls-Royce is built and customised according to a set of exacting speci cations. As well as incorporating trademark Rolls- Royce details – such as tumble- dyed leather upholstery, studio- grade Lexicon sound systems, and interior wood veneer sourced from individual trees (to ensure the consistency of colour and grain in each car), Peninsula vehicles include a host of special features. Among them: cool boxes for chilled hand towels and convenient armrest climate controls in the passenger compartment; modi ed lighting to provide ample illumination for passengers when entering and exiting; and larger luggage compartments, with specially requested counter-sunk screws and handmade protection covers to prevent damage to suitcases when loading. While the majority of the Rolls- Royce models in Peninsula’s eet are extended-wheelbase Phantoms and Silver Spurs, the hotel group has, in recent years, also commissioned the restoration and customisation of three dazzling 1934 Phantom II Sedanca De-Ville sedans. These classic automobiles, with their dramatic, swooping lines that recall a glittering bygone era, have been unobtrusively adapted to current standards of comfort – and are available by request for weddings and special events at The Peninsula Hotels in Hong Kong, Tokyo, and Paris. Customised according to a set of exacting speci cations 4 Working with The Hon. Sir working for Rolls-Royce Motor Michael Kadoorie, Chairman of Cars, Ltd – rst as an apprentice The Hongkong and Shanghai and eventually as General Manager Hotels, Limited, to develop the of the manufacturer’s London speci cations for The Peninsula’s operations. vehicles – and integral to “In my opinion, Rolls-Royce maintaining the partnership with produces the best limousines in Rolls-Royce – has been The the world,” Mr Oxley says. “The Peninsula Hotels’ Fleet Vehicle whole purpose of our limousine Manager Martin Oxley. Mr Oxley eet is to ensure when guests is uniquely quali ed for this role; arrive at their destination they are prior to joining The Peninsula calm, relaxed and ready to enjoy Hotels in 1995, he spent 22 years all that The Peninsula has to offer.” MINI Cooper S Clubmans in front of The Peninsula Beverly Hills. A di erent, more immersive perspective 5 The Peninsula Bangkok’s specially designed tuk tuk. AUTHENTIC, DESTINATION- SPECIFIC OPTIONS Recently, The Peninsula Hotels has Similarly, The Peninsula Bangkok begun diversifying its eet, to offer provides guest transport and tours more destination-speci c, regionally in a specially designed tuk tuk (top) – authentic modes of transport. These a motorised three-wheel passenger new additions allow hotel guests to rickshaw that is one of the city’s experience the sights and sounds of most common modes of transport. their host cities from a different, more immersive perspective than they Other Peninsula properties have would from a luxury automobile. augmented their transport options with vehicles that showcase a Some of these new transport options particular aspect, or unique avour, re ect long-time local traditions. For of their destination city. Guests example, The Peninsula Manila now staying at The Peninsula Chicago, offers sightseeing and market tours for instance, can arrange rides in a in a bespoke and hand-built replica vintage 1946 Packard Clipper – the of the rst 1955 Sarao Jeepney – a car of choice for the rich and famous vehicle that has been popular in the during the city’s post-World War II Philippines since World War II (when heyday. The Peninsula Paris has locals began personalising American injected a Parisian touch to its eet military Jeeps that were left behind). with an authentic 1957 Citroën 2CV. Transport options showcase their destination city 6 AN ESSENTIAL PROMISE Varied though they may be, what unites all the automotive transport offerings at The Peninsula Hotels is their commitment to providing a superlative travel experience. The Peninsula guests can rest assured, whether they travel in a tuk tuk or a premier luxury sedan, that they will arrive at their destination safely, comfortably, and stylishly. Jeepney of The Peninsula Manila. A superlative travel experience 7.