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Amex Superb Motels + Resorts perks with the Amex Enterprise Platinum

Amex Superb Motels + Resorts perks and financial savings at The Peninsula Hong Kong

I took a latest journey across the globe that had me stopping in Hong Kong for a number of days. It is one in every of my favourite cities on the earth, thanks in no small half to what number of fabulous luxurious accommodations can be found there.

Among the many most storied of them is The Peninsula Hong Kong, which initially opened its doorways in 1928, turning into one of many world’s most well-known accommodations.

On my very first journey to Hong Kong, once I was simply 11 years previous, my mom took me to The Peninsula Hong Kong for its legendary afternoon tea, and I nonetheless bear in mind the lavish unfold of pastries, the classical reside music and the awe-inspiring foyer lounge.

Since then, I’ve had the prospect to remain on the resort a number of instances, however this may be the primary time I’ve booked it utilizing Amex Superb Motels + Resorts.

I fastidiously tracked the value-added perks I loved because of reserving via Superb Motels + Resorts. This is how they added up.

Room charge rebate: $320

On the time of my journey in March, the resort was providing 25% off charges for traditional rooms. As a substitute of paying $690 per evening for the standard deluxe room, my charge got here to simply $530 per evening. That meant a financial savings of $320 on a two-night keep.

A 2-category room improve: $460

After I checked into the resort, the agent who assisted me — and mainly acted as my private concierge all through my keep after that, arranging restaurant reservations on the resort and out within the metropolis, amongst different particulars — knowledgeable me that, because of my Superb Motels + Resorts reserving, I had acquired a two-category room improve to the grand deluxe king room class, which might have price $230 extra per evening (it was not accessible on the 25% low cost).

That meant I loved barely extra spacious lodging (about 20 sq. toes greater than an entry-level deluxe room), plus a better flooring location and higher metropolis views. In fact, the very best rooms on the resort have harbor views, however the panorama of Kowloon’s skyscrapers and hills via my home windows was nonetheless improbable.

The room itself was additionally fairly elegant, with a toned-down palette of cream, taupe, bronze and brown, a welcoming king-size mattress that regarded out towards the window and a big leisure system. Like different Peninsula properties, the Hong Kong outpost additionally featured Peninsula-branded in-house know-how, equivalent to tablets that management all of the room features.

I particularly beloved the basic (and palatial) white and inexperienced marble rest room with its huge soaking tub. It got here full with an in-wall TV, twin sinks — one at both aspect of the room — and custom-blended tub merchandise from native parfumier Angel Cheung.

Day by day breakfast for two: $260

Amex Superb Motels + Resorts bookings embody complimentary day by day breakfast for 2.

At The Peninsula Hong Kong, breakfast is served within the sunny Verandah restaurant (with spillover into the Swiss-themed Chesa restaurant that’s embellished like an Alpine chalet) and consists of an intensive buffet of Western, Japanese and Chinese language dishes, plus made-to-order omelets and all-you-can-drink espresso and tea alternatives.

The resort usually expenses $65 per individual, per day for breakfast, so my two morning visits with a pal equated to a whopping $260 in worth.

Dinner at Felix: $100

I may have used my $100 on-property expertise credit score on the resort’s varied eating places or spa. Ultimately, my devoted concierge was in a position to safe me a desk on the top-floor restaurant, Felix, with prime harbor views.

The menu options modern European delicacies with heavy Mediterranean influences. For my dinner, I attempted a wealthy however delicate starter of Japanese king crab with avocado puree and a fragile coriander tuile, adopted by hearty lamb from France’s Aveyron area with spring greens and herbaceous za’atar sauce as my entree. To conclude the meal, I ordered the signature deconstructed Hong Kong milk tea dessert, which was creamy and lightweight.

My invoice, which additionally included two glasses of wine, got here to round $230, however because of my Superb Motels + Resorts credit score, I saved $100.

My grand whole in financial savings: $1,140

All advised, I calculated my value-added advantages attributable to reserving via Amex Superb Motels + Resorts at $1,140. That comes with a number of caveats, although.

First, I most likely wouldn’t have paid the upcharge to the grand deluxe room, contemplating how excessive that may have been with my low cost. These rooms typically are simply $60 to $100 extra per evening than normal deluxe rooms, so the improve worth was inflated by the 25% low cost I used to be in a position to take pleasure in on my reserving. Nonetheless, that 25% was quite a lot of financial savings, and it was additionally accessible for a good portion of the 12 months.

Second, although I did save $100 on my dinner, the general invoice was nonetheless costly, at greater than $200 for a single individual, so this profit solely is useful should you’re splurging anyway.

Lastly, resort breakfast costs are usually comparatively excessive, and you’ll take pleasure in loads of nice Hong Kong breakfast spots for less expensive than $65 per individual. So, should you are likely to skip breakfast, which may not come in useful.

Nonetheless, for my wants, I felt like I obtained super worth from this single Superb Motels + Resorts reserving. I’ll attempt to do the identical on different stays all year long.

Different facilities at The Peninsula Hong Kong

My keep at The Peninsula Hong Kong this time was quick, however hopefully I am going to get again there once more quickly. I really like the resort and its many facilities, so right here are some things it’s best to attempt to expertise there should you get to remain.

The Peninsula Hong Kong’s tony afternoon tea remains to be the stuff of legend, going down in its ornately gilded foyer with reside music drifting down from the minstrel’s gallery, so remember to e book a desk and settle in for fairly the afternoon affair.

The resort’s many eating places are every price a go to. My favourite are Gaddi’s, which is within the former grand ballroom and has a Michelin star because of chef Anne-Sophie Nicolas’ meticulous French delicacies (be looking out for the well-known Christofle silver duck and lobster press); and Spring Moon, additionally with a Michelin star, for luxurious Cantonese banquets in an area that appears like an emperor’s summer season palace.

A dip within the resort’s sprawling indoor pool appears like swimming at Hearst Fort, because of the Greco-Roman theme and incomparable harbor views.

In the meantime, there’s additionally an intensive health heart with locker rooms that includes saunas, steam rooms and tub circuits.

The hushed spa gives remedies incorporating all-natural Irish Voya merchandise and Margy’s Monte Carlo skincare line.

In case your finances permits, there is no expertise like being chauffeured in one of many resort’s bespoke Rolls-Royce Phantoms — within the resort’s signature inexperienced shade, in fact — on personal drives via the town or to and from the airport (transfers price round $200 every means).

Though Superb Motels + Resorts bookings embody availability-based midday check-in and assured 4 p.m. late checkout, the purpose is just about moot at The Peninsula since Peninsula Motels provide a “Peninsula Time” profit the place you’ll be able to verify in as early as 6 a.m. and take a look at as late as 10 p.m., relying in your explicit journey plans.

Lastly, The Peninsula is famend for its service — simply image these white pillbox-hatted doormen — and my keep proved the rule. Not solely was I greeted by identify by virtually each employees individual I met, however all I needed to do was ask for assist with all the things from restaurant reservations to museum tickets to ideas for a reasonable foot therapeutic massage on close by Nathan Street. Briefly, I felt taken care of however not chaperoned, and it created a balanced and delightful sense of hospitality.

Backside line

The Peninsula Hong Kong remains to be one in every of my favourite accommodations on the earth, even in spite of everything these years, and my latest keep there was simply one other great reminiscence I am going to have of the property.