On 11th December 1928, a legend of Asian hospitality was born � The Peninsula Hong Kong opened its doors for the first time, and has been welcoming guests and patrons from all over the world ever since.

In 2008, the hotel celebrates its 80th anniversary. And while the actual anniversary falls on 11th December 2008, a year of celebrations has been launched from 1st January.

Activities and events will not only commemorate the history of the hotel and the role she has played in that of Hong Kong through the years, but will also recall the city�s fast-disappearing history and heritage, and look to the community with a charity focus.

An exciting selection of new dining and accommodation packages will be on offer, including the return of traditional afternoon tea dances on the first Sunday of each month from March to December, a new Culinary Journey dining odyssey around the hotel and an evening Champagne harbour cruise aboard one of the Star Ferries, the �Shining Star�.

Gaddi�s, Hong Kong�s foremost French restaurant will be celebrating its 55th anniversary in 2008 as well, so it�s a double celebration!

A CHARITY FOCUS With so much to celebrate, The Peninsula is also committed to giving back to the community and to Hong Kong, the city with which it has enjoyed an 80 -year love affair. Through large-scale fund raising efforts, partnering with like-minded companies and organisations and by way of staff member volunteerism, we intend to make a strong positive impact on those in need.

The three beneficiaries are all based in Hong Kong, and provide direct community services. They are Make-A-Wish, which grants the wishes of children with life-threatening illnesses; Mary Rose School, which provides schooling for children with mental disabilities and St. James� Settlement Funeral Navigation Service, which assists the elderly with funeral preparation such as photography and logistics, legal advice, a helpline and more.

IN THE BEGINNING Every great lady has a history, and The Peninsula is no exception. Hers is a remarkable story of vision and evolution. The architects who in the early 1920s drew up plans for �the finest hotel east of Suez� did so at the behest of men whose foresight and confidence in Hong Kong set them on what was considered an audacious path. But from the moment The Peninsula opened on 11th December 1928, it was evident that the seeds of progress sown by the directors of The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, Limited had indeed found fertile ground. Almost immediately, The Peninsula transformed Kowloon from a sleepy backwater to the focal point of a vibrant social life.

As luxury ocean liners began to steam into Victoria Harbour, she welcomed the rich and the famous, the titled and the tycoons, with an embrace of unsurpassed luxury and warmth. Hong Kong and The Peninsula became synonymous. Over the years, The Peninsula has been witness to and participant in the history of Hong Kong, celebrating its dramatic progress, weathering the turbulence of war and military occupation and meeting the challenges posed by the changing needs of the international traveller. She has endured � and beautifully so � in a city which possesses precious few remnants of a rich and colourful past. Through her �wonderfully pukka� Lobby have strolled myriad stars of stage and screen, renowned authors, musicians and political figures. Hong Kong dubbed her �The Pen�; she is referred to thus around the world.

THE PENINSULA�S ARCHIVE GALLERY A fascinating collection of photos, artifacts and mementos depicting The Peninsula�s history is on display on the first floor of the hotel outside The Bar from 4th January 2008. We look forward to having you celebrate the 80th anniversary with us!

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Incorporated in 1866 and listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, Limited is a holding company whose subsidiaries are engaged in the ownership and management of prestigious hotels, and commercial and residential properties in key destinations in Asia and the USA. The hotel portfolio of the Group, The Peninsula Hotels, comprises The Peninsula Hong Kong, The Peninsula New York, The Peninsula Chicago, The Peninsula Beverly Hills, The Peninsula Tokyo, The Peninsula Bangkok, The Peninsula Beijing, The Peninsula Manila, The Peninsula Shanghai (opening 2009), and Quail Lodge Resort and Golf Club in Carmel, California. The property portfolio of the Group includes The Repulse Bay complex, The Peak Tower and The Peak Tramways, St. John's Building and The Landmark in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

For further information, please contact: Ms Stella Suen Director of Public Relations The Peninsula Hong Kong Salisbury Road, Tsimshatsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong Telephone : (852) 2315 3010 Fax : (852) 2722 4170, 2315 3124 E-mail : stellasuen@peninsula.com Website : www.peninsula.com Digital Photo Library : www.leonardo.com/peninsula