This London hotel provides guests with chauffeur-driven Rolls-Royces

It was 1970 when executives at The Peninsula Hong Kong were discussing buying a fleet of new cars for guest transfers. When the idea of those cars being Rolls-Royces came up, someone at the table suggested they might have been too expensive to consider.

Also present at that meeting was the then Chairman of The Peninsula parent company, The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, Limited. He was the industrialist, philanthropist, Hong Kong legend and member of the hotel group’s founding family, Baron Lawrence Kadoorie. It’s said he simply replied in a commanding manner: “Have you inquired?”

What followed was the placement of The Peninsula Hotels’ first order for seven Rolls-Royce Silver Shadows – at the time, the largest order Rolls-Royce had ever fulfilled. In subsequent years, the hotel group went on to break that record seven more times.

Across the group’s 12 hotels there are now more than 30 Rolls-Royces, with a couple more being recently added at the group’s stunning new London property.

All up, a fleet of 13 customised vehicles have swung into action at The Peninsula London for use by its guests – chauffeur-driven, of course.

Two new Phantom VIII Series II Extended Wheelbase Limousines now reside at The Peninsula London, with the British-made vehicles including numerous unique features, such as luggage compartments specially modified to fit up to four large suitcases and exterior paint in the signature Brewster Green, also known as “Peninsula Green”.

There’s also a 1935 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Sedanca De-Ville that was meticulously restored in a process that took seven years. Vintage it may be, but the vehicle has new power-assisted steering, an upgraded electrical system and alternator, twin batteries, increased fans for engine cooling and an electronic ignition. Other changes have been made to maximise passenger comfort, including the addition of air-conditioning, an entertainment system, and a cocktail cabinet.

Also in the London garage are four new hybrid Bentley Bentaygas which are the first luxury hybrid SUVs to join a Peninsula fleet. At the sportier end of things are three BMW i7 electric sedans, with long EV range.