Hong Kong Peninsula Hotel

founded by members of the rich Kadoorie family of Hong Kong, who are descended from Baghdad, Iraqi Mizrahi Jews. The Peninsula was intended to be "the best hotel east of Suez" when it was completed.

The Peninsula hosted Sunday concerts, nightly meals on the terrace, and twice-weekly dinners in the Rose Room after the hotel's 11 December 1928 grand opening. Every night there were dinner dances, and there were also frequent afternoon tea dances. The Peninsula soon developed into a well-liked gathering spot for the entire neighborhood. It also developed into a location to see celebrities. The Hollywood stars of the 1930s classic Modern Times, Charlie Chaplin and Paulette Goddard, were among the hotel's visitors.

At the Japanese HQ on the third floor of The Peninsula, British colonial authorities under the command of the Governor of Hong Kong, Sir Mark Aitchison Young, personally surrendered on December 25, 1941, marking the end of the Battle of Hong Kong.

A 30-story tower with a similar architectural design as the current structure was added to the hotel in 1994. A helipad is located on top of the brand-new Peninsula Tower. It is used to take dignitaries to the seven-minute flight away Hong Kong International Airport.