One of the nicest things I've found so far is afternoon tea at The Peninsula Hotel.First, there's the venue itself, which dates from Hong Kong's colonial days. The hotel opened in 1928, which makes it positively ancient compared to most other buildings in the city. And since the hotel was originally built to cater to wealthy and famous clients, it's opulent and elegant as well. You can rent one of its Rolls-Royce Phantoms by the hour; you can also rent a helicopter that lands on the rooftop. Like the doorman in this photo, most of the staff wear colonial-era uniforms and are all faultlessly courteous.
You can order a set tea menu, or a la carte. How about a jumbo hot dog? It's listed right there, beside the finger sandwiches. I'm sure it's very nice, but it was the last thing I had in mind to have with my tea.
Such a pretty table! (sorry the photo is a bit blurry):
As you nibble your way through the stack of delicious goodies, a live mini-orchestra serenades you from the balcony above. Not with classical music -- they were playing arrangements of songs like the Bee Gees' "How Deep Is Your Love" and a medley from "The Phantom of the Opera." That was definitely unexpected, but in a good way.
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