The Latest from Peninsula Hotels

Clients heading to Bangkok and Tokyo this year who want to be ahead of the pack can check into a new spa and a new hotel, respectively. The Peninsula Bangkok has opened an expansive new spa, and this fall The Peninsula Tokyo will open.

 A spa treatment room at The Peninsula Bangkok

As part of its brandwide spa initiative, Peninsula Hotels recently opened The Peninsula Spa by ESPA at The Peninsula Bangkok. The spa measures 19,000 square feet and includes 14 treatment rooms, four couples' spa suites, a tea lounge and men's and women's relaxation rooms. It also has a salon, a three-tier outdoor swimming pool and a fitness center with sauna and steam rooms and hot and cold Jacuzzis.

Upon arrival, spa patrons are served indigenous herbal teas from the Royal Project, which was initiated by the king's mother, and have a thorough wellness consultation.

Peninsula has partnered with ESPA for the development of treatments and products designed for Peninsula guests. At the Peninsula Bangkok, choices include signature body treatments that fuse Thai, ayurvedic and European therapies. Thai, Balinese, Swedish and aromatherapy body massages also are available, as are a number of facials, and ESPA for Men, a menu of massages and facials.

Travelers also can book half-day and full-day packages. They can augment either choice by reserving one of the four private suites. These suites have private changing areas, steam showers, double baths and double treatment areas; the River Private Spa Suites also have views of the Chao PhrayaRiver.

Agent liaison at the new spa is Hathaichanok Komnuansin, spa reception manager. She can be reached at (66-2) 861-2888 or via e-mail at [email protected].

Meantime, September will bring the opening of The Peninsula Tokyo in a prime city location convenient for business travelers. The upscale hotel is opposite both the grounds of the ImperialPalace and HibiyaPark. Its location puts it within easy reach of the Marunouchi and Otemachi financial districts, the theater district and the noted Ginza shopping district. It's adjacent to Hibiya subway station, for convenient connections to Tokyo's subway and train networks.

The Peninsula Tokyo will open its doors this fall

Guests will have access to a Peninsula Spa by ESPA, as well as concierge service around the clock and multiple dining choices. The property will have a chapel, ballrooms, banquet space and multiple meeting rooms. The spa, measuring almost 9,700 square feet, will include eight treatment rooms, as well as a fitness center and a 66-foot swimming pool. The hotel will have 267 rooms and 47 suites. Each will have a self-contained dressing room, a marble bathroom with double vanity and separate bath and shower. Rooms will be fitted with plasma TVs, CD/DVD players, safes and private multi-function fax with printer.

Clients wanting to soak in views of the city may want to consider booking a deluxe corner room; rooms in this category provide 747 square feet, and views from both bedroom and bathroom.

At press time, a date had not been set for when reservations would begin to be accepted. Agent liaison at The Peninsula Tokyo is Shin Asai, director of marketing. He can be reached at (81-3) 6270-2600 or by e-mail at [email protected].