April 3rd, 2012
A beautifully decorated lounge, within the equally luxurious and elegant The Peninsula Hong Kong hotel, Salon de Ning is a unique venue that evokes an intriguing and luxurious atmosphere of sophisticated pleasure. Superbly crafted and exquisitely detailed, the “salon” successfully combines luxury with an enticing sense of aesthetic originality.
The concept for the Salon de Ning lounge at The Peninsula Hong Kong is a creative construct that draws inspiration from the glamorous lifestyle of a fictional Shanghai socialite from the 1930’s- “Madame Ning”. The lounge space is decorated in the Art Deco style- featuring a fusion of “East meets West” – and designed to represent the interior of a luxurious private Shanghai residence of the period. The Salon de Ning concept was first introduced at The Peninsula New York in 2008, and was followed by further lounges in The Peninsula Hong Kong (also 2008), and The Peninsula Shanghai (2009) and most recently, at The Peninsula Manila (2011).
Salon de Ning occupies a space of intimate proportions on the lower level of the hotel arcade- directly accessible by steps down from Salisbury Road. The warm and welcoming interior features a main lounge and bar area, with a series of four private “themed” rooms around the perimeter. With the entire lounge area – including the private rooms- seating only 50 guests, the lounge exudes the esoteric qualities of a luxurious private club. A resident band – “Soulmates”- plays nightly from the stage in the lounge, and are complimented by a DJ on Friday nights. Salon de Ning serves a menu of sumptuous drinks including cocktails and the signature Salon de Ning Rose Champagne– an exclusive label created by Deutz of France for The Peninsula. A venue of intrigue and surprises, Salon de Ning offers a glamorous alternative to the typical hotel bar and lobby lounge, making for a truly memorable evening of sophisticated libations and musical entertainment.
The imposing entrance doorway of Salon de Ning – the lacquered timber door, brass handles and granite archway are based on the traditional stone gatehouses of Shanghai
The design theme of Salon de Ning captures the essential elements in the lifestyle of the fictional Madame Ning- a wealthy socialite living in 1930’s Shanghai, and travelling to the world’s glamorous destinations. The decor of the lounge and themed rooms are snapshots of her life- an eclectic collection of travel mementos, object d’art, and the personal effects typical of a sophisticated socialite of the period. The design was the creation of Hong Kong designer Henry Leung, who has worked internationally with The Peninsula Hotels on a number of Chinese heritage projects.
Each of the themed rooms is entered through an enormous picture frame, evoking the feeling of stepping through into the actual setting of Madame Ning’s life. Themed rooms can be booked as private rooms,and each room can hold between 6 to 12 guests. Within the furnishings of each themed room is a concealed mini-bar, disguised as a piece of furniture, and allowing guests to serve their own drinks if preferred.
Further embracing the glamour of the period, the elegant staff uniforms were specially created for Salon de Ning by award-winning Hong Kong designer Ranee Kok. The style combines a mix of Oriental cutting with western details- attractive fitted purple jackets with Mandarin collars, and black bell-bottom trousers. Details include glittering handbags and sequinned round-toed flats.
The Main Lounge- with the musician’s stage to the left and two of the themed rooms in the background
The musician’s stage of the Main Lounge- overhead illuminated chandelier panels patterned from coloured crystal beads depict portraits of Madame Ning
The “L’Afrique Room”- the mounted lion’s head guards the entrance to the African themed room, overhead is the billowing silk of a Saharan tent. One corner of the room features a Moroccan style alcove with U-shaped lounge seating.
The “Bailar Room”- entered through the antique styled gold-leaf picture frame- evokes the atmosphere of the pre-function area of a glamorous ballroom. Ball gowns and shoes, and Madame’s dance trophies are on display.
The “Ski Room”- reminisces the cozy style of the classic Swiss timber ski chalet- with the rustic charm of the solid timber beams, and the “fireplace” suggesting warmth and coziness.
The “Bourdoir Room”- the intimate dressing room of Madame Ning- with her hat collection displayed in hat boxes mounted into the ceiling, and the collection of antique dresses and jewellery on display.
The padded leather bar adjacent to the Main Lounge
The drinks menu at Salon de Ning is highlighted by an extensive assemblage of “themed” cocktail selections, including – “Ning’s Cocktails”; “Martini Cocktails”; “Champagne Cocktails”; and “Multisensory Cocktails”. In addition non-alcoholic cocktails created from fresh juices and fruits are available. Champagnes are an important part of the drinking pleasures of a “salon” – the exclusive Salon de Ning Rose Champagne is the featured champagne of the bar. Drinks are served in elegant glassware and specially designed coasters are made from pink and purple lace embroidery.
A small selection of light savoury snacks are available- “Ning’s Bites”– including – Crispy Cantonese spring rolls with shrimp, bamboo shoots & vegetables; Artisanal cheese plate; and Mini-Burgers on English Muffin with caramelised onion.
Signature cocktail- the “Ning Sling”- Absolut Mandarin, lychee liqueur, orange juice, passionfruit puree, garnished with mint leaves and a lychee
From the Multisensory Cocktails- “Mint Explosion”- Gin, honey, fresh lime juice, fresh cucumber, “Get 27 Caviar”– shaken with a carbonate shaker to create a fizzy consistency. The mint caviar brings freshness and taste sensation to the palate
“Hong Kong Dragon”- Absolut Citron, Gin, fresh orange juice, fresh lemon juice, gomme syrup- from the “Ning’s Cocktail” selections
Salon de Ning- signature lounge at The Peninsula Hong Kong
Address: Lower Level Peninsula Arcade, SalisburyRoad, Tsimshatsui, Kowloon. Hong Kong
MTR: TST station Exit E- 3 minutes walk, or East TST station- Exit L3
Reservations: +852. 23153355
Website: www.peninsula.com/Hong_Kong and www.salondening.com/
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/ThePeninsulaHongKong
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday 6:00 pm ~ 2:00 am Sunday- closed
Ning’s Hour: 6:00 pm ~ 9:00 pm Second drink complimentary
Entertainment:
Live Band
Monday to Thursday 9:00 pm ~ 11:45 pm
Friday & Saturday 10:00 pm ~ 1:45 am
DJ
Fridays 10:00 pm ~ 2:00 am
Dress Code: Smart Casual
