which promo would most appeal at Peninsula Hong Kong?
May 1, 2018, 9:21 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Asheville, NC
Programs: Virtuoso, FSPP, STARS, MO FAN Club, PEN Club, Bellini Club, Dorchester Diamond Club, Travel Leaders
Posts: 1,854
which promo would most appeal at Peninsula Hong Kong?
The Peninsula Hong Kong has reached out to me with the following question: were the hotel to to introduce an added value Winter or Summer promotion, which would most appeal:
*airport transfer
*dinner
*afternoon tea
*any other suggestion
Please reply with what would win your business and why!
*airport transfer
*dinner
*afternoon tea
*any other suggestion
Please reply with what would win your business and why!
May 1, 2018, 9:45 pm
#2
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: BKK
Posts: 6,741
Round trip airport transfers, or a full dinner at l’Oiseau Blanc would be a significant enticement.
Otherwise they could offer a combination of one way airport transfer + afternoon tea (or some other F&B inclusion like a set lunch).
The best I can think of would be Pen Club upgrade confirmed at time of booking + round trip or one way airport transfers.
Basically, for a promotion to have any effect on my choice of a Paris hotel, it has to add huge value. e.g. third or fourth night free, confirmed upgrade, or an amenity worth hundreds of Euros. Smaller value add such as a prix-fixe meal or afternoon tea is something I appreciate, but in the context of what an hotel stay in Paris costs, will not likely sway my business away from my preferred hotel to try another.
Better yet, Peninsula could allow guests to pick one or two amenities from a list of options: spa treatment(s), bottle of wine, meal, upgrade, airport transfer(s). That’s clearly the best way to do it, and in fact what Peninsula often does do. Everyone values things differently, so giving a list of choices maximizes the efficacy of the promotion.
Otherwise they could offer a combination of one way airport transfer + afternoon tea (or some other F&B inclusion like a set lunch).
The best I can think of would be Pen Club upgrade confirmed at time of booking + round trip or one way airport transfers.
Basically, for a promotion to have any effect on my choice of a Paris hotel, it has to add huge value. e.g. third or fourth night free, confirmed upgrade, or an amenity worth hundreds of Euros. Smaller value add such as a prix-fixe meal or afternoon tea is something I appreciate, but in the context of what an hotel stay in Paris costs, will not likely sway my business away from my preferred hotel to try another.
Better yet, Peninsula could allow guests to pick one or two amenities from a list of options: spa treatment(s), bottle of wine, meal, upgrade, airport transfer(s). That’s clearly the best way to do it, and in fact what Peninsula often does do. Everyone values things differently, so giving a list of choices maximizes the efficacy of the promotion.
May 1, 2018, 11:12 pm
#5
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IMO a killer perk for this particular hotel, maybe for suite bookings, would be an airport transfer by helicopter including some time (drinks?) in their rooftop helicopter departure lounge which is basically a small museum about the history of aviation in Hong Kong. Even a private manager's reception up there would be very interesting to me.
BTW as part of their "regular" vehicle fleet airport transfers, there's a staff person to assist one at the airport, or at least there was when I did the hotel's limo service offer some years ago to the airport. From the airport, the driver calls the hotel staff in advance and a front desk assistant manager meets the guest at the vehicle (IIRC with a small gift or perhaps the gift was in the vehicle), to be followed by in room check in.
Some people might appreciate having a hotel staff person meet them at the Kowloon airport express station for help with bags and an escort to a waiting hotel vehicle, with a similar escort through the mall to the check in airport express airline desks upon departure. [The RC and W offer to escort/meet hotel guests at the train station and deal with luggage for the guest, but of course they're located on top of the mall containing the Kowloon station.] It must be frustrating to use the airport express train in conjunction with the shuttle bus that serves a bunch of hotels.
On a different stay, I had a "package" booked through AMEX FHR that included an evening champagne ferry harbor tour by candlelight with minimal served appetizers, including transportation between pier and hotel by an antique double decker bus. It was a private charter ferry decorated for Christmas, staffed by hotel employees, and only available to hotel guests (I'd estimate that there were twenty or thirty of us on the night I selected), although some participants seemed to have an alternative version that included either afternoon high tea in the lobby earlier or supper after the boat ride, although not in one of the Pen's good restaurants. [Some took the supper in the lobby while others choose the second floor "veranda" place with all the windows.] It was a bit touristy but I enjoyed the experience.
Now, about my commission for these suggestions......
BTW as part of their "regular" vehicle fleet airport transfers, there's a staff person to assist one at the airport, or at least there was when I did the hotel's limo service offer some years ago to the airport. From the airport, the driver calls the hotel staff in advance and a front desk assistant manager meets the guest at the vehicle (IIRC with a small gift or perhaps the gift was in the vehicle), to be followed by in room check in.
Some people might appreciate having a hotel staff person meet them at the Kowloon airport express station for help with bags and an escort to a waiting hotel vehicle, with a similar escort through the mall to the check in airport express airline desks upon departure. [The RC and W offer to escort/meet hotel guests at the train station and deal with luggage for the guest, but of course they're located on top of the mall containing the Kowloon station.] It must be frustrating to use the airport express train in conjunction with the shuttle bus that serves a bunch of hotels.
On a different stay, I had a "package" booked through AMEX FHR that included an evening champagne ferry harbor tour by candlelight with minimal served appetizers, including transportation between pier and hotel by an antique double decker bus. It was a private charter ferry decorated for Christmas, staffed by hotel employees, and only available to hotel guests (I'd estimate that there were twenty or thirty of us on the night I selected), although some participants seemed to have an alternative version that included either afternoon high tea in the lobby earlier or supper after the boat ride, although not in one of the Pen's good restaurants. [Some took the supper in the lobby while others choose the second floor "veranda" place with all the windows.] It was a bit touristy but I enjoyed the experience.
Now, about my commission for these suggestions......
May 1, 2018, 11:13 pm
#6
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: OSL
Posts: 2,145
The specific suggestions would be nice add-ons but a confirmed upgrade or driscount (stay longer) is what would really make me consider choosing this hotel over others, There are so many nice places to eat in Hong Kong that I would not neccessarily appreciate a dinner. Afternoon tea is something we do not really do a lot (not hungry or not wanting to plan in a longer "sit down" at tea time) and airport transfer is actually quite easy in Hong Kong anyway.
Last edited by Musken; May 2, 2018 at 1:04 am
May 1, 2018, 11:14 pm
#7
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The specific suggestions would be nice add-ons but a confirmed upgrade or driscount (stay longer) is what would really make me consider choosing this hotel over others, There are so many nice places to eat in Hong Kong that I would not neccessarily appreciate a dinner. Afternoon tea is something we do not really do a lot (not hungry or not panting to plan in a longer "sit down" at tea time) and airport transfer is actually quite easy in Hong Kong anyway.
At times this property has offered third night free type rates. They also sometimes offer good discounts on certain suite types.
May 1, 2018, 11:55 pm
#8
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: BKK
Posts: 6,741
Sorry, conflated this with your other post about Paris, and was thinking Peninsula Paris.
The same applies though. A list of choies, and guest picks one, two, or three benefits. e.g.
Confirmed upgrade
One way RR transfer
Afternoon tea for two
Set dinner/lunch
Massage/spa benefit
Bottle of wine
etc...
That way everyone gets what they value most.
The same applies though. A list of choies, and guest picks one, two, or three benefits. e.g.
Confirmed upgrade
One way RR transfer
Afternoon tea for two
Set dinner/lunch
Massage/spa benefit
Bottle of wine
etc...
That way everyone gets what they value most.
May 2, 2018, 12:16 am
#9
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: BKK
Posts: 6,741
The specific suggestions would be nice add-ons but a confirmed upgrade or driscount (stay longer) is what would really make me consider choosing this hotel over others, There are so many nice places to eat in Hong Kong that I would not neccessarily appreciate a dinner. Afternoon tea is something we do not really do a lot (not hungry or not panting to plan in a longer "sit down" at tea time) and airport transfer is actually quite easy in Hong Kong anyway.
Confirmed upgrades, 3rd/4th night free, and complimentary (when otherwise expensive) airport transfers are things I really value.
Of course, from a marketing perspective, it becomes interesting because the question is how to entice guests to stay while still maximizing revenue. Another component is that certain benefits like F&B credits and spa benefits is that they also serve the purpose of driving further spend on additional items or services. So, it becomes a matter of enticing the guest to try services, F&B, or transportation that they may not otherwise use.
May 2, 2018, 1:25 am
#10
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: SFO
Programs: United global services, BA gold,
Posts: 839
Confirmed upgrade on booking. I never use the spa credits, don't care about tea, sometimes use F&B credit, but given the restaurant choices in Hong Kong it would not entice me. ( and theirs are not on my list of favorites). What would entice me would be confirmed upgrade on booking and one way airport transfer on arrival with jetway meet as can be ordered through the airport or hotels. That would be an enticing combination,even though I normally prefer staying on Hong Kong island at Four Seasons due to the location. This could sway me.
May 2, 2018, 3:32 pm
#11
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: BOS
Programs: AA EXP, DL PM, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 2,028
Realistically, with MO and LMO both offering 3rd night free this summer and TUH offering 4th night free, why would I ever choose the Pen at full price, unless I wanted/needed to be on the Kowloon side? I know Pen has offered 3rd/4th night free in the past, and if they want to be competitive with (my) business, then they should match similar offers from competitors.
May 2, 2018, 9:25 pm
#12
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: BKK
Posts: 6,741
MO HK is my favorite, so Peninsula would have to be competitive with whatever MO offers to entice me to switch.
At The Peninsula, I would really value an attractive rate on a Grand Deluxe Harbour View room or any of the suite categories offering harbour views.
At The Peninsula, I would really value an attractive rate on a Grand Deluxe Harbour View room or any of the suite categories offering harbour views.
May 5, 2018, 9:32 am
#13
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Portland, Oregon, USA
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Posts: 909
Have another HKG stay in a few months. Really would like to go back to Pen, post-renovation, since I've stayed island side every visit for the last few years. Similar to others, food doesn't do it for me owing to all the choices. To the suggestions of 3 for 2 or 4 for 3 nights and confirmed upgrade on booking, I would add late checkout confirmed at booking which is really handy when I do the late CX departures back to the west coast. Please tell your contact, thank you for asking.
May 5, 2018, 9:38 am
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Asheville, NC
Programs: Virtuoso, FSPP, STARS, MO FAN Club, PEN Club, Bellini Club, Dorchester Diamond Club, Travel Leaders
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BTW, when booked under the PenClub rate, you get flexible check-in, check-out ... so confirmed late check-out is already included under all PenClub bookings. Just have to inform of check-in/check-out times at booking.
May 5, 2018, 12:29 pm
#15
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 4,216
I’d say confirmed upgrade to a harbor view room/suite or RR transfer. Last time I stayed, I booked a Kowloon view room and got a multi level upgrade to a Kowloon view suite. I would have just preferred a Harbor view room.
Also, I really love the RR transfer.
But as as another poster said, I wouldn’t book here when the MO has 3rd night free. Not only do you get a hotel that is just as good as the Pen, you get a better location.
Also, I really love the RR transfer.
But as as another poster said, I wouldn’t book here when the MO has 3rd night free. Not only do you get a hotel that is just as good as the Pen, you get a better location.