MINI Takes Manhattan and Chicago as the Peninsula Welcomes New Bespoke MINI Cooper S Clubman Cars

NEW YORK, Nov. 18, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- The holidays will bring more than just good tidings beginning in November when The Peninsula New York and The Peninsula Chicago each unveil two customized MINI Cooper S Clubman vehicles. Offered as a complimentary amenity to suite guests, the high-performance head-turners will be a treat for those guests seeking some motoring thrills as they are whisked away for a shopping spree or sightseeing adventure around town.

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To inaugurate the new MINI fleet, The Peninsula New York and The Peninsula Chicago are sharing the fun of the MINIs with locals and guests. On November 18, 2010, The Peninsula New York will reveal the MINIs at UNICEF's annual Snowflake Lighting event in front of the hotel and offer complimentary rides to all guests and locals from November 18-19, 2010. Chicago residents and visitors will enjoy a float showcasing a replica of the customized MINIs in the city's famed "Magnificent Mile Lights Festival presented by Harris" parade on November 20, 2010 and in Chicago's Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 25, 2010.

Guests who book a suite at each hotel will have access to a MINI for up to three hours per day during their stay.  The chauffeured vehicles can be used for shopping excursions or sightseeing around Manhattan and Chicago.  The Peninsula New York's Chef Concierge Frederick Bigler and The Peninsula Chicago's Chef Concierge Todd Nelson have developed a series of self-guided three-hour motoring tours for guests to enjoy. Guests can direct the driver as they wish within the city limits (within Manhattan in New York), or use the sample tours provided by the Concierges.

Examples of Peninsula's self-guided tours include a Famous Chicago Movie Scenes Tour and an Engagement Surprise Ride at The Peninsula Chicago and a trip to the famous Cloisters museum located at the very northern tip of Manhattan and a shopping tour of the Meatpacking District at The Peninsula New York. An iPhone or iPad is also available for guests' use during their trip to provide directions and customized tips for the various excursions.

As an added enticement, The Peninsula New York is offering The Suite Life promotion providing guests a complimentary second night when booking a two-night suite-level stay.

"We are pleased to introduce these delightful additions to our transportation fleet," said Peter Borer, Chief Operating Officer of Peninsula Hotels.  "At The Peninsula Hotels, we believe the journey is part of the adventure. With transportation options ranging from rooftop helicopters and helipads to rare vintage cars and our bespoke Rolls-Royce Phantoms, we have made innovative and luxurious transportation part of the Peninsula signature experience. Our new MINIs offer Peninsula signature style along with that extra bit of flair and fun."

The Peninsula Hotels has a long history of providing stylish rides for their guests, including the Hong Kong property's legendary fleet of 14 Rolls-Royce Phantoms and four 1934 Rolls-Royce Phantom IIs belonging to The Peninsula Hong Kong, The Peninsula Tokyo, The Peninsula Shanghai and The Peninsula Paris, all finished in signature Peninsula Green. The Peninsula most recently collaborated with BMW to create a custom-made bespoke MINI Cooper S Clubman, with the personalization process taking over two years to perfect.  The dedicated features include: a custom-illuminated Peninsula logo on door entry sills, leather finishing to match the existing Rolls-Royce interiors, and the signature Peninsula Green colour that adorns every vehicle in the hotel's transport fleet.  Each car is also specially fitted with a tailor-made rooftop box providing extra cargo space, a mini-fridge offering complimentary refreshments, and an iPhone.

The MINIs first debuted at The Peninsula Hong Kong in December 2009, and the tradition now continues this November at The Peninsula hotels in New York and Chicago, with Tokyo in January 2011.

For more information, please visit www.peninsula.com.

SOURCE The Peninsula Hotels