The hotel will offer Chinese guests a personalized experience during the Chinese New Year designed to provide them with memories of home, including the traditional lion dance, and authentic dining delights from Chinese New Year Afternoon Tea to special Chinese-themed menus at Shanghai Terrace.

Auspicious Traditional Lion Dances to Start a New Year

On Saturday, February 17, 2018, a traditional lion dance will commence at 3:15 pm at The Peninsula Chicago’s front entrance amid a joyful atmosphere, while loud drumbeats and strong cymbal crashes scare away evil spirits. The lion troupe will then make its way down The Gallery on the hotel’s main 5th floor lobby, weaving through the tables in The Lobby during Afternoon Tea at 3:30 pm. Children are invited to “feed” lettuce to the lion, representing good luck for the coming year!

Holiday Décor to Bring Fortune and Luck

To let guests soak up the holiday atmosphere while they are away from home, The Peninsula Chicago will be adorned with red lanterns and Year of the Dog décor throughout the hotel. The color red represents joy and luck in Chinese culture, and so the hotel’s facade will be illuminated in red, adding to the spirit of the season. The Lobby will be decked with red flowers and tangerine trees, representing good fortune. Guest rooms will also feature festive customs, including a red packet containing a large chocolate coin that will be placed in all guest rooms during turn-down service on Thursday, February 15, the eve of Chinese New Year. Traditionally, Chinese customs are to place a red packet with lucky money underneath the pillow on the eve of the New Year to wish for a healthy and prosperous year.

Quintessential Gourmet Delicacies to Share with Friends and Family

Food plays a key role in Chinese culture, and no less so than at Chinese New Year. At Shanghai Terrace from February 15 through 22, 2018, guests can indulge and celebrate with an eight-course special Chinese menu of authentic favorites such as double boiled Chinese ginseng soup, Australian red abalone, Peninsula XO fish fillet, pan-fried tiger prawn, Shanghai Terrace kung pao beef tenderloin, and a chilled cherry sago cream for US$ 138 per person. This special menu will be offered in addition to the regular á la carte menu.

Special Chinese New Year Afternoon Tea

A special Chinese New Year Afternoon Tea will be served in the newly refurbished Lobby restaurant featuring a distinctively festive flavor including a Chinese savory item, traditional Chinese sweets, and will showcase special Chinese teas offered February 15 through 18, 2018. The Chinese New Year Afternoon Tea will be available for US$ 65 per person. The traditional Afternoon Tea will also be available.

Cheers to Chinese New Year

A special cocktail, The Bernard, will be available for US$ 17 in Shanghai Terrace and The Bar from February 15 through 22, 2018.

Festive Rejuvenation with The Peninsula Spa

Guests can pamper themselves with the special, Asian-inspired Bamboo Harmonizer Massage, available at The Peninsula Spa for US$ 285 Monday through Thursday or for US$ 300 Friday through Sunday. This 90-minute massage uses traditional bamboo to target tense muscles and provide therapeutic relief to sore and stressed joints.

Celebrate the New Year with Winter Online Exclusive Offer

Guests interested in creating their very own special moments this holiday can receive a complimentary upgrade to the next room category when booking online at chicago.peninsula.com.  This offer includes complimentary room upgrade to next category, flexible check-in and check-out times, and for guests who book a suite, complimentary daily American breakfast for two. This offer is based on availability.