Redefined Luxury: The Regent Hong Kong's Impact on the City's Hospitality Scene
Rediscover the epitome of luxury at the newly reopened Regent Hong Kong Immerse yourself in opulence with stunning views, lavish five-fixture bathrooms, and a serene haven of tranquility Experience a true redefinition of luxury
Please Note: This CNN Travel series may have been sponsored by the featured destination. However, CNN maintains complete editorial independence and control over the content, including subject matter, reporting, and frequency of articles and videos, in accordance with our policy.
French hotelier Michel Chertouh found himself in an unusual situation when he arrived in Hong Kong in 2021 during the height of pandemic lockdowns. Even the taxi driver who picked him up from his quarantine hotel was intrigued.
"Welcome to Hong Kong. What brings you to town?" he asked.
"Im working on a project to bring the Regent back to Hong Kong," Chertouh replied.
"The Regent? That's top-tier luxury!" exclaimed the delighted taxi driver, who eagerly recounted stories about the renowned city hotel and its significance in the history of modern Hong Kong.
Chertouh is currently the managing director of the newly revived Regent Hong Kong, which has just welcomed back guests. He's been inundated with similar anecdotes, all of which emphasize the high hopes for the updated iteration of this iconic urban hotel.
Chertouh, with over three decades of experience in the industry, expressed to CNN Travel, "It's amazing. The array of testimonials and anecdotes revealed to me the profound connection that everyone here has with Regent. I've managed numerous hotels in various locations, some with impressive buildings but lacking in soul. This is where Regent Hong Kong stands out from the rest."
The culinary delights hidden inside Hong Kongs markets
A city icon in the 1980s and 1990s, the Regent Hong Kong closed in 2001. In November 2023, it reopened to guests.
Courtesy Regent Hong Kong
Renowned for its five-fixture bathrooms and stunning views, Regent may not be the oldest luxury hotel in Hong Kong, but it certainly holds a special place in the hearts of locals, unlike the historic Peninsula Hong Kong and Mandarin Oriental.
Having first opened its doors in Hong Kong in 1981, Regent Hong Kong was under the ownership of the local New World Development Company and was operated by Regent International Hotels. Situated within the groundbreaking New World Centre, a large-scale retail, entertainment, residential, and hotel complex, the hotel quickly became a popular recreation destination in Hong Kong. While it was not the original Regent Hotel, this specific property was intended to serve as the group's new flagship hotel.
With the goal of transforming it into the top hotel globally, Robert Burns, the co-founder of Regent, devised a series of groundbreaking concepts. Among them, the five-fixture bathroom garnered significant attention.
Each hotel room featured two sinks, a bathtub, a separate shower room, and a toilet, setting a new standard for luxury hotels around the world. This was a "world first" in modern luxury hotels, as most at that time only had three-fixture bathrooms. Due to these innovations, along with the stunning views of Victoria Harbour and the grand ballroom, the Regent Hong Kong quickly gained popularity and became the talk of the town.
Chertouh recalls that during that period, Regent was the sole establishment with a large ballroom. It hosted numerous high-profile events, corporate galas, weddings, and anniversaries. As families grew, they continued to hold their important celebrations at the venue, creating a deep connection between Hong Kong and the property due to the countless memories shared by the community.
The Hong Kong hotel has been honored with numerous "world's best" awards throughout the years. However, in 2001, the local owner New World Development sold the property to Bass Hotels and Resorts. With new management, it was rebranded as the InterContinental Hong Kong.
Regent Hotels & Resorts experienced various changes in ownership, with the InterContinental Hotels Group acquiring a majority stake in 2018, sparking plans to bring back the beloved hotel brand to the city.
The InterContinental Hong Kong halted operations in 2020 to make way for a complete makeover, culminating in the return of Regent Hong Kong, which opened this month.
Chi Wong Lo, a Hong Kong-born, Athens-based architect and designer, is behind the redesign of the new Regent Hong Kong.
Henrik Hui/Courtesy Regent Hong Kong
The tranquil fortress
Designed by Chi Wing Lo, a renowned multidisciplinary architect and designer from Hong Kong, the new version of Regent Hong Kong exudes a sense of serenity. This project marks Lo's debut in the hotel industry, despite his existing ties to the brand. Known for his luxurious Italian-made furniture line, Lo brings his unique expertise to this new venture.
He departed from Hong Kong in 1981 when the Regent Hong Kong was inaugurated, to pursue architecture studies at the University of Toronto and Harvard University. He has resided in Athens for over thirty years but fondly remembers commuting on a daily ferry across Victoria Harbour in the 1970s and observing the hotel's construction.
Lo, seated by the windowsill in the brand-new duplex Presidential Suite of the Regent Hong Kong, remarked, "I heard there's a fantastic hotel in the works." Reflecting on returning after 40 years to redesign the Regent, Lo added, "It's a destiny I never thought possible."
The new Regent Hong Kong embodies Los' philosophy of understated luxury.
"Great work should be quietly discovered, never shouting for attention," he explains. "I have always valued modesty and tranquility in my designs, as I believe this captures the essence of timeless Chinese design."
The new design reflects a sense of tranquility with its use of muted colors and natural materials, in contrast to the bold gold, red, and royal blue color scheme that once represented the old Regent - although subtle amounts of these colors can still be found.
The Feng Shui fountain, a feature of the old Regent, helps drown out street noises for guests walking into the hotel.
Courtesy Regent Hong Kong
Visitors to the hotel are greeted by a traditional Feng Shui fountain and then enter through ornate wooden double doors, evoking the feeling of entering an ancient Chinese palace.
"Our inspiration for this design was to provide guests with a sense of tranquility. I believe that finding tranquility is the most effective way to alleviate stress," explains Lo.
A Hong Kong wartime diary sparked an unexpected friendship that lasted for decades and crossed continents. Once the heavy doors closed, visitors found themselves in a dimly lit lobby with unique "chandeliers" designed to resemble brick walls. These chandeliers were crafted from liu li glass, a special Chinese glassmaking method that involves molding and casting glass blocks.
The atmospheric lobby leads to the spacious, well-lit Lobby Lounge and Harbourside restaurants. Rest assured, the iconic floor-to-ceiling windows that have provided unparalleled views of the city's harbor for decades are still intact in this corner.
And so are some of the staff.
Joyce Lai joined the Hong Kong Regent in 1993 as a junior waitress at Harbourside restaurant.
Regent has long been regarded as a chic, esteemed, and glamorous hotel, beloved by both local and international VIPs. "Harbourside was a popular haunt for local celebrities and film stars," she shares with CNN Travel. "I even had the honor of serving breakfast to US President George Bush (Sr) during his stay at Regent Hong Kong."
Over the years, Lai has held various positions in different departments within the hotel and currently serves as the service center manager at Regent Hong Kong. In this role, she supervises the team responsible for addressing all guest inquiries. Lai has made it a tradition to bring her young children to the hotel's annual Christmas Party, and her son even participated in a festive photoshoot for the hotel's holiday gingerbread-making class.
"I still have the photos⦠After so many years, this has become my home. My children consider the hotel their second home, having spent so much time here," says Lai.
The Regent Hong Kong has six food and beverage outlets including Nobu (pictured), an innovative Japanese restaurant by Nobu Matsuhisa.
Courtesy Regent Hong Kong
The new Regent Hong Kong retains popular features from the original, including the grand marble staircase - a must-visit spot for hotel guests to take group photos, and Lo has also incorporated elements inspired by the hotel's collectibles and designs, such as a stunning folding screen artwork in the lobby.
The new Regent Hong Kong boasts 497 guest rooms, with 129 suites available. One standout feature is its expansive Presidential Suite, featuring a private terrace and infinity pool with stunning views of the harbor - making it one of the largest in the city. Additionally, the property offers six food and beverage outlets, such as the Harbourside restaurant and the Lobby Lounge.
The Two-Michelin-star Cantonese restaurant Yan Toh Heen has returned to its original name, Lai Ching Heen, just like the hotel. The luxurious jade place settings and exquisite dim sum have thankfully stayed the same. In addition to Lai Ching Heen, Nobu by renowned restaurateur and author Nobu Matsuhisa, and the Steak House are also popular dining options for food enthusiasts at the Regent.
Meanwhile, a bar and cigar lounge called Qura is slated to open in the Regent in the coming weeks.
"Simplicity is a luxury that everyone wants today," says Michel Chertouh, the hotel's managing director.
Courtesy Regent Hong Kong
Redefining luxury
On the eve of the reopening, Chertouh and Lo are busy going through the rooms and fine-tuning small details around the hotel.
Lo observes, "There's no tree in this view," as he explores one of the rooms, noting the absence of the Stone Garden - a metal structure located outside each harbor-facing room, intended to provide guests with a connection to the city.
In line with the previous Regent hoteliers, the pair aims to kick off their quest to redefine the concept of luxury hospitality in Hong Kong.
Their "new luxury" concept emphasizes the importance of paying attention to even the smallest details, from design to service, in a subtle and discreet manner. For example, the chairs in most of the Regent Hong Kong rooms have been intentionally designed to be a few centimeters lower than standard, creating a more spacious feel. Additionally, the chairs are rotatable, allowing guests to effortlessly take in the views without having to adjust their seating.
The usual fruit bowls are there but contain only grapes. Welcome pastries can be finished in two bites so guests dont have to cut anything up themselves.
Lo even designed the bathtubs that were installed in the new rooms.
Courtesy Regent Hong Kong
Lo's innovative new soaking tub provides a unique and comfortable bathing experience, while the beds are made in a more relaxed manner for the convenience of guests. This ensures that they do not have to struggle with stiffly tucked sheets and blankets in order to feel comfortable.
Chertouh expresses that, in today's world, simplicity is valued over excess, likening it to a luxury. He highlights the importance of having the freedom to reset and not be overwhelmed by constant stimulation. He also emphasizes the shift towards modern and future hospitality, without being tied down by tradition.
