A reimagined haven on the harbor – the Regent Hong Kong reborn

By Regent® Hotels & Resorts

A reimagined haven on the harbor – the Regent Hong Kong reborn

As Hong Kong rebounds post-Covid, it’s the dawn of a new era in Kowloon, where world-class cultural attractions including M+ and the Hong Kong Palace Museum lure visitors and locals alike. In the heart of Kowloon, on the edge of Victoria Harbour is one of the most alluring and highly anticipated venues – the reimagined Regent Hotel, which makes a magnificent return to Hong Kong – perfectly timed with the momentum of the city’s revitalisation. Following the most extensive transformation in its history, the renowned harborfront hotel builds on its Regent heritage (1980-2001) of innovation, extraordinary views and exceptional service.

Managing Director Michel Chertouh shares: “The extended pause in Hong Kong has allowed us the opportunity to undergo a total metamorphosis – from the hotel façade and entrance to all public areas and guestrooms. Over the past many months, we have been gradually unveiling our reimagined facilities and immersive new experiences while building the momentum of our relaunch later this fall. The timing is ideally aligned with the city’s revitalisation as we see visitor arrivals gradually rebound with the return of both business and leisure travellers.”

He adds: “I am thrilled by my team’s passion in bringing the Regent back to Hong Kong. It is also humbling and inspiring to witness the emotions and hear the memories evoked by the property among the local community. I look forward to seeing Regent Hong Kong contribute to the success of this incredible city as a global travel destination.”

The hotel had its soft opening with its Dining Destination in December 2022 – building on decades of culinary and service excellence with re-envisioned dining experiences at beloved restaurants which include Harbourside (a vibrant market experience with immersive international buffets), The Steak House (a haven for meat and wine lovers), The Lobby Lounge (a cinematic destination with mesmerising harbor views) and the two-Michelin starred Lai Ching Heen (formerly Yan Toh Heen) which is a discovery of Cantonese culinary treasures).

Within the reimagined Dining Destination, you’ll find the vibrancy of local tastes and emerging talent married with innovation, creativity and decadence. Immersive culinary journeys go beyond the excellence of the cuisine itself with sensory encounters inspired by Hong Kong’s rich culture and art. Each distinctive dining experience is thoughtfully reimagined, curated and decadently indulgent. Classic dishes, all-time favourites and time-honoured cocktails are reinvented with style and panache.

The ultimate in discreet luxury, the exclusive private dining venues at Lai Ching Heen and The Steak House offer customised culinary journeys with a sense of intimacy. With curated menus and bespoke tea or wine pairing options, the elevated sensory experiences showcase innovation and creativity with seamless service and a touch of decadence.

This fall will see the return of Nobu (showcasing the innovative Japanese cuisine of world renowned chef Nobu Matsuhisa), the launch of Regent Club (an exclusive residential luxury retreat where bespoke services on your terms elevate the Regent experience to new heights) and Qura (a decadent new destination bar with mesmerising harbor views).

A legendary venue for the city’s most glamorous events and galas for over four decades, Regent Hong Kong is still home to show-stopping arrivals at the glistening entrance with its cascading feng shui fountain. The iconic white marble staircase leading to the Regent Ballroom has been meticulously restored to the delight of the next generation of brides, who dream of posing here for their Regent Wedding. Ten versatile function venues with wall-to-wall windows overlooking Victoria Harbor and the Hong Kong skyline provide flexibility and spectacular panoramic vistas for smaller events that create lasting impressions. Each bespoke event is curated by the hotel’s experienced event planners, wedding artists and culinary experts to create everlasting memories.

Following the hotel’s stunning transformation, you will discover a sense of intimate grandeur with a soul-rejuvenating aesthetic by Hong Kong born design visionary Chi Wing Lo. With over 30 years of architecture and design experience in the United States, Greece and Italy, Chi Wing Lo blends artisanal craftsmanship with a subtle yet sublime sensibility for his reimagining of Regent Hong Kong, his first hotel project. He has created a design language integrating the hotel’s storied heritage, serene aesthetics and the Regent signature Beauty of Contrasts, juxtaposing spectacular views of bustling Victoria Harbour with serene interiors layered with textured materials and quietly decadent touches.

Inspired by the hotel’s unique location perched on the harbour’s edge with panoramic vistas, Chi Wing Lo shares, “My vision is to create something different and unique – a design that can represent Hong Kong and create a sense of peace, tranquillity and balance within the city. From the moment of arrival, we are setting the tone for a journey of discovery – a seamless sequence, like a cleansing ritual preparing you for the unexpected harmony that lies within.”

As iconic Regent doormen warmly welcome you through massive castle-like doors at the hotel entrance, you walk through an enticing “Golden Illusion” passageway inspired by LiuLi glass[ET1] [CMW2] [CMW3]  art, comprised of 16 vertical glass brick screens resembling floor-to-ceiling chandeliers. The dark granite floor encased with glass inserts weaves a stone carpet, creating an intricate pattern of reflections. Regent Experience Agents greet you at a long, softly lit, translucent onyx check-in counter framed by a 15-meter LED screen with local cinematic art.  In the lobby, you feel a sense of nostalgia as “The Spirit of Regent Retrospective” screen, crafted from juxtaposing pieces of the hotel’s original art collection, recalls the essence of the art which graced the walls in the early Regent years.

A few steps further and you discover the Lobby Lounge with its dramatic wrap-around wall of windows revealing Victoria Harbor in all its glory – the misty effect on glass balustrades dissolving the foreground, as panoramic views of the dazzling harbor and skyline unfold. Reimagined as a calming oasis – majestic yet intimate, the venue transforms throughout the day like a chameleon. Afternoon Tea is an indulgent experience overlooking the dazzling vista. As the skyline transforms at sunset into a kaleidoscope of vibrant colours each evening, you can discover intriguing selections from Grower Champagnes Houses and boutique wineries, perfectly paired with a chilled seafood tower or charcuterie platter. With large semi-circular banquettes and armchairs that swivel with cleverly hidden revolving mechanisms, every guest can enjoy the spectacular vista of Victoria Harbor.

Guestrooms and suites have gradually been unveiled floor-by-floor since late March 2023, with Regent Experience Agents personally guiding visitors on a journey of discovery to one of the 497 guestrooms including 129 suites. Each is reimagined as a Personal Haven of peace and tranquillity with neutral tones and meticulously chosen design details.  In selected harbor view rooms. purposefully positioned mirrored sliding doors reflect the vibrant waterfront or open to a soaking tub with views of the dramatic cityscape from the Oasis Bathroom, a sanctuary for the senses, with the bath experience reimagined as an art form. The windowfront daybed is a Personal Haven designed to inspire indulgent moments and unique experiences. The rhythmic canopy ceiling, custom-designed furniture, including an armchair that swivels and other careful compositions, invite contemplation. 

Within the oasis of calm with alluring Framed Views of the dazzling Hong Kong skyline, your Regent Experience Agent enables a seamless journey, while curating uplifting moments and multi-sensory experiences, while the 24-hour Regent Service Centre and Regent Chat App mean that service inon your terms wherever you are within the hotel or city. Day to Evening Ritualsbecome magical moments, as the skyline transforms at dusk. Staff emerge in chic evening uniforms; the playlist and lighting morph into an intimate evening mode. Senses are heightened as the skyline becomes electrified with “A Symphony of Lights”.

In guestrooms, curated experiences await your discovery each evening. Here the luxury is discreet, the grandeur intimate, the experience personal and the dining decadent, stunningly staged with the city’s best harbor views. Every view, one to covet. Every moment, one to savor. Every stay, another story to tell. This is the reimagined Regent Hong Kong, an alluring cinematic haven on Victoria Harbour in the heart of revitalised Kowloon.

Inspiring discoveries await. 
https://hongkong.regenthotels.com/ 

About Regent® Hotels & Resorts:

Guests have made grand entrances through the doors of Regent® Hotels & Resorts for nearly half a century. Born in 1970, our collection of modern hotels and resorts are home to stays both serene and sensational. The type of experiences that spark stories and charm even the most seasoned of travellers. Regent Hotels & Resorts hotels are located in some of the globe’s most inspiring must-see destinations, from urban streetscapes rich in culture to ports with breath-taking seaside views. An invitation to life’s most scenic moments, Regent hotels are amongst the most well-known luxury hotels in the world, with nine open hotels including the exclusive Regent Hong Kong, Carlton Cannes – a Regent Hotel, Regent Phu Quoc, Regent Chongqing, Regent Shanghai, and Regent Porto Montenegro. Ten further properties are due to open in the next five years in Bali, Santa Monica, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Chengdu, Sanya, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Jeddah and Kyoto. For more information and to book, visit www.regenthotels.com