Regent Hotels & Resorts

Regent Hotels & Resorts is a British luxury hospitality brand, founded by hotelier Robert H. Burns in 1970. After passing through different owners since foundation, it is currently jointly owned by IHG Hotels & Resorts and Formosa International Hotels Corporation since July 2018, with hotels and resorts in Asia and Europe.

Regent Hotels & Resorts
TypeSubsidiary
IndustryHospitality
Founded1970
HeadquartersDenham, Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom
Key people
Robert Burns,
(Founder)
Georg Rafael,
(Founder)
Adrian Zecha,
(Founder)
Steven Pan,
(Executive Chairman)
ProductsHotels, resorts
OwnerIHG Hotels & Resorts (51%)
Silks Hotel Group (49%)
Websitewww.ihg.com/regent/
A tall wide building with a dark steel-and-glass facade, seen from across a busy, large intersection on an overcast day
Regent Beijing, in 2014

History

The brand was founded by hotelier Robert H. Burns as a joint venture with Japan's Tokyu Group in 1970, opening its first property in Waikiki Beach, Honolulu in 1971. Burns was, soon after, joined by Georg Rafael and Adrian Zecha, who together developed and expanded Regent's footprint to 17 hotels worldwide.[1] In 1981, The Regent Hong Kong opened to great acclaim and was consistently labelled "the world's best hotel".[2][3] The Regent Beverly Wilshire joined the chain in 1985, and later served as the setting for the 1990 film Pretty Woman,[4] which helped cement Regent's reputation as a luxury hotel operator at the time.[5]

In 1986, EIE International acquired a 35% stake. When Burns decided to sell his remaining 65% stake in 1992, EIE exercised its right of first refusal to acquire the entire company, which was then promptly sold to the Four Seasons hotel chain.[6] Regent properties that were under development at the time of purchase in Bali, Milan, New York, and Istanbul were subsequently opened under the Four Seasons flag. Furthermore, Regent Hotels in Jakarta, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Sydney, as well as the Beverly Wilshire were likewise absorbed into the Four Seasons chain.[7][8]

In 1998, Carlson acquired the Regent name for new hotel developments and created a luxury hotel division while Four Seasons continued managing existing and new Regent hotels, thus labelling existing Regents as "a Four Seasons Hotel".[9] In 2002, Carlson agreed with Rezidor SAS to develop the Regent hotel brand in Africa, Europe and the Middle East.[10] Projects were announced in Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Hungary, but none materialized under the Regent brand under Carlson's ownership.

In March 2006, Carlson renamed its Radisson Seven Seas Cruises as Regent Seven Seas Cruises and merged the cruise operation and Regent International Hotels under a common brand.[11] In 2008, Regent Seven Seas Cruises was sold to Apollo Management, an investment company. Carlson retained ownership of the master Regent brand, along with the operations of Regent Hotels & Resorts around the world.[12]

In 2010, Carlson sold the Regent business to Formosa International Hotels, the largest listed hotel operator in Taiwan and owner of Grand Formosa Regent Taipei hotel in Taipei, Taiwan, which was opened by Regent's founders in 1990 as The Regent Taipei.[13][14][15] Co-founder Robert Burns was appointed Honorary Chairman, and Ralf Ohletz as president. Ohletz had worked with another Regent co-founder, Adrian Zecha, for 25 years.[7]

In March 2018, IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG) announced that it had agreed to buy a 51% majority stake in Regent Hotels for $39 million and planned to expand the brand to 40 hotels from six hotels at acquisition.[16] This includes rebranding the InterContinental Hong Kong, which initially opened as a Regent property in 1980, to a Regent property once again in 2022 following major renovations. As part of the acquisition deal, IHG has the right to acquire the remaining 49% of Regent in a phased manner from 2026.[17] New properties have since been signed in Kuala Lumpur, Chengdu, Shanghai and Jeddah.

Since the acquisition of Regent by IHG, the brand logo, monogram and identity were changed in May 2019, where IHG has positioned the brand as its top end offering in the luxury hotel segment.

Current properties
Regent Berlin
Regent Taipei Lobby
Europe
  • Regent Berlin - opened in 1996 as Four Seasons Hotel Berlin, converted to Regent in 2004
  • Regent Porto Montenegro - opened 2014
  • Carlton Cannes, A Regent Hotel - opened in 1913 as the Carlton Hotel, operated as the Carlton InterContinental between 1982 and 2020, reopened as a Regent on March 13, 2023
Asia
  • Regent Beijing - opened 2006
  • Regent Chongqing - opened 2017
  • Regent Hong Kong - opened in 1980 as The Regent Hong Kong, rebranded to InterContinental Hong Kong between 2001 and 2020, reopened as a Regent in 2023
  • Regent Phu Quoc - opened April 19, 2022
  • Regent Shanghai Pudong - opened in 2012 as Four Seasons Hotel Shanghai at Pudong, converted to Regent in 2020[18]
  • Regent Taipei - opened 1990
Branded Residences
  • Regent Residences Jakarta

Pipeline properties
  • Regent Bali Canggu - opening 2023[19]
  • Regent Santa Monica Beach - opening 2023[20]
  • Regent Shanghai on The Bund - opening 2023[21]
  • Regent Jeddah - opening 2024[22]
  • Regent Kyoto - opening 2024[23]
  • Regent Sanya Haitang Bay - opening 2026[24]
  • Regent Shenzhen Bay - opening 2028[25]
  • Regent Kuala Lumpur - opening TBD[26]
  • Regent Chengdu - opening TBD[19]

Former properties
US
Canada
Caribbean
  • Cerromar Beach Hotel, Puerto Rico - later Hyatt Regency Cerromar Beach Resort, closed since 2003
  • Dorado Beach Hotel, Puerto Rico - later Hyatt Dorado Beach, demolished to build Dorado Beach, a Ritz Carlton Reserve
  • The Regent Palms Turks & Caicos - currently The Palms Turks & Caicos
Europe
Asia
  • The Regent Shanghai, China - currently The Longemont Shanghai
  • The Regent, Hong Kong - currently InterContinental Hong Kong, to return under the Regent flag in 2022
  • The Regent Bali, Indonesia - renamed Fairmont Sanur Beach Bali 2014, then InterContinental Bali Sanur Resort in 2022
  • The Regent of Balikpapan, Indonesia - opened 1980, currently Collection O 1963 Hotel The New Benakutai[28]
  • The Regent Jakarta, Indonesia - opened 1995, renamed Four Seasons Hotel Jakarta 2004,[29] closed 2016, reopened 2022 as The St. Regis Jakarta
  • The Regent Mumbai, India - opened 1999, currently Taj Lands End Mumbai
  • The Regent Okinawa, Okinawa, Japan - currently The Naha Terrace
  • The Regent of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - currently Parkroyal Kuala Lumpur
  • The Regent Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - currently Grand Millennium Kuala Lumpur
  • The Regent of Manila, Philippines - caught fire in 1985, currently The Heritage Hotel Manila
  • Regent Singapore - opened in 1988 as the Pavilion Inter-Continental Singapore, converted to Regent in 1992, left January 1, 2023 to become Conrad Singapore Orchard[30][31][32]
  • Galle Face Hotel, Colombo, Sri Lanka - currently independent
  • The President Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand - currently Holiday Inn Bangkok
  • Indra Regent Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand - currently independent, though still using the same name
  • The Regent of Bangkok, Thailand - later Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok, currently Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel
  • The Regent Chiang Mai, Thailand - opened 1995, currently Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai
  • The Regent Phuket Cape Panwa, Thailand - currently Amatara Wellness Resort
Oceania
  • The Regent of Melbourne, Australia - currently Sofitel Melbourne on Collins
  • The Regent of Sydney, Australia - currently Four Seasons Hotel Sydney
  • The Regent of Auckland - currently JW Marriott Auckland[33]
  • The Regent of Fiji - currently The Westin Denarau Island Resort

Terminated projects

The following property developments were terminated before opening:

  • The Regent Bali, Indonesia - opened 1992 as Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay[34]
  • The Regent New York, New York City - opened 1993 as Four Seasons Hotel New York
  • The Regent Istanbul, Turkey - opened 1996 as Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet
  • The Regent Park Hotel, Tokyo Bay - opened 1988 as Dai-ichi Hotel Tokyo Bay, currently Hotel Okura Tokyo Bay
  • The Regent Yokohama, Japan - opened 1991 as InterContinental Yokohama Grand
  • The Regent Milan, Italy - opened 1993 as Four Seasons Hotel Milan[35]
  • The Regent Mexico City - announced in 1999 with a planned opening in 2000,[36] never materialized
  • The Regent Vancouver - announced in 1999 with a planned opening in 2001,[36] never materialized
  • The Regent Los Cabos - announced in 1999 with a planned opening in 2001,[36] never materialized
  • The Regent Punta Maroma - announced in 1999 with a planned opening in 2001[35]
  • The Regent Bangkok, Thailand - planned in 2004, stalled for many years, opened 2018 as Hyatt Regency Bangkok Sukhumvit
  • The Regent Boston at Battery Wharf - opened 2009 as Fairmont Battery Wharf, currently Battery Wharf Hotel
  • The Regent Kuwait, Kuwait - planned opening 2007,[37] opened 2013 as Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel and Spa
  • The Regent Doha, Qatar - planned opening 2013, opened 2016 as The Westin Doha Hotel & Spa
  • The Regent Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - planned opening 2013, opened 2018 as Grand Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel & Residences Emirates Pearl
  • The Regent Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - planned opening 2015, never materialized
  • Regent Place Xian, Xi'an, China - planned opening 2017[38]
  • Regent Place Harbin, China - planned opening 2017[39]
  • The Regent Suzhou, China - planned opening 2018, never materialized
  • The Regent Ningbo, China - planned opening 2005,[40] opened 2021 as HUALUXE Ningbo Harbor City
  • The Regent Budapest, Hungary - planned opening 2007, opened 2023 as W Budapest
  • The Regent Dubai at Canal Point, United Arab Emirates - planned opening 2010, never materialized[41]
  • The Regent Dubrovnik, Croatia - planned opening 2008, never materialized[42]
  • The Regent Gurgaon, India - planned opening 2013, never materialized[43]

See also

References
  1. "Regent - An Asian Story | Famoushotels.org". famoushotels.org. Retrieved 2022-12-22.
  2. "IHG develops its luxury segment with Regent Hotels & Resorts". Hospitality ON. Retrieved 2022-12-22.
  3. "He's seen it all: 30 years as a Hong Kong hotel concierge". South China Morning Post. 2020-04-03. Retrieved 2022-12-22.
  4. LAFS (2017-06-06). "5 Movies with Set Locations You Can Visit". The Los Angeles Film School. Retrieved 2022-12-22.
  5. "Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel (1928), Beverly Hills | Historic Hotels of the World-Then&Now". www.historichotelsthenandnow.com. Retrieved 2022-12-22.
  6. Zuckerman, Laurence (20 August 1992). "Checking Out of Regent Hotels:How Chairman Was Bumped". The New York Times.
  7. "Regent Hotels & Resorts Returns to Asia: Announces New Global Leadership Team". Hospitality net.org. 2010-07-08.
  8. "The Regent Sydney to become Four Seasons Hotel Sydney". Hospitality Net. Retrieved 2022-12-22.
  9. "Carlson Hospitality Worldwide And Four Seasons/Regent To Enter Into An Agreement To Aggressively Grow Regent Brand Globally". Carlson (Press release).
  10. "Rezidor SAS Hospitality". CatererSearch.com. 2006-06-28.
  11. Godwin, Nadine (2006-03-13). "Carlson renames cruise line Regent Seven Seas". Travel Weekly.
  12. "Apollo Management L.P. Acquires Regent Seven Seas Cruises". PR Newswire (Press release).
  13. Black, Sam (2010-04-18). "Carlson selling Regent luxury hotel business". Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal.
  14. Tan, Jason (2010-04-17). "Formosa Hotels acquires 'Regent' business". Taipei Times.
  15. "About The Regent Taipei". GrandFormosa.com.
  16. "InterContinental Hotels buys majority stake in Regent Hotels". Reuters. 2018-03-14. Retrieved 2018-03-14.
  17. "IHG completes acquisition of 51% stake in Regent Hotels & Resorts". IHG Hotels & Resorts. 2018-07-02. Retrieved 2021-03-15.
  18. formerly Four Seasons Hotel Shanghai Pudong
  19. "Preliminary Results for the year to 31 December 2018".
  20. "Legendary Regent brand to debut in the Americas with Santa Monica beachfront resort". 14 March 2022.
  21. "IHG's Luxury Hotel Brand Regent to Open on Shanghai's North Bund".
  22. "IHG to redefine luxury hospitality in Saudi Arabia with debut of ultra-luxury brand Regent Hotels & Resorts". IHG Hotels & Resorts. 2023-07-26. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
  23. "Regent Kyoto Hotel Announced for 2024".
  24. "IHG Partners with China Duty Free Group to Bring Luxury Hotel Brand Regent to Hainan".
  25. "Regent Shenzhen Bay Hotel Announced for 2028". 8 November 2022.
  26. "IHG inks Regent deal as it relaunches luxury brand". 18 October 2018.
  27. "ILTM Portfolio - Creating Moments that Matter".
  28. https://setiapgedung.web.id/2019/05/hotel-benakutai.html
  29. "After More Than Eight Years of Successful Management, the Regent Jakarta Becomes Four Seasons Hotel Jakarta / July 2004".
  30. opened as the Pavilion Inter-Continental Singapore in 1988, converted to Regent Singapore in 1992. In 1998, the ownership of Regent Hotels and Resorts was transferred from Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts to Carlson hotels. Four Seasons retained the management contract of this property and also decided to retain its Regent branding, rather than converting to Four Seasons, like its other managed hotels. The property was renamed 'The Regent Singapore, A Four Seasons Hotel', in order to distinguish it from other Regent hotels, whose management contracts were under the ownership of Carlson hotels. In 2018, InterContinental Hotels Group became the new owner of Regent Hotels and Resorts. As a result of this, Pontiac Land Group, the owner of the property, and Four Seasons, mutually agreed not to extend the management contract when it expired on December 31, 2018. Pontiac originally planned to self-manage the property under its own subsidiary Capella Hotels, but eventually agreed to sign a new management contract with InterContinental Hotels Group, allowing the hotel to stay within Regent's portfolio. The hotel left Regent on January 1, 2023 to become Conrad Singapore Orchard.
  31. "Regent Singapore to be Managed by Capella Hotel Group".
  32. "A second Conrad Hotel for Singapore".
  33. JW Marriott to make New Zealand debut in Auckland
  34. "Bali Marks the Resurgence of Regent". 9 September 2013.
  35. "Mini casts refugees as extras". 23 June 1992.
  36. "The Regent Beverly Wilshire Ranks 37th in the Continental United States and Canada According to Travel and Leisure Poll". 30 September 1999.
  37. "First Regent Hotel in the Middle East - the Regent Kuwait - Slated for 2007".
  38. "Regent Place Xian to Open 2016 in China".
  39. "Regent Place Harbin set to launch in 2017". 6 August 2015.
  40. "Regent International Hotels Signs Agreement to Open Luxury Hotel in China the Regent Ningbo scheduled to open in 2005".
  41. "No Regent hotel at Canal Point - Rezidor".
  42. "Six Hotels in One Week - Rezidor Sas Expands ITS International Presence".
  43. "Carlson Hotels Worldwide Expands Luxury Regent Brand into India".
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