Regent Hong Kong: The iconic hotel that redefined luxury for the entire city

French hotelier Michel Chertouh arrived in Hong Kong during a unique period: it was 2021, and the city was deep into pandemic lockdowns. Even the taxi driver who picked him up from quarantine was intrigued.

“Welcome to Hong Kong. What brings you here?” the driver asked.

“I’m working on a project to bring the Regent back to Hong Kong,” Chertouh explained.

“Regent? That’s the epitome of luxury!” exclaimed the excited taxi driver, who then shared numerous stories about the legendary hotel and its lasting impact on modern Hong Kong.

Chertouh is now the managing director of the revived Regent Hong Kong, which has recently opened its doors to guests. He's been hearing many stories like these, all reflecting the high expectations for the revamped version of this legendary city hotel.

“It’s incredible,” Chertouh, who brings over three decades of experience in the industry, shares with Dinogo Travel.

“The stories and feedback like these show me how everyone feels a personal connection to Regent. I've managed numerous hotels worldwide, and while many have impressive buildings, few have real character. That’s the defining difference between Regent Hong Kong and many other hotels.”

Five-star bathrooms and breathtaking views

While Regent may not be the oldest luxury hotel in Hong Kong – with the Peninsula, operating since 1928, and the Mandarin Oriental, since 1963 – it holds a special, cherished spot in the hearts of locals.

Originally opened in Hong Kong in 1981, Regent Hong Kong was owned by the local New World Development Company and managed by Regent International Hotels. It was part of the ambitious New World Centre complex, which became the city's top destination for retail, entertainment, residential living, and hospitality.

Though it wasn’t the first Regent Hotel, this particular property was designed to become the brand’s flagship location.

With a vision to make it the best hotel in the world, Robert Burns, co-founder of Regent, developed a list of groundbreaking ideas for the hotel’s design and operation.

One of the standout features was the five-fixture bathroom.

Each bathroom in the hotel rooms was equipped with two sinks, a bathtub, a separate shower, and a toilet. It set a new standard for luxury hotels around the world, which previously mostly had three-fixture bathrooms (a toilet, a sink, and a bathtub/shower).

Thanks to innovations like these, along with stunning views over Victoria Harbour and the city’s grandest ballroom, Regent Hong Kong quickly became the talk of the town.

“At that time, Regent was the only hotel with such a vast ballroom,” recalls Chertouh.

“It hosted all the major events – celebrity parties, corporate galas, weddings, anniversaries. And when guests had children, they would come back for family celebrations. That’s where the deep connection between Hong Kong and this hotel originates – because everyone in the community has so many personal memories here.”

Over the years, the Hong Kong hotel earned numerous “world’s best” accolades.

In 2001, the local owner New World Development sold the property to Bass Hotels and Resorts. It was rebranded under new management as InterContinental Hong Kong.

Meanwhile, Regent Hotels & Resorts faced its own challenges, changing hands multiple times over the years.

It wasn’t until 2018 that the InterContinental Hotels Group acquired a majority stake in Regent Hotels & Resorts, sparking plans to bring the beloved hotel brand back to the city.

The InterContinental Hong Kong ceased operations in 2020 for a full transformation, leading to the grand return of Regent Hong Kong, which reopened this month.

A sanctuary of serenity

The redesign of Regent Hong Kong was led by Chi Wing Lo, a Hong Kong-born multidisciplinary architect and designer renowned for his luxury Italian-made furniture collection. Although the Regent project was Lo’s first venture into hotel design, he shares a personal connection with the brand.

In 1981, the same year Regent Hong Kong opened, Lo left Hong Kong to study architecture at the University of Toronto and Harvard University. He has since called Athens home for over three decades.

He remembers taking a daily ferry across Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour in the 1970s, witnessing the hotel’s construction from the water.

“I heard there was a magnificent hotel being built,” recalls Lo, seated by the window in the Regent Hong Kong’s newly designed duplex Presidential Suite.

“I never imagined that 40-something years later, I would return to redesign the Regent. It feels like fate, something I can hardly believe,” he reflects.

The redesigned Regent Hong Kong is a reflection of Lo’s philosophy on luxury.

“True craftsmanship should be noticed, but never demand attention,” he explains. “I believe in subtlety and tranquility in my work. To me, this embodies the essence of timeless Chinese design.”

Rather than adhering to the bold color palette of gold, red, and royal blue that defined the original Regent – though these shades appear in small doses – the new design embraces tranquility, with more subdued tones and natural materials.

Upon entering the hotel, guests first pass by the classic Feng Shui fountain before walking through wooden double doors adorned with decorative round studs, designed to evoke the feeling of an ancient Chinese palace gateway.

“We conceptualized this castle-inspired design to help guests find their own sense of peace. I believe that finding quiet is the best remedy for stress,” says Lo.

As the heavy doors close behind them, visitors are transported into a softly lit lobby, where reimagined “chandeliers” resemble brick walls. These unique fixtures are crafted from liu li glass, a traditional Chinese glassmaking technique that creates glass blocks through molding and casting.

Beyond the mood-setting lobby lies the spacious, light-filled Lobby Lounge and the Harbourside restaurant.

And don’t worry, the iconic floor-to-ceiling windows in this corner – long known as one of the best spots to take in views of the city’s famous harbor – remain unchanged.

And some of the staff have returned as well.

Joyce Lai began her journey at the Hong Kong Regent in 1993 as a junior waitress at the Harbourside restaurant.

“Regent has always been seen as an elegant, prestigious, and glamorous hotel – a popular gathering spot for both local and international VIPs,” she shares with Dinogo Travel.

“Local celebrities and movie stars would often choose Harbourside as their go-to ‘coffee shop.’ I even had the honor of serving US President George Bush (Sr) breakfast when he stayed at Regent Hong Kong,” she recalls.

Over the years, Lai has held various positions across the hotel, and today she serves as the service center manager, leading the team that handles all guest inquiries.

Each year, Lai would bring her young children to the hotel’s employee Christmas Party. On one occasion, her son modeled for a festive photoshoot during the hotel’s gingerbread-making class.

“I still have those photos… After all these years, this place has become my home. My children consider it their second home, having spent so much time here,” Lai says with a smile.

The newly reimagined Regent Hong Kong

Many signature features from the original Regent Hong Kong are still present, including the iconic marble staircase – a must-have photo spot for partygoers – while Lo has designed new pieces inspired by the hotel’s past, such as an impressive folding screen artwork displayed in the lobby.

The revamped Regent Hong Kong offers 497 guest rooms, including 129 luxurious suites. Its Presidential Suite, which comes with a private terrace and an infinity pool overlooking the harbor, is among the largest in the city.

The property features six dining and drinking options, including the iconic Harbourside restaurant and the elegant Lobby Lounge.

The two-Michelin-starred Cantonese restaurant Yan Toh Heen has now returned to its original name, Lai Ching Heen. Fortunately, the opulent jade table settings and the delicate dim sum remain as exquisite as ever.

Nobu, the renowned restaurant by celebrity chef Nobu Matsuhisa, and the Steak House are two more standout dining spots at the Regent, perfect for food lovers in the city.

In addition, a new bar and cigar lounge named Qura is set to open at the Regent in the near future.

Redefining luxury

Ahead of the grand reopening, Chertouh and Lo are carefully inspecting the rooms and perfecting the finer details throughout the hotel.

"The tree is missing from this window," Lo remarks while inspecting one of the rooms, referring to the Stone Garden – a metal sculpture outside each of the harbor-facing rooms, intended to create a sense of connection between guests and the city.

Much like the visionaries before them, the duo aspires to once again reshape what luxury hospitality truly means in Hong Kong.

A fundamental element of their "new luxury" philosophy is a focus on the smallest details – from design to service – with an emphasis on subtlety.

For example, many of the chairs at Regent Hong Kong are intentionally designed to be a few centimeters lower than typical, creating a sense of openness in the rooms. They're also swivel chairs, enabling guests to smoothly slide into their seats and enjoy the view without having to reposition them.

The fruit bowls, though traditional, are minimalistic, containing only grapes. Welcome pastries are designed to be small enough to enjoy in just two bites, so guests never need to cut or prepare anything themselves.

The new soaking tub, designed by Lo, offers a unique bathing experience, enveloping the user in an unconventional way.

Beds are arranged more casually, allowing guests to avoid the discomfort of tightly tucked sheets and blankets, making it easier to settle in.

"Just like Chi Wing's design philosophy, less is more in today's world. Simplicity has become the luxury that everyone craves, especially with the constant influx of stimulation," says Chertouh.

"True luxury is the ability to unwind without being bombarded by excessive service. We honor our legacy, but we're not bound by it. We're embracing the future of hospitality, both for today and tomorrow," he adds.