What it’s like staying at Regent Hong Kong, IHG’s shiny new ultra-luxury resort darling

What’s the Regent Hong Kong?

The way to ebook a keep on the Regent Hong Kong

My keep was complimentary amid the Regent Hong Kong grand opening festivities, however the easiest way to ebook a keep on the resort is immediately by way of the IHG web site with the intention to earn and redeem IHG One Rewards factors.

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The situation

Regent Hong Kong’s tony stretch of Victoria Harbour is within the neighborhood of different deluxe lodges like Rosewood Hong Kong and the Peninsula Hong Kong. Put together to buy ’til you drop subsequent door on the K11 Musea shopping center (dwelling to manufacturers like Alexander McQueen and Chanel) or catch an exhibit on the close by Hong Kong Museum of Artwork.

You will additionally discover a host of outlets, cafes and eating places within the surrounding neighborhood, and the Avenue of Stars in entrance of the resort is a well-liked waterfront strolling and working path.

Hong Kong’s well-known Star Ferry Pier is a five-minute stroll from Regent Hong Kong, and you will even have quick access to the town’s Mass Transit Railway subway community: East Tsim Sha Tsui station is on the entrance of the resort’s driveway. It is a couple of half-hour to get from the resort to the Victoria Peak tram station by way of the Tsuen Wan Line on the MTR.

Trendy luxurious for a grande dame

Regent Hong Kong 1.0 was peak Eighties glamor and even featured in an episode of “Dynasty.” Nevertheless, the shoulder pads and cleaning soap opera theatrics have been proven the door amid its reincarnation right into a extra fashionable, refined Regent Hong Kong 2.0.

There are nonetheless loads of spots to have a grand second at Regent Hong Kong (look to the sweeping, marble “Fred and Ginger” staircase off the foyer in your dramatic photograph op), however Chi Wing Lo’s imaginative and prescient additionally created extra refined statements of class. Slightly than place a large chandelier within the foyer like many luxurious lodges, the designer opted for 16 illuminated glass panels meant to evoke an analogous refined atmosphere, however at eye stage.

Regent’s “Great thing about Contrasts” aesthetic performs out in areas all through the resort: Black African granite flooring play off cream carpeting and blonde wooden. The granite flooring of the foyer characteristic inlay lighting meant to represent Chi Wing Lo’s “granite carpet,” in accordance with the Regent Hong Kong crew throughout a resort tour.

Screened partitions in visitor rooms upstairs supply privateness whereas additionally letting within the solar. Image home windows all through the resort invite company to view the skyline from quite a lot of vantage factors. Nevertheless, you can also’t assist however really feel just a little secluded from the bustle of the metropolis due to the intimacy of personal seating areas all through the foyer and within the second-floor Regent Membership, or from the bath of a visitor room or suite.

It is a well-tailored type of place, right down to the employees’s uniforms of sharp fits and glossy clothes, which make it typically complicated at first to determine who’s a modern visitor and who really works right here. The guests are a mixture of jetsetters and well-heeled locals, however the heat of the employees’s hospitality retains the resort from feeling snooty or uninviting.

The rooms are minimalist, with most views

Loads of builders are constructing lodges the place the rooms are largely meant only for sleeping and showering. The Regent Hong Kong crew didn’t go this course and as an alternative created visitor rooms and suites which are locations unto themselves — as in, I in all probability want to return to Hong Kong and keep someplace else to actually see the town, because it was laborious to tear myself away from the daybed or soaking tub with these unimaginable metropolis and Victoria Harbour views.

Following check-in, an attendant guided me as much as the 15^th flooring to my King Basic Harbour View room. The minimalist design featured a mixture of numerous wooden grains and stone in addition to a large picket door to every visitor room with a middle door knob — meant to offer every visitor a sense of getting into their very own “private haven,” to make use of Regent’s model lingo. In apply, it did give a pleasant bodily mark of feeling like I used to be entering into my very own little sanctuary within the metropolis.

My solely actual criticism in regards to the resort is that it typically took a little bit of maneuvering to get the keycard to unlock the room by way of a glitchy panel within the hallway — one thing I heard different company complaining about, too. The lighting glitches additionally continued at instances within the room, because the room would go darkish and the shades would come down once I was studying or doing work. Maybe I do not wriggle sufficient when clacking away at my laptop.

As soon as inside, the design is likely to be minimalist, however the skyline views exterior are the eye-catching showstopper. Sheer window shades, in addition to opaque ones, rose routinely upon my entrance to point out off Hong Kong’s skyscrapers throughout the harbor. The daybed below the image window was a considerate contact and an excellent spot to work with a view. The one dangerous half right here was that the compelling view made it laborious to step again and do the rest within the room — not precisely a foul drawback to have from an aesthetic standpoint.

The king-size mattress was comfy, and the nightstands featured electrical panels on both aspect of the mattress with shops (do not forget to pack your converter) in addition to USB-A and USB-C ports. Window shade and lightweight switches have been additionally on the nightstand management panels. A cupboard throughout from the mattress included a secure, a minibar (which is complimentary — together with choose alcoholic drinks like pre-mixed martinis and native beer — and restocked every day, per Regent model requirements), a tea kettle and a Nespresso machine.

Regent’s “With Compliments” model customary generosity prolonged to night turndown service, which included leaving quite a lot of Perricone MD skincare merchandise like moisturizer and face serum every night time of my keep. Visitors are additionally handled to complimentary laundry service of three items of clothes for every night time of their keep.

A sensible TV showcased a large providing of worldwide channels and streaming capabilities from one’s private gadget.

Chi Wing Lo notably prevented handles in visitor rooms, save for lavatory doorways, as he did not like how a visitor may get caught on a deal with or run into them. He additionally did not just like the aesthetic of rubbish cans protruding from beneath furnishings, so that they’re extra tucked away than within the ordinary resort room (one covertly matches into the aspect of the minibar cupboard).

The room technically featured an open-concept rest room proper off the doorway with a soaking tub and walk-in bathe, however privateness was obtainable due to sliding screens that blocked off the toilet from the bed room. Different visitor rooms and suites I toured featured screens that could possibly be opaque or clear with the flick of a change from the bath.

The bathtub featured a barely elevated seat to offer the occupant most viewing potential whereas soaking, and a picket ledge offered a resting nook to park one’s iPhone or iPad. However who actually desires to waste tub time catching up on “The Crown” when you possibly can sit back with a glass of Champagne and soak within the splendor, each of the resort and of Hong Kong past?

Regent Hong Kong shares Perricone MD tub facilities and supplies tub salts for soaking time. A drawer within the vainness included a hefty mixture of necessities company might have forgotten — a dental equipment, shaving supplies or perhaps a comb. Plush robes and huge tub towels have been in considerable provide, and a closet within the entry corridor supplied an affordable quantity of area to hold garments and stow baggage.

Excess of “simply” a resort restaurant

As the unique Regent Hong Kong and its ensuing incarnation as an InterContinental, the resort was a eating vacation spot, even in a metropolis with a nebula of Michelin-starred eating places. The brand new Regent Hong Kong clearly appears to be like to take care of that legacy with a group of high-end eating places.

Harbourside, the resort’s buffet, is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and options a mixture of Asian and Western delicacies. I caught to breakfast and loved hen congee, dumplings and numerous noodle dishes every morning — however the omelets, waffles and baked items seemed delicious, too. Lunchtime objects included a formidable array of recent seafood once I toured one afternoon.

Service was attentive and included frequent refills of water, juice and iced Americanos (Regent Hong Kong is the type of place the place in addition they knew my drink order after just one go to to Harbourside).

Lai Ching Heen, the resort’s two Michelin-starred Cantonese restaurant, is extra of a revival than a very new idea. Lai Ching interprets to “Regent” in Cantonese and was the unique identify for the area, however the restaurant modified names through the InterContinental period.

Together with its views of Victoria Harbour, Lai Ching Heen options an precise jade hall virtually begging for an Instagram photograph shoot or two to occur both en path to or out of your desk. You will discover dishes like steamed seafood dumplings in soup with bamboo piths (198 Hong Kong {dollars}, or $25) and fried rice with roasted duck, hen and crab in a lotus leaf (HK$120, or $15). Wok-fried Kagoshima Wagyu with hon-shimeji mushrooms and garlic (HK$880 {dollars}, or $113) would possibly steal a few of the thunder from Lai Ching Heen’s neighboring steak restaurant.

The Steak Home, Regent Hong Kong’s upscale hub of carnivorous delicacies, is tucked in a nook on the identical stage beneath the foyer as Harbourside and Lai Ching Heen. The area appears to lean extra towards romance than its sister eating places, due to its smaller eating room and extra intimate seating.

The Steak Home is understood for its elaborate salad bar with charcuterie, crudites and greens to kick off the meal. However the marquee dish right here is probably going the Australian Mayura beef from cows which are fed chocolate M&M’s and gummy bears to offer these cuts a signature mixture of fats, taste and texture — a 12-ounce striploin goes for HK$1,200 ($154).

An outpost of Nobu and Qura, a tucked-away cocktail and cigar lounge, appeared prepared for showtime however weren’t but open on the time of my tour. Nobu is on the second flooring of the resort, whereas Qura is simply off the primary foyer close to the staircase that heads downstairs to Harbourside.

The Regent Membership, the resort’s non-public lounge, is accessible to company who’re staying in rooms with Regent Membership entry. The membership is on the resort’s second flooring and is open all day, with designated hours for breakfast, afternoon tea and night cocktails.

Whereas the unfold is not as in depth as Harbourside, breakfast within the Regent Membership is a pleasant, quieter retreat for a cup of tea and a tasteful choice of charcuterie, baked items and different treats to get the day began.

The pool has the most effective views in Hong Kong

It was on the windier aspect any time I had a free second, so I sadly did not get to splash round the primary pool or the infinity pool overlooking Victoria Harbour. Nevertheless, these are spectacular spots to get some solar within the coronary heart of one in all Asia’s most fast-paced cities.

The Pool Terrace additionally options daybeds, with attendants available for snack and beverage orders. Simply inside, you will discover a health heart with an in depth vary of cardio gear, free weights and energy coaching machines.

A spa wasn’t open on the time of my keep, however one is slated to open early subsequent 12 months.

Why the Regent Hong Kong will likely be best for you

• Regent Hong Kong is the proper match for the resort lover searching for that “city oasis” vibe in the midst of the town. Some would possibly sneer at metropolis lodges for not offering the most effective R&R, however in the event you depart right here not feeling rejuvenated, it is likely to be your individual fault.
• These wanting extremely attentive, hands-on service will love Regent Hong Kong’s employees. They seem to be a useful bunch who appear to anticipate a visitor’s wants and needs reasonably than ready round to be requested.
• The eating and bar scene at Regent Hong Kong units a excessive bar for wherever within the metropolis. Do not insult these venues by merely labeling them “resort eating places.” Even the buffet at Harbourside gave the impression to be attracting as many native residents as resort company all through the day.

Why the Regent Hong Kong may not be for you

• Regent Hong Kong is fairly well-connected to the remainder of the town due to its perch immediately above an MTR station. Nevertheless, you would possibly wish to look elsewhere if you wish to be on Hong Kong Island and never have to fret about any type of subway commute to wherever you are seeking to go.
• Whereas some would possibly crave consideration and doting employees, others may not. When you simply wish to examine in and never must work together with employees for the remainder of your keep, Regent Hong Kong may not be the place for you.
• When you’re not as a lot into minimalist room decor and searching for one thing extra grandiose, there are different Hong Kong lodges which may win you over extra.

Accessibility

Regent Hong Kong options accessible visitor rooms and suites, and every flooring of the property is accessible. There’s a rest room button emergency system in addition to seize bars, tall bogs and enough maneuvering area in accessible visitor rooms and suites.

Public areas embody wheelchair-accessible entrances, accessible public restrooms and accessible restaurant seating. The resort additionally has wheelchairs obtainable to be used.

Options

Trying out

I have been curious in regards to the return of Regent Hong Kong for nearly so long as I have been a resort reporter. Its opening represents each a step ahead for the model and a homecoming of types for Hong Kong’s luxurious resort scene.