In November 2023, I checked into the Studio Suite (Harbourview) at Regent Hong Kong. Set along the Victoria Harbour waterfront in Kowloon’s Tsim Sha Tsui district, the 497-room hotel offers direct access to K11 Musea at Victoria Dockside and is close to the popular Avenue of Stars as well as MTR stations East Tsim Sha Tsui and Tsim Sha Tsui. In addition, popular shopping destination Harbour City is just a short walk away. Getting to Hong Kong’s Chek Lap Kok International Airport will take approximately 30 minutes by car or, should you want a more cost-friendly route, a 40-minute journey if you travel on the Airport Express Train to Kowloon MTR Station and then take a taxi from there.
The hotel was originally a Regent hotel when it first opened its doors in 1981 before its eventual rebrand as the InterContinental Hong Kong in 2001. The property remained as an InterContinental hotel until 2020, after which the property underwent an extensive US$300 million renovation and relaunched once again, 40 years later, as a Regent property in 2023. The hotel is the Regent brand’s flagship property – other Regent hotels in Asia include Regent Taipei, Regent Phu Quoc and Regent Shanghai (as well as the former Regent Singapore, which has since been reflagged as Conrad Singapore Orchard).
Notable former guests include Richard Nixon, Robert De Niro, Elizabeth Taylor, Brad Pitt and Tom Jones, while the property has also been featured in Jay Chou and Ayumi Hamasaki music videos as well as US soap opera Dynasty and mini-series Noble House.
Nearby hotels include Rosewood Hong Kong, The Langham, Hong Kong as well as the upcoming Mondrian Hong Kong.
The UTW (“Under Ten Words”): The spectacular rebirth of a legendary Hong Kong hotel.
The must-dos (if any): Book a room with club access and try all three food presentations at the Regent Club; enjoy the spectacular harbour views from your room or the restaurants; have lunch at the two-Michelin star Lai Ching Heen; use the whirlpools at the outdoor terrace overlooking the Avenue of Stars.
REGENT HONG KONG
Led by Hong Kong-born architect and interior designer Chi Wing Lo, who draws design inspirations from Beijing’s Forbidden City, the reimagining of Regent Hong Kong is all about celebrating its storied legacy. The guest arrival experience is an attraction by itself – past the hotel’s original fengshui fountain in the driveway, the 18 gleaming gold domes above the port cochère as well as the Chinese palace-inspired grand doors, guests enter a posh black marble lobby and are greeted with 16 glowing glass brick vertical screens which direct their eyes towards the impressive triple-height windows at the far end overlooking the shimmering waters of Victoria Harbour towards Hong Kong Island. These glorious views are enjoyed from The Lobby Lounge on the lobby level and, down a spiral staircase, dining concepts Harbourside, Lai Ching Heen and The Steak House on the ground level.
On the left of the hotel entrance, a 15-metre-long digital art piece by local artist Hung Keung stands behind the reception counter; on the right, the “Spirit of Regent Retrospective” montage on the wall – a custom screen-like art installation created using works from the hotel’s original art collection – pays tribute to the hotel’s illustrious past.
Some of the most visually striking areas of the hotel are the lift lobbies – dark, cove-lit affairs with stone textures and round artworks on the wall. Reflective surfaces on the ceiling and wall panels project and multiply the artwork in a manner which gives the space a sleek, futuristic feel.
In terms of wellness, the hotel has a fitness centre fitted with Technogym equipment as well as an outdoor swimming pool with plenty of sun loungers set within a sprawling outdoor terrace on the third level. Not to be missed are the hot and cold whirlpools at the far end of the terrace which overlook the Avenue of Stars and Victoria Harbour beyond – the separation between heaven and earth has seldom been so narrow.
STUDIO SUITE
The 54sqm Studio Suite is quite a sight to behold. Decked in woody textures and neutral, earthy tones, the suite offers a wide window showcasing framed views of Victoria Harbour and Hong Kong, with a view-facing bed and a long banquette lining the window for guests to cosy up as close as possible to the incredible vistas. On the outer windowsill stands a bronze bonsai tree as well as miniature “stone gardens” with maze-like features, a Chi Wing Lo touch which adds texture and depth to your postcard views.
The pantry has Nespresso coffee and Teacha tea-making facilities, while the minibar is well-stocked with an assortment of beverages, including wines and N.V. Duval-Leroy Reserve Brut Champagne. I was tempted by – but ultimately resisted – the 500ml Negroni and Sakura Martinis, bottled specially for the hotel.
The luxurious “Oasis Bathroom” comprises two distinct parts – a dry area with double vanities made from Calacatta marble and fitted with a Dyson hairdryer; and a wet area with an oversized rainfall shower space as well as a free-standing bathtub. Bathroom amenities are courtesy of luxury skincate brand Perricone MD.
One of the suite’s most striking and memorable features is its open-concept layout – save for the toilet which is located in the innermost part of the bathroom, there are no doors or panels which separate the various parts of the suite. Yes, even the shower area. Interestingly, a floor-to-ceiling mirror is strategically placed at the entrance of the shower such that you can wave to your roommate(‘s reflection) when you are under the rainshower and he or she is standing next to the bed at the furthest end of the suite. It’s the ultimate form of intimacy.
DINING
Breakfast is served at Harbourside, the international buffet concept located on the ground level. Aside from the usual cold cuts, salads and cheese, the buffet showcases various Asian dishes such as Steamed Chicken With Cordyceps And Black Fungus, Pan Fried Turnip Cake With XO Sauce, Pan Fried Salmon With Teriyaki Sauce, Dried Tangerine Peel Plant-Based Beef Shu Mai and something intriguing called Singapore Stir-Fried Rice Roll With Seafood (which I did not recognise). At the noodle station, a hearty Hong Kong Style Satay Beef Noodles was served.
The two-Michelin star Lai Ching Heen (formerly known as Yan Toh Heen during the property’s InterContinental era) is also located on the ground level. Decked in shades of elegant jade and helmed by the same executive chef, Lau Yiu-fai, since its opening in 1984, the Chinese fine-dining restaurant is often lauded as one of the best Chinese restaurants in the world. While the Lai Ching Heen Superior Dumplings (comprising Steamed Lobster Dumpling with Homemade XO Chili Sauce, Steamed French Obsiblue Prawn Dumpling with Duck Liver and Steamed Scallop Dumpling with Caviar) sounded much sexier on paper than what was ultimately tasted, the Barbecued Pork with Honey was the kind of fantasy mouthfeel meat that great poems should be written about, and the Wok-seared Chilean Sea Bass with Fig Sauce weaved in teases of Sichuan peppercorn in a manner that was restrained, surprising and pleasing. The showstopper from the meal was the Barbecued Fillet of Freshwater Eel with Osmanthus Honey Sauce, which possessed an unexpected texture – it’s roasty, crisp, meaty, tender all at once – and made me rethink the entire definition and possibilities of eel.
Located on the second level, Nobu Hong Kong showcases modern Japanese cuisine with Peruvian influences. The return of Nobu Hong Kong in November 2023 marks the brand’s latest openings in Asia (Nobu Singapore was one of the more recent regional launches). The world-renowned restaurant’s signature classics such as Black Cod with Miso and Yellowtail Jalapeño make their due appearances, although guests can nosh on bites such as Yellowtail and Jalapeno Sushi Maki and Shishito Peppers Den Miso paired with tipples such as Oni Negroni (Hendricks Gin, Hokusetsu Sake, Mancino Rosso Vermouth, Aperol) and Matsuhisa Martini (Wa Craft Vodka, Hokusetsu Junmai Sake, Ginger, Japanese Cucumber) if they simply wish to soak in the sophisticated, sexy vibes and enjoy the gorgeous nighttime harbour views.
Rounding up the dining concepts are the hotel’s legendary afternoon tea destination The Lobby Lounge and the soon-to-be-launched cocktail bar Qura on the lobby level as well as The Steak House on the ground level.
REGENT CLUB
Located on the second floor and beyond a dramatic moongate entrance, the exclusive Regent Club offers daily breakfast, afternoon tea and evening cocktail presentations. Overlooking the busy Lobby Lounge below as well as the beautiful Victoria Harbour, the expansive Regent Club offers different seating zones, each with their own distinct appeal – window-side tables offer the best harbour views; a recessed area with plush teal walls and a reflective glittering ceiling is perfect for Instagrammable afternoon tea sessions; and sofa seats tucked away at the far end of the club offer the most privacy for your tipples over heart-to-hearts in the evening.
Breakfast is served semi buffet-style with an a la carte menu offering dishes such as Onsen Tamago (poached egg, potato coulis), Chinese Set (shrimp dumpling, siu mai, plant-based beef siu mai, pan-fried white turnip cake, steamed rice flour roll, seafood congee), Japanese Set (tuna tataki, grilled fish, fried seafood, steamed Japanese rice, furikake, pickled vegetables, miso soup), French Toast (honeycomb, banana) and daily specials such as Abalone Slice and Ham with Macaroni in Chicken Broth.
Afternoon tea is an indulgent affair, with the buffet selection being more impressive than the tiered sets offered at many lobby lounges – think Portuguese Egg Tart; Madeleine; Iberico Ham, Tomato and Black Olive Sandwich; Smoked Salmon and Ikura Sandwich; Ricotta Cheese Walnuts & Black Truffle Sandwich; Blue Crab & Crab Roe Sandwich; Espresso Walnut Cake; Strawberry Rhubarb Tart; English Scones as well as an extensive array of chocolates and macarons. The Regent Club prides itself for bringing together elements from the hotel’s different restaurant kitchens, and an outstanding example of this is that the club offers unlimited pours of the Sparkling Golden Oolong with Longan Honey, a sparkling tea bottled specially for the hotel in collaboration with homegrown brand Mindful Sparks which is available at a fairly premium price at Lai Ching Heen.
I was most excited for the evening cocktail presentation, and my admittedly high expectations were truly exceeded. Aside from the hyped Signature Aged Negroni (which delivered), the cocktail menu offers different classic cocktails such as Dry Martini, Old Fashioned and G&Ts using premium gins such as Citadelle and Widges. What was particularly impressive was that the bartender was actually able to prepare various off-menu tipples such as Espresso Martini, Manhattan and a delicious Negroni Sour, all involving the kind of quality, glassware, garnish and ice you’d expect from a proper cocktail bar. There was simply no need to hit any of the popular bars (so many of them in Hong Kong) after club hour when you’ve got libations like these.
For those who prefer their grapes over cocktails, the lounge serves N.V. Duval-Leroy Reserve Brut Champagne and various reds and whites, including a superb Torbreck Old Vines Grenache – Shiraz – Mourvedre 2019. The canape buffet consists of dishes such as Mushroom & Cheese Chicken Wing, Beef Satay, Deep Fried Chicken Wing, Seafood Taco, Foie Gras Terrine, Miso Eggplant and Cucumber, Chinese Drunken Chicken, Serrano Ham with Lemon Melon Tartlet, Scallop Ikura in Lemon Cream, Japanese Tofu with Sesame Dressing, Champagne Jelly, Strawberry Vanilla Cakes, Matcha Puffs and Lemon Meringue Tart. Yes, you probably won’t need dinner either.
CONCLUSION
The Regent Hong Kong is a statement property and it is evident when you dine at the restaurants or stay as a guest. While I am not entirely sure Hong Kong is ready for such progressively-designed rooms as mine (I understand most room categories have open layouts, although many are decidedly more appropriate for the prim and chaste), there is much to recommend about this Hong Kong icon, especially the superlative Victoria Harbour views and club lounge experience. Not since Rosewood Hong Kong have I been so absolutely astounded and pampered by a club’s offerings.
One for the bucket list, and you absolutely must have Regent Club access.
Regent Hong Kong
18 Salisbury Road
Kowloon, Hong Kong
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