Regent Hong Kong
Corporate brand
UnclaimedA landmark five-star waterfront hotel in Hong Kong that opened as The Regent Hong Kong, operated for two decades as InterContinental Hong Kong, and returned to the Regent brand in 2023.
Last updated August 31, 2026
Overview
Regent Hong Kong is a luxury hotel at 18 Salisbury Road on the Kowloon waterfront, facing Victoria Harbour and the Hong Kong Island skyline. The property opened in 1980 as The Regent Hong Kong and became the flagship hotel of Regent International Hotels, the hospitality company established by hotelier Robert H. Burns and Tokyu Hotels Group. Its location, harbour views, architecture, restaurants and association with international visitors quickly made it one of Hong Kong's best-known luxury hotels. The hotel's identity changed substantially in 2001. New World Development sold the property to Bass Hotels and Resorts for US$346 million, and it was renamed InterContinental Hong Kong on 1 June of that year. Bass's successor, IHG Hotels & Resorts, continued to operate the hotel under the InterContinental flag. The transition also produced a management-contract dispute involving Four Seasons Hotels, which at that time owned the Regent Hotels business and held an interest in the property's management arrangements. The dispute was resolved in 2001. In 2015, IHG agreed to sell the hotel to Supreme Key Limited, an investor consortium, for US$938 million while retaining a long-term management agreement. In 2018, after IHG acquired a majority stake in Regent Hotels, the hotel was designated for a major renovation and conversion back to its original brand. InterContinental Hong Kong closed on 20 April 2020 for the approximately three-year transformation. The redesigned property was created by Hong Kong-born designer Chi Wing Lo and reopened as Regent Hong Kong on 8 November 2023, with Michel Chertouh serving as managing director during the relaunch. The hotel has 497 rooms and suites, many oriented toward Victoria Harbour. Its accommodation offering includes rooms, harbour-view suites and a Signature Suite Collection comprising the Presidential Suite, Terrace Suite and CEO Suite. The 7,000-square-foot duplex Presidential Suite includes a rooftop terrace and infinity pool; the 5,500-square-foot Terrace Suite is a duplex residential-style retreat; and the 4,200-square-foot two-bedroom CEO Suite includes a living area connected to a rooftop terrace. Regent Hong Kong also operates a collection of restaurants and bars, including Lai Ching Heen, the Cantonese restaurant formerly known as Yan Toh Heen; The Steak House; Harbourside; the Lobby Lounge; Nobu Hong Kong; and Qura Bar. Lai Ching Heen returned to its original name in 2022, while Nobu returned to the hotel in November 2023. Qura Bar opened in December 2023 with an emphasis on rare spirits, private dining and cigar service. The hotel offers a ballroom and ten additional event venues, supporting weddings, galas, corporate events and other large-scale functions. As a destination property, Regent Hong Kong competes through service, design, harbour-facing accommodation, premium dining and event capacity rather than through a broad geographic network of its own. It is a flagship asset within the Regent Hotels & Resorts portfolio and a prominent luxury and lifestyle property associated with IHG. In 2025, it received a Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star rating and appeared in several international travel-industry rankings and awards, reinforcing its position as one of Hong Kong's leading luxury hotels.
History
Regent Hong Kong opened in 1980 at 18 Salisbury Road on the Kowloon waterfront. It was developed by New World Development and managed by Regent International Hotels, the hotel group founded in 1970 by Robert H. Burns and Tokyu Hotels Group. The property served as the flagship of that group and became closely associated with Hong Kong's luxury-tourism image because of its direct Victoria Harbour setting, large public spaces and views toward the skyline. The Regent Hotels group was acquired by Four Seasons Hotels in 1992. The Hong Kong property's ownership and branding changed again in 2001, when New World sold it to Bass Hotels and Resorts for US$346 million. On 1 June 2001, it was renamed InterContinental Hong Kong. Bass Hotels and Resorts later became part of IHG, which continued to manage the property under its InterContinental brand. A dispute involving Four Seasons and New World concerned the hotel's management-contract arrangements and was settled in August 2001 after New World agreed to make an unspecified payment to Four Seasons. In July 2015, IHG agreed to sell InterContinental Hong Kong to Supreme Key Limited, an investor consortium, for US$938 million. IHG retained a 37-year management contract with three possible ten-year extensions. The ownership transaction separated the hotel's asset ownership from the continuing brand and management relationship with IHG. A further strategic change followed in 2018, when IHG acquired a majority stake in Regent Hotels. IHG announced that, after a comprehensive renovation, the Hong Kong property would return to the Regent name. InterContinental Hong Kong closed on 20 April 2020 to allow the conversion to proceed. The project lasted approximately three years and involved a substantial redesign by Hong Kong-born designer Chi Wing Lo. Guestrooms began reopening in stages from March 2023, followed by the property's official relaunch as Regent Hong Kong on 8 November 2023. Michel Chertouh led the reopening as managing director. The renovated hotel retained its waterfront location and 497-room scale while repositioning the property around contemporary residential design, views, restaurants and event spaces. The accommodation portfolio includes harbour-facing rooms and large suites, including the Presidential, Terrace and CEO suites unveiled as the Signature Suite Collection in June 2024. The Presidential Suite occupies approximately 7,000 square feet across two levels and includes a rooftop terrace with an infinity pool. The Terrace Suite and CEO Suite offer similarly expansive layouts, terraces and views. Dining has been an important part of the hotel's history and current identity. The Cantonese restaurant Yan Toh Heen resumed its original name, Lai Ching Heen, in December 2022. The hotel also opened or relaunched several venues around the conversion, including The Steak House, the Lobby Lounge and Harbourside. Nobu Hong Kong, which had first opened at the hotel in 2006 as the Nobu group's first Asian location outside Japan, returned in November 2023. Qura Bar followed in December 2023 with rare spirits, private dining and cigar-focused service. The property is also used for weddings, galas, conferences and other events. Its Regent Ballroom is supported by ten additional function venues, many with harbour views. Over its history, the hotel has hosted prominent political, royal and entertainment figures and has appeared in films, television productions and music videos. In 2025, its post-relaunch profile was strengthened by a Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star rating and multiple placements in international travel rankings.
- 2025
Receives major travel-industry recognition
[1]The hotel receives a Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star rating and appears in several international hotel rankings and awards.
- 2024
Signature Suite Collection is unveiled
[1]The hotel introduces its Presidential, Terrace and CEO suites as a collection of large residential-style accommodations.
- 2023
Regent Hong Kong officially reopens
[1]The renovated property celebrates its official opening on 8 November.
- 2020
Hotel closes for conversion
[1]InterContinental Hong Kong ends operations on 20 April to begin the multiyear renovation.
- 2018
Return to the Regent brand is announced
[1]After IHG takes a majority stake in Regent Hotels, the property is designated for renovation and conversion back to Regent.
- 2015
IHG sells the hotel to Supreme Key Limited
[1]The asset is sold to an investor consortium while IHG retains a long-term management agreement.
- 2001
Property is sold and renamed InterContinental Hong Kong
[1]New World sells the hotel to Bass Hotels and Resorts, and the property adopts the InterContinental name on 1 June.
- 1992
Regent Hotels is acquired by Four Seasons
[1]Four Seasons Hotels acquires the Regent Hotels group.
- 1980
The Regent Hong Kong opens
[1]The waterfront hotel opens in Tsim Sha Tsui as a flagship Regent property.
- 1970
Regent International Hotels is established
[1]Robert H. Burns and Tokyu Hotels Group establish Regent International Hotels, the group that later develops and manages the Hong Kong flagship.
Products and positioning
Waterfront ultra-luxury hospitality combining panoramic Victoria Harbour views, residential-style suites, destination dining, high-touch service and large-scale event facilities.
Hotel accommodation · 1980
Guestrooms and harbour-view rooms
The hotel's 497-room accommodation base is centered on views of Victoria Harbour and the Hong Kong skyline. Following the renovation, guestrooms were reopened in stages from March 2023, with contemporary interiors designed by Chi Wing Lo and a stronger emphasis on residential comfort, tailored service and the property's waterfront setting.
Luxury suites · 2024
Signature Suite Collection
Introduced in 2024, the collection comprises the Presidential Suite, Terrace Suite and CEO Suite. These large, private residences are designed for extended or highly exclusive stays and incorporate rooftop terraces with views toward Victoria Harbour and the Hong Kong skyline.
Cantonese restaurant · 1980
Lai Ching Heen
The hotel's Cantonese dining venue returned to its original name, Lai Ching Heen, in December 2022 after previously operating as Yan Toh Heen. It is a longstanding signature restaurant associated with refined Cantonese cuisine and the property's luxury-hotel dining identity.
Japanese restaurant · 2006
Nobu Hong Kong
Restaurant · 2022
Harbourside
Harbourside is one of the dining venues introduced around the hotel's return to the Regent brand. It forms part of the property's broad restaurant and all-day dining offer, complementing the harbour-facing public spaces and other signature venues.
Steakhouse · 2022
The Steak House
The Steak House is a core Western dining venue that opened before the completion of the guestroom relaunch. It contributes a premium grill-focused option to the hotel's multi-restaurant dining portfolio.
Bar and private dining · 2023
Qura Bar
Opened in December 2023, Qura Bar focuses on rare spirits and combines a bar with private dining and cigar facilities. It extends the hotel's beverage proposition beyond traditional lobby service into a more specialized evening experience.
Meetings and events · 1980
Events and Regent Ballroom
The property offers the pillarless Regent Ballroom and ten additional function venues. These spaces support weddings, galas, conferences and corporate gatherings, with several rooms benefiting from panoramic harbour views and the hotel's central Kowloon location.
Brand decisions
2024
Signature Suite Collection introducedProduct launchBackground
The relaunched hotel expanded its top-tier accommodation offering after the main reopening.
Action taken
The Presidential Suite, Terrace Suite and CEO Suite were presented as a dedicated Signature Suite Collection.
Aftermath
The collection strengthened the hotel's appeal to high-end leisure, diplomatic, celebratory and extended-stay guests.
2023
Official reopening as Regent Hong KongProduct launchBackground
The hotel completed its rebranding and renovation after closing as InterContinental Hong Kong in 2020.
Action taken
The property celebrated its official opening on 8 November 2023 and restored Nobu Hong Kong to its dining portfolio.
Aftermath
The relaunch re-established the hotel as a flagship Regent property within IHG's luxury and lifestyle portfolio.
2022
Dining venues open ahead of the full hotel relaunchProduct launchBackground
The renovated property began restoring its dining identity before all guestrooms were complete.
Action taken
The Steak House, Lobby Lounge and Harbourside opened in December 2022, and Yan Toh Heen resumed its historic name, Lai Ching Heen.
Aftermath
The venues established the food-and-beverage platform for the hotel's full return to Regent.
2020
Multiyear renovation and conversionGeneration changeBackground
The property required an extensive redesign to support its return to the Regent brand.
Action taken
InterContinental Hong Kong closed on 20 April 2020 for approximately three years of renovation and conversion.
Aftermath
Guestrooms reopened in stages from 2023, followed by the official Regent relaunch in November 2023.
2018
Strategic return to RegentStrategyBackground
IHG acquired a majority stake in Regent Hotels and identified the Hong Kong flagship as a candidate for brand restoration.
Action taken
IHG announced a major renovation and conversion from InterContinental Hong Kong back to Regent Hong Kong.
Aftermath
The hotel closed in 2020 and reopened under the Regent identity in 2023.
2015
Asset sale to Supreme Key LimitedM&ABackground
IHG separated ownership of the physical hotel asset from its continuing operating relationship.
Action taken
IHG sold the hotel to Supreme Key Limited, an investor consortium, while retaining a 37-year management contract and extension rights.
Aftermath
The property remained within IHG's managed luxury-hotel system despite the ownership change.
Sale price. US$938 million (2015)
2001
Sale and rebranding as InterContinental Hong KongM&ABackground
New World Development sold the Regent property to Bass Hotels and Resorts, while the Regent Hotels business was associated with Four Seasons.
Action taken
The hotel was sold for US$346 million and renamed InterContinental Hong Kong on 1 June 2001.
Aftermath
The property operated under the InterContinental brand for more than two decades before returning to Regent.
Sale price. US$346 million (2001)
Recent events
- 2025
Regent Hong Kong receives multiple 2025 travel accolades[1]
Other
The hotel received a Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star rating and was recognized in several Travel + Leisure, Virtuoso and Condé Nast Traveler rankings and awards.
- 2024
Regent Hong Kong expands its premium suite collection[1]
Product launch
The hotel introduced a Signature Suite Collection consisting of the Presidential Suite, Terrace Suite and CEO Suite, each designed as a large residential-style retreat.
- 2023
Regent Hong Kong relaunches after renovation[1]
Product launch · Leadership change
The property officially reopened as Regent Hong Kong on 8 November 2023, completing its return to the Regent brand.
- 2020
InterContinental Hong Kong closes for major conversion[1]
Other
The hotel ceased operations on 20 April 2020 to begin a multiyear renovation and rebranding project.
- 2018
IHG announces return of Hong Kong property to Regent brand[1]
Other
Following IHG's acquisition of a majority stake in Regent Hotels, the property was selected for renovation and conversion from InterContinental back to Regent Hong Kong.
- 2015
InterContinental Hong Kong sold to Supreme Key Limited consortium[1]
M&A
IHG agreed to sell the Hong Kong hotel to Supreme Key Limited for US$938 million while retaining a long-term management agreement with extension options.
Sources1 sources
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