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

The rooms are minimalist, with most views

Loads of builders are constructing resorts the place the rooms are largely meant only for sleeping and showering. The Regent Hong Kong staff didn’t go this path and as an alternative created visitor rooms and suites which might be locations unto themselves — as in, I most likely want to return to Hong Kong and keep some place else to really see town, because it was exhausting to tear myself away from the daybed or soaking tub with these unbelievable metropolis and Victoria Harbour views.

Following check-in, an attendant guided me as much as the 15^th ground to my King Traditional 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 present every visitor a sense of coming into their very own “private haven,” to make use of Regent’s model lingo. In observe, 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 grievance concerning the lodge 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 friends complaining about, too. The lighting glitches additionally continued at occasions 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 pc.

As soon as inside, the design may be minimalist, however the skyline views exterior are the eye-catching showstopper. Sheer window shades, in addition to opaque ones, rose robotically upon my entrance to indicate off Hong Kong’s skyscrapers throughout the harbor. The daybed beneath the image window was a considerate contact and an excellent spot to work with a view. The one unhealthy half right here was that the compelling view made it exhausting to step again and do anything within the room — not precisely a nasty downside to have from an aesthetic viewpoint.

The king-size mattress was snug, and the nightstands featured electrical panels on both facet of the mattress with retailers (remember 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 protected, a minibar (which is complimentary — together with choose alcoholic drinks like pre-mixed martinis and native beer — and restocked each day, per Regent model requirements), a tea kettle and a Nespresso machine.

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

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

Chi Wing Lo notably averted handles in visitor rooms, save for toilet doorways, as he did not like how a visitor might 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 typical lodge room (one covertly matches into the facet of the minibar cupboard).

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

The bathtub featured a barely elevated seat to present 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 needs to waste tub time catching up on “The Crown” when you’ll be able to chill with a glass of Champagne and soak within the splendor, each of the lodge 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 friends might have forgotten — a dental package, 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 inexpensive quantity of house to hold garments and stow baggage.

Way over “simply” a lodge restaurant

As the unique Regent Hong Kong and its ensuing incarnation as an InterContinental, the lodge 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 keep up that legacy with a group of high-end eating places.

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

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

Lai Ching Heen, the lodge’s two Michelin-starred Cantonese restaurant, is extra of a revival than a really new idea. Lai Ching interprets to “Regent” in Cantonese and was the unique identify for the house, however the restaurant modified names in the course of 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, rooster 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 among 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 degree under the foyer as Harbourside and Lai Ching Heen. The house appears to lean extra towards romance than its sister eating places, because of 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 might be fed chocolate M&M’s and gummy bears to present 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 ground of the lodge, whereas Qura is simply off the primary foyer close to the staircase that heads downstairs to Harbourside.

The Regent Membership, the lodge’s non-public lounge, is accessible to friends who’re staying in rooms with Regent Membership entry. The membership is on the lodge’s second ground 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 number 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 facet 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 among 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 intensive vary of cardio gear, free weights and power 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 right match for the resort lover searching for that “city oasis” vibe in the course of town. Some would possibly sneer at metropolis resorts for not offering the very best R&R, however when you depart right here not feeling rejuvenated, it may 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 relatively 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 “lodge eating places.” Even the buffet at Harbourside seemed to be attracting as many native residents as lodge friends all through the day.

Why the Regent Hong Kong won’t be for you

• Regent Hong Kong is fairly well-connected to the remainder of town because of its perch instantly 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 sort of subway commute to wherever you are seeking to go.
• Whereas some would possibly crave consideration and doting employees, others won’t. For those who simply wish to verify in and never must work together with employees for the remainder of your keep, Regent Hong Kong won’t be the place for you.
• For those who’re not as a lot into minimalist room decor and searching for one thing extra grandiose, there are different Hong Kong resorts which may win you over extra.

Accessibility

Regent Hong Kong options accessible visitor rooms and suites, and every ground of the property is accessible. There’s a lavatory button emergency system in addition to seize bars, tall bathrooms and satisfactory maneuvering house in accessible visitor rooms and suites.

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

Alternate options