Global update
RealIGnInG ReGent
Regent Hotels and Resorts — acquired by Taipei-based Formosa International Hotels Corp . from Carlson in 2010 — may have been slow to kick off expansion , but its new CEO Mark Lettenbichler is launching an aggressive campaign to go global .
Lettenbichler , who joined the luxury brand late last year after two decades with Ritz-Carlton , expects by 2020 to have 25 to 30 hotels in the portfolio .
Lettenbichler is eager to resurrect Regent ’ s stature in Asia Pacific , where the brand was conceived in the 1970s by Robert Burns — honorary chairman of the present Regent — Adrian Zecha and Georg Rafael . The company ’ s wish list includes the usual gateway cities of Tokyo , Seoul , Shanghai , Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur , with the addition of Kyoto , Vietnam and Australia .
To land a Hong Kong location , Lettenbichler says , would crown the company ’ s efforts . The former Regent Hong Kong had a spectacular harborfront address the InterContinental now enjoys . “ The taxi drivers Mark still call it The Regent ,” Lettenbichler adds . “ Hong Kong is where we really want to be .”
New opportunities have also come along with the signing of emerging Chinese hubs Chongqing and Xian , as well as Jakarta . Negotiations with owners in Harbin and Manila also are proceeding well , according to Lettenbichler .
In the United States , the company has identified New York , Miami and Los Angeles as flying future Regent flags , while in Europe it has looked at possibilities in London , Paris , Moscow and Italy , plus Hamburg and even ski resorts in Germany . In the Middle East , Dubai and Abu Dhabi are
Regent CEO
Lettenbichler wants to bring the brand back to Hong Kong . natural hooks , provided Regent had the right partner and product , Lettenbichler adds .
“ The Regent is rich in heritage ,” Lettenbichler says . “ We just have to remind everyone it ’ s an iconic brand that will be back again in many markets around the world . We also have to make sure it has a global presence like it had years ago .”
The company ’ s original DNA , based on the three Bs of providing memorable “ bed , bath and breakfast ,” has recently added “ bespoke ” to the lineup . Lettenbichler says this could take the shape of a one-of-a-kind resort , trading on unique adventures in an isolated destination . “ Look at today ’ s leisure travelers — they would rather pack up to go and stay in a little safari tent in the middle of the jungle ,” he says . “ Those different experiences are what we are looking to bring to our customers .”
IHG waves In steel
With its oval form and a metal façade that almost seems to be flowing , the main building of the InterContinental Davos is an interplay between open and closed surfaces that appears different from every angle .
Oliver Hofmeister from Munich-based architects Oikos found inspiration in the hotel ’ s tranquil surroundings as well as from pinecones in the nearby forest . Structural engineers Wilhelm + Partner and Seele built the innovative face with three-dimensional , curving spandrel panel elements from less-costly steel instead of the aluminium originally envisioned . The frame is covered on all sides with champagnecolored sheet steel just 3 millimeters thick .
12 HOTELS June 2014 www . hotelsmag . com