Who says Regent is history?
By Steve Shellum, Publisher/Editor, HOTEL Asia Pacific The Asian-born chain suffered a big blow when it lost its world-famous Hong Kong flagship. But the brands new Asia Pacific boss, Paul Kirwin, has already scored a major coup in the region and promises many more ahead Just when you think Regent is a spent force in the luxury-hotel sector, it comes up fighting with a coup that signals to the industry: Were very much alive and kicking! Many in the industry believed the writing was on the wall when the Asian-born brand lost the world-renowned Regent Hong Kong to global giant Six Continents. Overnight, the Regent flag was lowered from the magnificent property that had given birth to the brand in the late 70s and upon which it had built its reputation as one of the worlds most admired hotel companies. US-based, privately-owned Carlson Hotels Worldwide which also owns the Radisson and Country Inns & Suites brands acquired the rights to the Regent name in 1997 from Canadas Four Seasons, an
