Regent Hotels & Resorts
Corporate brand
UnclaimedAn international luxury hotel and resort brand jointly owned by IHG Hotels & Resorts and Formosa International Hotels Corporation.
Last updated October 14, 2026
Overview
Regent Hotels & Resorts is a luxury hospitality brand founded in 1970 by hotelier Robert H. Burns in partnership with Japan's Tokyu Group. Its first property opened at Waikiki Beach in Honolulu in 1971. The brand expanded through a combination of distinctive resort development, high-profile urban hotels and partnerships with other hospitality companies, becoming associated with large-scale, highly designed properties and personalized service. Regent's early growth was shaped by Burns and fellow hoteliers Georg Rafael and Adrian Zecha. Together they developed a portfolio that reached 17 hotels internationally. The opening of The Regent Hong Kong in 1981 was a major milestone: the property received extensive critical acclaim and helped establish Regent as one of the world's leading luxury hotel names. The Regent Beverly Wilshire joined the system in 1985 and later gained additional public recognition after appearing as a setting in the 1990 film Pretty Woman. The brand subsequently passed through several ownership and operating arrangements. EIE International acquired a minority stake in 1986 and obtained full ownership in 1992 after Burns decided to sell his remaining interest. EIE then sold the company to Four Seasons. Several Regent properties and projects were absorbed into the Four Seasons portfolio or opened under the Four Seasons name, substantially reducing Regent's independent operating footprint. In 1998, Carlson acquired the rights to the Regent name for new hotel development and established a luxury hotel division, while Four Seasons continued to operate certain existing Regent properties. Carlson later explored development in Europe, Africa and the Middle East, although several announced projects did not ultimately open under the Regent flag. In 2006, Carlson also applied the Regent name to its cruise business by renaming Radisson Seven Seas Cruises as Regent Seven Seas Cruises. The cruise company was sold to Apollo Management in 2008, while Carlson retained the hotel brand. Formosa International Hotels Corporation acquired the Regent hotel business in 2010. Formosa was the listed Taiwanese hotel operator behind Regent Taipei, originally opened by the brand's founders as Grand Formosa Regent Taipei. Robert Burns became honorary chairman, and Ralf Ohletz became president. Under Formosa, Regent remained a small, highly positioned luxury hotel brand rather than a mass-market chain. In 2018, IHG Hotels & Resorts announced an agreement to acquire a 51 percent majority stake in Regent for $39 million. The transaction was intended to expand the brand from six hotels at the time of acquisition to a substantially larger global portfolio. IHG positioned Regent as its highest-end luxury offering and began developing new hotels and branded residences in major destinations. The deal also provided IHG with a right to acquire the remaining interest in phases beginning in 2026, subject to the terms described in the reference material. IHG refreshed Regent's logo, monogram and visual identity in May 2019. The brand has since been presented as a refined, design-led luxury proposition combining spacious accommodation, destination-oriented resorts, premium dining, wellness and highly personalized guest service. A notable repositioning milestone was the return of the Regent name to the Hong Kong property, formerly InterContinental Hong Kong, after renovation and reopening as Regent Hong Kong in 2022. New projects have also been announced or signed in locations including Kuala Lumpur, Chengdu, Shanghai and Jeddah. Regent's business model is primarily asset-light: the brand licenses or manages hotels and resorts owned by third-party developers, while also supporting branded residences and related hospitality services. Its portfolio history includes properties that later changed flags, were sold, or were never completed. The current brand strategy focuses on selective expansion in luxury urban and resort markets rather than broad n…
History
Regent Hotels & Resorts began in 1970 as a joint venture between hotelier Robert H. Burns and Japan's Tokyu Group. Its first hotel opened at Waikiki Beach in Honolulu in 1971. Burns was later joined by Georg Rafael and Adrian Zecha, and the three hoteliers expanded the brand to 17 properties. Regent developed a reputation for combining prominent locations, sophisticated architecture and unusually high levels of personal service. The Regent Hong Kong, opened in 1981, became one of the brand's defining properties and was frequently ranked among the world's best hotels. The Regent Beverly Wilshire joined the portfolio in 1985 and became especially recognizable after appearing in the 1990 film Pretty Woman. These properties helped make Regent a prominent international luxury hotel operator during the 1980s. Ownership changed in stages. EIE International purchased a 35 percent interest in 1986 and acquired the remaining shares in 1992 after Burns chose to sell. EIE then sold Regent to Four Seasons. A number of Regent properties and projects were subsequently incorporated into the Four Seasons system, including properties in Jakarta, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Sydney and Beverly Hills. Several projects under development also opened as Four Seasons hotels rather than Regent hotels. Carlson acquired the Regent name for new development in 1998 and created a luxury division around it, while Four Seasons continued managing some Regent properties. Carlson and Rezidor later announced plans to develop Regent hotels in Africa, Europe and the Middle East, but the announced projects in places such as Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Hungary did not produce a substantial Regent operating network. Carlson also renamed Radisson Seven Seas Cruises as Regent Seven Seas Cruises in 2006. The cruise business was sold to Apollo Management in 2008, separately from the hotel brand. In 2010, Formosa International Hotels Corporation acquired Regent. Formosa already owned Regent Taipei, a property linked to the brand's founders. Burns was appointed honorary chairman and Ralf Ohletz became president. During this period Regent continued as a relatively selective luxury brand with a limited number of hotels. IHG announced in March 2018 that it would purchase a 51 percent majority stake in Regent for $39 million. The transaction gave IHG control of the brand while Formosa retained an interest. IHG stated an ambition to grow the portfolio from six hotels at the time of acquisition to approximately 40 hotels. It also obtained a right to acquire the remaining stake in phases beginning in 2026, according to the cited reference material. In May 2019, Regent introduced a redesigned identity, including a new logo and monogram. IHG positioned the brand as its top luxury hotel offering, with development focused on carefully selected urban destinations, resort locations and branded residences. Projects were signed or announced in Kuala Lumpur, Chengdu, Shanghai and Jeddah. Regent Hong Kong, formerly InterContinental Hong Kong and originally opened as a Regent property, resumed operation under the Regent name in 2022 after renovation. The brand's historical portfolio includes numerous former hotels and projects that were rebranded, cancelled or opened under other operators. Examples include developments in Bali, Milan, New York, Istanbul, Kuwait, Doha, Abu Dhabi, Bangkok, Ningbo and Budapest. This history illustrates the difference between the Regent name as a luxury trademark and the changing ownership, management and development arrangements behind individual properties.
- 2022
Regent Hong Kong reopens
[1]The former InterContinental Hong Kong returns to the Regent brand after renovation.
- 2019
Regent identity is redesigned
[1]The logo, monogram and visual identity are changed under IHG's ownership.
- 2018
IHG acquires a majority stake
[1]IHG agrees to purchase a 51 percent stake for $39 million and sets an expansion target for the brand.
- 2010
Formosa International Hotels acquires Regent
[1]Formosa International Hotels Corporation purchases the Regent hotel business and appoints Ralf Ohletz as president.
- 2008
Regent Seven Seas Cruises is sold
[1]The cruise business is sold to Apollo Management, while Carlson retains the hotel brand.
- 2006
Carlson applies the Regent name to its cruise business
[1]Radisson Seven Seas Cruises is renamed Regent Seven Seas Cruises.
- 1998
Carlson acquires rights to the Regent name
[1]Carlson obtains the Regent name for new developments and creates a luxury hotel division.
- 1992
EIE acquires full ownership
[1]EIE International exercises its right of first refusal and acquires the remaining Regent interest before selling the company to Four Seasons.
- 1985
The Regent Beverly Wilshire joins the chain
[1]The Beverly Hills hotel becomes part of Regent and later appears in Pretty Woman.
- 1981
The Regent Hong Kong opens
[1]The Hong Kong property opens and becomes a major source of international recognition for the brand.
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Products and positioning
Ultra-luxury, design-led hospitality emphasizing privacy, spacious accommodations, refined service, destination experiences and premium wellness and dining.
Luxury hotels · 1971
Regent Hotels
Urban luxury hotels operating under the Regent name, generally emphasizing prime destinations, spacious rooms and suites, high-touch service, design-led public areas, premium dining and individualized guest experiences. The portfolio has historically included major gateway cities such as Hong Kong and Taipei, although individual properties have changed ownership, management or brand affiliation over time.
Luxury resorts
Regent Resorts
Destination resorts developed for leisure travelers seeking privacy, expansive accommodation, wellness facilities, fine dining and location-specific experiences. Regent's resort history includes properties and projects in beach, island and major tourism markets, with some former developments later operating under other hotel brands.
Branded residences
Regent Residences
Residential developments carrying the Regent brand and supported by hotel-style services. These projects extend the brand beyond nightly accommodation into managed luxury living, typically combining private residences with hospitality amenities, concierge services and access to dining or wellness facilities.
Wellness services
Regent Spa and Wellness
Spa, fitness and wellness experiences offered at participating Regent hotels and resorts. The precise facilities vary by property, but the category supports the brand's broader luxury positioning alongside restorative treatments, leisure amenities and destination-oriented programming.
Marketing campaigns
- 2019Regent brand identity relaunch
International
IHG introduced a refreshed logo, monogram and visual identity while repositioning Regent as its highest-end luxury hotel brand.
Outcome. Established the visual and strategic platform for IHG-led expansion.
Brand decisions
2022
InterContinental Hong Kong returns to RegentGeneration changeBackground
The Hong Kong property had originally opened as a Regent hotel before operating for years under the InterContinental flag.
Action taken
Following major renovations, the property reopened as Regent Hong Kong.
Aftermath
The reopening restored one of the brand's historic flagship locations to the Regent network.
2019
Regent is repositioned as IHG's top luxury offeringStrategyBackground
After acquiring control, IHG sought to clarify Regent's place within its growing luxury and lifestyle portfolio.
Action taken
IHG redesigned the brand identity and pursued selective global development.
Aftermath
The brand expanded its pipeline across Asia, Europe and the Middle East while retaining an ultra-luxury positioning.
2018
IHG takes a majority stake in RegentM&ABackground
Regent had a small but internationally recognized luxury portfolio under Formosa International Hotels Corporation.
Action taken
IHG agreed to acquire 51 percent of Regent for $39 million, with a phased right to acquire the remaining interest beginning in 2026.
Aftermath
IHG placed Regent at the top of its luxury portfolio and pursued expansion through new hotels, resorts and residences.
Purchase price for 51 percent stake. $39 million (2018 transaction announcement)
Recent events
- 2022
The Hong Kong property returns to the Regent brand[1]
Product launch
InterContinental Hong Kong returned to the Regent flag as Regent Hong Kong after major renovation work.
- 2019
Regent introduces a new brand identity under IHG[1]
Other
The brand changed its logo, monogram and broader visual identity as IHG positioned Regent at the top end of its luxury hotel portfolio.
- 2018
IHG agrees to acquire majority stake in Regent Hotels[1]
M&A
IHG announced an agreement to acquire a 51 percent majority interest in Regent for $39 million and outlined plans to expand the brand internationally.
Sources2 sources
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