IHG poised to secure a slice of high-end market

Series of openings in pipeline as wealthy Chinese regain appetite for luxury lifestyle

As China's wealthy put travel back on their to-do list following the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, United Kingdom-based IHG Hotels & Resorts' effort to tap into this modern luxury lifestyle is kicking into high gear.

The hotel giant, which operates brands including Holiday Inn and Crowne Plaza, has long seen China as a market with great potential. The group has ushered in more than 670 hotels over 48 years with hundreds more in the pipeline. Today, it's revving up luxury expansion to capitalize on growing market needs.

"As the world grows, especially in China, there's tremendous demand for luxury lifestyle. ‍‍ ‍‍So we've always seen that as an opportunity for us to grow in that space," said Daniel Aylmer, managing director for IHG Greater China.

Among the latest and most high-profile endorsements is its November reopening of Regent Hong Kong, an iconic establishment that opened in the lively Tsim Sha Tsui area of downtown Kowloon in 1980 before being rebranded as InterContinental Hong Kong in 2001.

Featuring in various movies, its return represents a revival of cherished memories for the people of Hong Kong, evoking nostalgia and a sense of connection to the city's rich cultural heritage.

"Unlike traditional old-school luxury, we are much more into the future direction of luxury. That's how we define it," Aylmer said.

After an extensive redesign by world-renowned architect Lo Chiwing, the establishment has turned itself into a "personal haven" where every guest can find unexpected harmony and a sense of warmth and serenity amid the bustling metropolis.