St. Regis opens polo season

Brand rituals add traditional touch to sport, Guo Yali reports.

It was a perfect sunny afternoon when crowds turned out to watch the eighth annual St. Regis International Cup at Cowdray Park Polo Club, in West Sussex, England, on May 16.

Dressed up in their garden party attire, spectators included VIP guests such as jazz singer Jamie Cullum, fashion designer Keren Craig and Downton Abbey actresses Joanna Froggatt and Laura Carmichael.

Watching polo from the St. Regis hospitality marquee, guests were treated to the brand's traditional specialties - the St. Regis signature Bloody Mary cocktail, which was first concocted at The St. Regis New York 80 years ago; the St. Regis afternoon tea, including sandwiches, English tarts and scones with strawberry jam and lemon curd, as well as Veuve Clicquot champagne - the perfect accompaniments to the traditional halftime divot stomp.

Daphne Sipos, global brand director of St. Regis, said: "We are delighted to be hosting the opening match of the polo season at Cowdray Park for the eighth consecutive year. Polo continues to be an integral part of the St. Regis heritage and legacy, and we look forward to continuing our passion for the 'sport of kings' in the year ahead, supporting polo in the Hamptons and Dubai, and snow polo in Aspen for the fourth year running."

That day, the England team emerged victorious, beating America six goals to three, but St. Regis Connoisseur or brand ambassador, Nacho Figueras, of the American team was the star of the event.

St. Regis Connoisseur

The Ralph Lauren model from Argentina is the world's most followed polo player on social media.

Figueras, who became the first St. Regis Connoisseur in 2012, stays at St. Regis hotels and resorts when he travels around the world. He said the St. Regis butler service makes his life easier while traveling: whether its by carefully packing or unpacking suitcases, securing last minute items, booking tickets to special events or simply by polishing his polo boots ready for his next match.

Figueras said he has always considered himself a St. Regis man, especially as his wife and their four children, aged between 2 and 15, travel a lot and find St. Regis hotels and resorts "provide great family services".

"I say they (St. Regis) picked me, but actually I picked them," he said during an interview with Chinese media prior to the match.

"I travel a lot with my family and I think the great distinction of why St. Regis is such a great luxury hotel is that they care a lot about children. They have a lot of kids' services, kids' food and kids' programs, which is not true of many hotels. So as a father of four kids I think they are wonderful."

"On Friday I am going to New York for ten days and I am staying at The St. Regis New York. Macaroni and cheese on the kids' menu is very good. You have to pretend to be a kid to call to get it," he joked as he imitated a child making a call to room service.

Family traditions

Sipos said families are very welcome and celebrated at St. Regis hotels and resorts. She said about 10 percent of the brand's guests are families and the proportion goes up to 25 or 26 percent during peak seasons.

Under the St. Regis Family Tradition programs, guests can explore different hand-selected family adventures at each St. Regis hotel and resort, such as swimming with dolphins in Mauritius, learning to surf in Mexico or taking a private tour of the Sistine Chapel in Rome.

Families can also enjoy special amenities designed to showcase each destination's unique features, including treats, keepsakes, child-sized robes, slippers and a step stool for little ones.

Each St. Regis hotel and resort has restaurants with menus that cater to children and are more than happy to accommodate special requests. Many St. Regis resorts offer an expertly staffed children's club that provides an exciting schedule of activities. In additional to supervised activities, families are encouraged to explore and enjoy the hotel and resort spaces together.

Contact the writer at guoyali@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 06/06/2015 page10)