A New Era for Regent An Interview with S. Steven Pan, Executive Chairman of Regent Hotels & Resorts Regent Taipei’s Tai Pan Residence (left) and FIH Regent Group and the newly opened Regent Porto Montenegro (above)

EDITORS’ NOTE Steven Pan joined Amanresorts after Regent. They devel- that they are all unique.” One common thread that FIH Regent Group – owner of oped and expanded the Regent brand our guests will be able to fi nd regardless of the Regent Taipei – in 1991 and became to become the first truly -based location is their own bespoke experience. President in 1992. In 2000, he led a global hospitality group in an industry They can go on a culinary experience that management buyout of the company previously dominated by European and tickles their taste buds at Regent Taipei, or ben- and became Executive Chairman. American brands. efi t from a six-day weight loss/detox program with The company acquired Regent Hotels Regent injected high-quality Asian custom-made classes and meals at Regent Porto & Resorts from Carlson in 2010. Pan hospitality standards into all of their ho- Montenegro, which we have set as the hot spot for also founded Pacific Resources tels worldwide, including the fl agship pampering spa treatments this winter season. Group in in 1994, Regent Hong Kong, which introduced Is your focus for continued growth pri- and the group has since completed the fi ve-fi xture bathroom, now standard marily in Asia or do you see opportunities in many landmark transactions in San in fi ve-star hotels. other international markets? Francisco, Tokyo, and Hong Kong. S. Steven Pan Since 1970, Regent has opened There is a lot of potential in Asia. With the 17 hotels in 22 years, including the presence of Regent Beijing fi rmly established in COMPANY BRIEF Regent (regenthotels.com) celebrated Regent Beverly Wilshire, the mag- China’s capital, we are now targeting secondary cit- was founded in the ’70s and became the first truly nifi cent Regent New York, and Regent at ies including Chongqing, Xian, and Harbin, where Asian-based global hospitality group. In the ’80s Jimbaran, which was the fi rst resort with the all- an infl ux of domestic and international travelers and ’90s, Regent properties such as the Regent Hong villa and private-pool concept. Regent quickly overfl owing from fi rst-tier cities is expected in the Kong and Regent Beverly Wilshire were among became synonymous with glamour and style, near future. Elsewhere in Asia, Regent will make some of the world’s most acclaimed hotels. In 1992, and dominated the luxury hotel industry with its fi rst appearance in Manila, while returning to eight Regent hotels were recognized by Condé eight Regent hotels among the top 25 hotels in Jakarta with a brand new mixed-use hotel and resi- Nast Traveler as among the Top 25 Hotels in the Condé Nast Traveler’s best in the world list. In dential complex, as well as a second development World, with more than half of the best 14 hotels on 1992, the brand was acquired by Four Seasons not far from Regent’s corporate offi ce in Taipei. earth carrying the Regent name. The brand was Group, which rebranded many of the original There will also be multiple resorts in Bali and other later sold to Four Seasons and then Carlson before Regent hotels to Four Seasons. destinations. finally being acquired by FIH Regent Group. The In 2010, Regent returned to its Asian roots with Global expansion outside of Asia is also cru- existing Regents are located in Bali, Beijing, Berlin, acquisition by our FIH Regent Group, the original cial. Europe will see the establishment of Regent Phuket, Taipei, Turks & Caicos, and . In developer of Regent Taipei and the leading hotel Kitzbühel and Regent Venice – located in Austria’s 2011, all hotels in the Regent-managed portfolio company listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange. skiing and hiking destination and Italy’s “Floating were listed as the best luxury hotels in the world by How do you defi ne the “original Regent City”, respectively, plus phase two of the prominent the Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards, DNA,” which you often refer to? Regent Porto Montenegro, which has received a lot becoming the first and only international lux- The Regent DNA is focused on luxury. The of attention since its opening in August of 2014. ury hotel group to ever achieve this recogni- original Regent DNA is the basis on which Regent’s As you continue to grow and hire top tal- tion. In 2013, the group was fifth in the worldwide founding fathers built the brand and it’s still clearly ent, how do you defi ne what makes for a suc- ranking of the World Luxury Index measuring the observable in all current Regent hotels – elegant cessful hotelier today? most searched and sought-after luxury hotels. architecture, timeless décor, design elements in- A successful hotelier has a unique understand- FIH Regent Group (fihregent.com) is the digenous to the local area, and intuitive, discreet ing of a brand’s origins and a commitment to ex- largest and most profi table hotel company listed service, all of which help to achieve a balanced, ceptional service. He is a visionary with ambitious on the Taiwan Stock Exchange, with market capi- harmonious luxury: simple yet elegant, modern yet plans, creating unique hotels with mixed-use de- talization in excess of $1 billion. FIH Regent Group timeless, luxurious yet understated. velopments that include signature restaurants and owns flagship Regent Taipei, which has consistently Would you provide an overview of spas, along with luxury residential developments been one of the most profitable Regent Hotels Regent’s current properties? and extensive retail spaces. in the world. Regent Taipei also pioneered the Regent Hotels & Resorts currently operates As you look at the impact that you have first true luxury hotel shopping concept – Regent in Beijing, Berlin, Montenegro, Phuket, Singapore, had with the Regent brand, do you take time to Galleria, anchored by Chanel, Hermès, Dior, Graff, Taipei, Turks & Caicos, and 10 other destinations refl ect and appreciate what you are building Harry Winston, and 50 other luxury brands. worldwide under development. with this storied brand? You speak about each Regent property The common goal for all the associates at Would you discuss the history and heritage of as being unique. Is there a common thread Regent and myself right now is to bring Regent the Regent brand? throughout the properties that defi ne them as back to an unprecedented platinum era, more Regent is an iconic name in the global hos- Regent or do you focus on what works in each prominent than its former days in terms of unique- pitality industry with Asian roots. The brand was hotel location? ness of concepts, level of personalized service, started by legendary hotelier Robert H. Burns As our founder Mr. Burns so elegantly puts it, and quality of the overall experience. Its success in 1970. He was later joined by industry leaders “the only thing we specialize in is luxury, and the is based on working with like-minded people and George Rafael and Adrian Zecha, who founded only thing our hotels have in common is the fact partners around the world.• 90 LEADERS POSTED WITH PERMISSION. COPYRIGHT © 2015 LEADERS MAGAZINE, INC. VOLUME 38, NUMBER 1