Regala Skycity Hotel in Hong Kong’s transforming Lantau Island is helping parent company, Regal Hotels International, to cater to a growing segment of travellers who blend leisure and business and also expect wellness and sustainable features as part of their stay experience.
While the five-star 1,208-key hotel was officially opened in late-2021, it went on to support the government’s hotel quarantine programme for almost a year and has only just begun its first year with normal commercial operations, following Hong Kong’s full reopening to tourists this February.
The recent months have brought healthy business for Regala Skycity Hotel, shared Dora Liu, vice president-sales, with Regal Hotels International.
Liu told TTG Asia that the hotel’s location – as an airport hotel supporting Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA), directly connected to AsiaWorld-Expo convention and exhibition centre, and a 15-minute drive to Hong Kong Disneyland – has allowed it to acquire an average occupancy rate of over 80 per cent.
Since the start of the year, Regala Skycity Hotel has seen a stronger showing from transit guests than event guests, as “it takes time for mega events to return to a destination”. Its transit guests are made up of travellers stopping over at HKIA as well as from China who would cross the Hong Kong-Zhuhai Macao Bridge to access more international flights out of HKIA.
However, Liu expects the business events and transit guest mix to even out starting 2024, as business, leisure and sporting events pick up speed in the coming months.
“The strong advantage of Regala Skycity Hotel is that it is not your traditional airport hotel. It has 1,208 rooms and suites, many with a patio so that guests can exercise in private while taking in fresh air; a very nice swimming pool, gardens (as well as jogging track and outdoor gym on the Sky Deck); five game rooms that will appeal to all ages; three restaurants; themed rooms for families; and a selection of event venues.
“We also offer packages that combine room and access to top attractions, allowing the hotel to encourage guests to head out and appreciate Hong Kong as a destination,” said Liu.
She said the family- and fun-focused aspects of the hotel ensure that guests will have a memorable stay, even for just one night in transit.
“These facilities also attract locals, who enjoy the hotel for staycations,” she added.
As for its sustainability pitch, the hotel is awarded Silver EarthCheck Certification and Beam Plus Gold Cetification.
This unique work and play, rest and recharge positioning taken by Regala Skycity Hotel also avoids cannibalism with the long-established sister hotel Regal Airport Hotel in Chek Lap Kok, explained Liu. Furthermore, it occupies a sweet spot between the top-end Regal collection and the select-service iclub Hotels collection.
She believes that the Regala brand has the potential of growing beyond Hong Kong. Regal Hotels International currently has six Regal hotels and six iClub Hotels in Hong Kong, as well as four Regal properties in China’s Dezhou, Shanghai and Xi’an. The company is developing a boutique product in London, which could open in 2024; the brand has yet to be determined.
