The best way to revisit Hong Kong in the post pandemic is to stay at Regala Skycity Hotel while exploring Lantau Island and the rest of Hong Kong territories.
Regal Hotels International which boasts of a rich
heritage of hospitality facilities and grand services dating back to 1979, made
the right move of launching Regala Hotels – a new and vibrant hospitality brand
that provides a place for celebration and harmonious living. The first opening
on February 2023 is Regala Skycity Hotel located at Hong Kong’s new SKYCITY
hub.
Our group of five media representatives from the Philippines, including celebrity influencer Ashley Ortega, had the opportunity to experience the charm and hospitality of Regala Skycity Hotel in November 2023. And it was a blast!
Thanks to VFC Travel and Tours, who organized our four-day,
fun-filled tour in Hong Kong. Truly, VFC is your very first choice and go-to
expert for trips to Hong Kong and beyond.
Lantau Island is home is home Hong Kong International Airport and to many manmade landmarks, including Hong Kong Disneyland, the Ngong Ping 360 cable car, and Giant Buddha (Tian Tan Buddha). Po Lin Monastery, Tian Tan Buddha Statue, Ngong Ping Village, Skyrail We visited the Disneyland which is a short 5-minute train ride from the train station at Ngong Ping. However, we did not ride the cable car at it was under repair at the time of our visit.
The star attraction on Lantau is the 34-meter Tian Tan Buddha or the Big Buddha, which rests high up on a hilltop. The best way to get there is by riding the Ngong Ping 360 cable car that climbs from Tung Chung to tranquil Ngong Ping Village with stunning views of the Lantau landscape. (Image courtesy of HKTB) |
Although we were not able to explore the island due to lack of time, we enjoyed the serenity and refreshing vibe of the place which is away from the hustle and bustle of city life. We learned that most parts of Lantau are made up of lush greenery, attracting hikers and trekkers looking to explore Lantau Peak, the highest mountain on the island.
So, we stayed at Regala for two nights while trying to squeeze in our media activities of hotel tour, interviews and meeting hotel officials, and familiarization tour of nearby attractions.
Boasting over 1,200 guest rooms, three diverse restaurants serving cuisines from around the globe, a beautifully designed grand ballroom and two banquet halls perfect for weddings and conventions, state-of the-art wellness facilities, children’s entertainment spaces, games rooms and more, Regala Skycity Hotel is truly a unique hospitality destination for those looking into topnotch services within a serene environment.
Regala is on its first year of operation at the time of our visit yet it has already garnered accolades in the hospitality business among them: “Best Airport Hotel” by TTG Asia Travel Awards (2023), “Best New Hotel” by TTG China Travel Awards (2023), Best Hotel Restaurant Interior (Hong Kong) by International Property Media Ltd in 2023 (for Vivace).
Unrivalled Connectivity
Regala Skycity Hotel is situated in the dynamic and exciting SKYCITY – a captivating new retail, dining and entertainment complex that is set to transform the HKTA into an Airport City. Built on land owned by the Airport Authority Hong Kong, it currently includes the AsiaWorld–Expo, Terminal 2 (SkyPlaza) and SkyPier. Some constructions were still in progress at the time of our visit.
Hong Kong’s Skycity (Image courtesy of asiaworld-expo.com)
Regala is conveniently positioned for those looking to explore Hong Kong, Macau and Shenzhen, or attend world-class events in the region. The hotel is directly connected to AsiaWorld-Expo - one of the world’s premier exhibition and entertainment venues and 11 SKIES - Hong Kong’s largest all-in-one retailtainment landmark with 2 minutes’ walk via the enclosed footbridge.
The Regal Group has its own service counter at Hong Kong International Airport located at Arrival Hall B, counter B15. We went there and availed of the hotel’s free shuttle bus instead of taking the Airport Express. In 10 minutes, we were at Regala.
With Regala’s strategic location, guests will be able to reach Hong Kong’s Central District in less than half an hour aboard the Airport Express, the much-loved Hong Kong Disneyland in 15 minutes via taxi, and easily travel throughout the Greater Bay Area as The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge and Tuen MunChek Lap Kok Link are only a few minutes away by car.
Hearty, healthy welcome lunch at Vivace
Our welcome lunch was held at Vivace, the hotel’s Mediterranean restaurant located on the third floor. Recognized for its impeccable interior designed by Alexander Wong, the vibrant restaurant picked up a silver award for outstanding interior design at the Build4Asia Awards 2022. The restaurant serves up tasty and hearty dishes from Mediterranean hotspots including Spain, Italy, France and Greece.
VFC Travel & Tours and PH media
meeting with Regala SKYCITY Hotel officers at Vivace |
They served us a Thanksgiving Special Menu, semi-buffet tapas lunch, anti-salad bar, appetizers, soup, and dessert. We indulged in the delectable cuisine while enjoying the company of Ivan Tso, Assistant Marketing Communication Manager. And we had a pleasant surprise! Vivace’s team is comprise mostly of Filipinos. So don’t be surprised to hear them speaking in Pilipino in one of your visits to Regala.
A dynamic place for an unforgettable stay
After the sumptuous lunch, we started touring the huge, impressive hotel, its hotel rooms, themed rooms, grand ballroom, and meeting venues. We also had a walk to 11 Skies and Asia World Expo.
Themed Family Room -- Pirate |
Families with little ones would surely enjoy a memorable stay at Regala by choosing any of the themed rooms located on the third floor, the Theme Family room like Racing Car, Frozen Castle, Pirates, Under the Sea, Brick & Block, and Jungle & Safari. There are also cabana rooms with patios available for those looking to host a gathering or BBQ party.
To further provide fun for the whole family, there are five different game rooms throughout the hotel to choose from, including an arcade with video game challenges, ball games and virtual experiences.
PH media checking out a Themed Family Room -- Racing Car
Rooftop Sky Deck
One of the most picturesque highlights can be found on the beautifully landscaped rooftop Sky Deck with panoramic views of Lantau and wellness facilities such as a Sky Gym, Jogging Track, and Organic Farm. The Sky Deck also features a cocktail bar, ideal for a drink whilst soaking in a spectacular sunset or watching planes taking off and landing. The rooftop space also lends itself perfectly to late-night stargazing – a must-do when staying at the hotel.
With the Skydeck, one need not go out of the hotel for a morning jog or walk and enjoy the sunrise or sunset. For further healthy and harmonious living, guests are encouraged to take advantage of the outdoor swimming pool, self-guided driving and hiking tours, and tailor-made yoga and meditation activities.
Regala is a hip brand focusing on lifestyle, wellness, and sustainability
In the afternoon, we had the opportunity to meet the hotel’s gracious general manager, Renee Kim. She said that Regal is the core brand of Regal Hotels International, while Regala is a new brand, which focuses on lifestyle, wellness, and sustainability. She said the company is also planning to re-brand some of the existing hotels. Regal is more conservative, and upscale; Regala is more lifestyle and trendy.
Kim related that it’s challenging to manage a new property, especially after the pandemic. “Overall, there’s a downturn in the economy not just here in Hong Kong but in other countries. Despite the challenges, we have been able to open the hotel. We can’t complain. The business is picking up. Anyone who has tried our product, they loved it.”
A welcome dinner of authentic Chinese cuisine at the Jade
Later at night, Kim joined us for dinner at the Jade, the fine-dining Chinese restaurant of the hotel located on the 12th floor. Together with the group is Regala Hotel Manager Karl Sun, who personally chose the seven-course Chinese cuisine that was especially prepared for our welcome dinner. The Jade presents exquisite delicacies in a plush environment enhanced by artistic features and breathtaking sea views. We had our own private space for the sumptuous dinner.
Welcome dinner at the Jade restaurant which brings
together China’s dynamic regional cuisine |
In between dinner and interesting conversation on sundry topics, Kim shared that they have an Executive Chinese Chef who not only specializes in Cantonese but also many regional Chinese cuisines.
As a true representation of Chinese culinary fare, the Jade brings together China’s dynamic regional cuisine ranging from Canton, Beijing, Zhejiang, Sichuan and more. “We have dynamic dishes from Beijing, Shanghai, Sichuan province, and many more. People like to try food from different parts of the world,” Kim said.
The interior of the Jade has a calming effect.
At Regala, healthy food is available 24/7 to support guest wellbeing. With
farm-to-table and vegan menus, harmonious living is made possible with easily
accessible healthy dishes and meals |
With quite a long, tiring day coupled with a happy tummy and a good shot of table wine, our group had a restful sleep on well-appointed suites accorded to us.
Petra, the welcoming all-day-dining restaurant
Featuring designs based on coastal lines, sedimentary rocks and calming blues, the spacious all-day-dining restaurant Petra brings diners closer to nature. Adorned with interactive and mesmerizing live cooking stations, the restaurant serves international cuisine through a contactless ordering system, ranging from authentic Southeast Asian fare to exotic Indian curries, Japanese delicacies and more.
Breakfast at Petra is always fun, filling and
healthy. An instant favorite is a pancake. We just have to wave to the machine
and it would be done in a jiffy |
Located on the ground floor, Petra is manned by mostly Korean staff, some of whom we already befriended during our stay. We had our daily buffet breakfast and our farewell dinner at Petra, before heading to our next destination, to Regal Hong Kong Hotel in Causeway Bay. The dinner was a delightful treat as well: a 7-course dinner composed of appetizers down to dessert with a choice of salmon or slow-cooked beef that truly melts in the mouth!
Petra is an all-day-dining restaurant that serves international cuisine |
Flexible and tech-savvy function spaces with impressive interior design
Regala Skycity Hotel is the perfect venue to celebrate every occasion, from weddings and meetings to large-scale events. Designed by the Hong Kong based award-winning architect and interior designer Alexander Wong, the hotel offers two Banquet Halls and the Regala Grand Ballroom, which is one of the biggest ballrooms in Lantau.
The Regala Grand Ballroom expresses a dynamic energy through the myriad of rectangular white frames ‘spinning’ over like the Spiral Sky
Accommodating up to 76 tables, the Regala Grand Ballroom expresses a dynamic energy through the myriad of rectangular white frames ‘spinning’ over like the Spiral Sky. The unique ceiling design creates a special lighting experience, complemented with a shoal of auspicious crystal chandeliers and giant pillars that also function as an LED display.
Designed to rekindle a sense of wonderment for the natural elements, streams of sunlight in the Banquet Halls create an enchanting vision of ocean waves or flying clouds during the day and an interstellar effect at night with a series of star-like chandeliers.
With over 2,800 square meters of space and an impressive 6.7-metre ceiling height, the function spaces are equipped with state-of-the-art technology featuring synchronized AV systems, six built-in LED walls and six vertical LED panels.
Regala’s tech-savvy function spaces along with unique outdoor venues, such as the Sky Deck and Terrace on the 5th level, clearly position the hotel as an ideal venue for celebrations, weddings or MICE events.
Regala Skycity Hotel is located at 8 Airport Expo Boulevard, Hong Kong International Airport, Chek Lap Kok, Hong Kong with the following details: Telephone: (852) 3556 3288 E-mail: info@skycity.regala-hotels.com, Website: skycity.regala-hotels.com, Facebook: @regalaskycityhotel, Instagram: @regalaskycityhotel, and WeChat: RegalHotels
Regal Hotels International (00078) is a member of the Century City Group (00355) which is a conglomerate publicly listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Regal Hotels International is one of the largest hotel operators in Hong Kong and manages a fine collection of hotels including: Hong Kong: Regal Airport Hotel, Regal Hongkong Hotel, Regal Kowloon Hotel, Regal Oriental Hotel, Regal Riverside Hotel, Regala Skycity Hotel, iclub Fortress Hill Hotel, iclub Mong Kok Hotel, iclub Sheung Wan Hotel, iclub AMTD Sheung Wan Hotel, iclub To Kwa Wan Hotel, and iclub Wan Chai Hotel; Chengdu, Sichuan Province: Regal Xindu Hotel; Dezhou, Shandong Province: Regal Kangbo Hotel; Shanghai, Shanghai City: Regal Jinfeng Hotel and Regal Plaza Hotel & Residence; and Xi’an, Shaanxi Province: Regal Airport Hotel, Xi’an.
Regal Hotels International also owns the Campus La Mola, located in Barcelona of Spain and The Waterman by Regal, located in London of United Kingdom, which targets to open in 2024.
For media inquiries, contact: Ms. Savoy Lin, Group Director of Marketing Communications, Regal Hotels International Tel: (852) 2837 1711 Email : savoy.lin@regalhotel.com; and Ms. Florence Yeung, Group Marketing Communications Manager, Regal Hotels International Tel : (852) 2837 1690 Email : florence.yeung@regalhotel.com
#RejoiceAtRegala #RegalaSkycityHotel #RegalHotelsInternational #LantauIsland #airporthotel #VFCtravelandtours #HongKong #airporthotelHK #LuxuryTravel #PHmediatour #RegalHK
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