InterContinental Hotels Group has relaunched the Regent Hotels & Resorts brand following the addition of Kuala Lumpur to the global network – the first hotel to be flagged under the brand since IHG acquired a controlling stake earlier this year.

Regent Kuala Lumpur will be situated around 45 minutes from KLIA and will sit within the emerging Tun Razak Exchange project which IHG says will become the city’s next financial district and an extension of the golden triangle, drawing business and higher yielding leisure visitors through its shopping and entertainment options.

The acquisition of the Regent brand adds a further luxury-tier string to the IHG bow in a market segment worth US$60 billion annually and growing. The company says it plans to grow the Regent name from six hotels presently to more than 40 around the world in key cities and resort locations.

Alongside the marque’s relaunch, IHG has rolled out a number of “new brand hallmarks” and a refined and refreshed design philosophy, service standards and visual identity.

In so doing, IHG says modern-day Regent hotels will align with and proffer three core philosophies of highly-crafted and personalised experiences for guests to indulge; attentive service and technology to create an effortless stay; and local culture at the door for guests to be able to access the tastes, ideas and identities of the cities in which they are staying.

InterContinental Hotels Group CEO Keith Barr expressed his delight at the first Regent signing under IHG’s tenure.

“I’m confident that our impressive new positioning and brand identity will allow us to continue to take the brand to the world’s best destinations and help position Regent as a real leader within luxury hospitality.

“We are already one of the world leaders in luxury with our InterContinental Hotels & Resorts brand, and alongside Regent and Kimpton, we have significant potential to expand our global footprint in the fast-growing luxury segment.”

At this stage, no details of when Regent Kuala Lumpur will open are available, not what facilities and room features it will offer.

In addition, IHG has begun drawing up plans to convert the InterContinental Hong Kong into a Regent, returning the property to its original brand upon which it originally opened in 1980.