Bangkok--9 Jan--Delivering Asia Communications
"The 25 sqm terraces feature a 5.5m long daybed where guests can recline like pashas in pampered seclusion." Clint Nagata, Founder and Creative Director, BLINK
Hospitality aficionado BLINK Design Group is in the hot seat once again, creating two stunning new resorts on Asia's most renowned tropical islands that will herald the rebirth of Regent Hotels & Resorts.
BLINK has created the new Regent Phuket and Regent Bali from the ground up, combining timeless tropical modern design inspired by a sense of place with subtle heritage and cultural accents.
These twin gems in Regent's new crown will soon be joined by other sparkling jewels of luxury and individuality in Taipei, Indonesia and China that will also bear BLINK's hallmark of instinctive mind's eye design combined with exhaustive research into each destination's history, traditions, culture and people.
Regent Phuket Cape Panwa, located on a private finger of Cape Panwa on the south-eastern tip of the island, will launch in December this year. It features 70 rooms with sublime panoramic sea views and 35 pool suites a short stroll from a postcard-perfect private white sand beach.
The resort's launch signals the dawn of a new era for one of Asia's most legendary names in hospitality and lavishes a new layer of lustre and luxury upon the Pearl of the Andaman. It also begins a new chapter in BLINK's spectacular story of success, which has seen the Bangkok-based firm open offices in Shanghai, Singapore and New Delhi and pick up some of design's most prestigious prizes.
In 2012, BLINK won the prestigious HD Award from Hospitality Design magazine for the world's best luxury hotel design and will pick up an Asia Pacific Interior Design Award in later this month. BLINK designs have also featured in the 'bible' of what's hot in hospitality, Conde Nast Traveller's Hot List, this year.
"The design inspiration behind Regent Phuket was to create a traditionally inspired beach residence embellished with touches of Thailand and Asia," said Clint Nagata, Founder and Creative Director of BLINK.
"The elegant, almost Thai colonial feel of the exterior cedes to glowing, flowing interior spaces with warm tonal accents and spectacular back-lit high ceilings."
Regent Bali, which launches in January 2013, is located on the eastern part of the spectacular Bali coastline protected by a coral reef and in the exclusive Sanur District. It features 10 acres of tropical gardens with a 200m golden beach, 94 suites, 1 beachfront Regent Villa, 25 Regent Residences, a spa and two premier dining options.
"BLINK sought inspiration in the rich artistic and cultural heritage and the spirituality that flows through life on the 'Island of the Gods'," Mr Nagata said.
"In terms of 'wow factor', we went with our instincts once again and bucked the trend by designing a lavish inward focused bathroom. The bathroom is a large-scale jewel box and we have chosen to make the bath a private haven.
"The walls are clad in honed finished local marble, with handmade glazed ceramic tiles serving as the base and floor. Custom vessel sinks, vanity mirrors, and handcrafted shell feature walls complete this shimmering bathing sanctuary.
"The 25 sqm terraces feature a 5.5m long daybed where guests can recline like pashas in pampered seclusion. The huge double wardrobes are also a nice touch. One houses a big flat screen television, the other a fully equipped bar."
Regent has always been about luxury and individuality, Mr Nagata said, adding: "It's a brand that commands amazing respect and we are honoured to be helping return Regent to its Asian roots, centred around modern, culturally sensitive and timeless Asian design."
Regent Hotels and Resorts President Ralf Ohletz Count von Plettenberg said he was delighted with BLINK's creativity and flair coupled with the firm's deep understanding of local cultural nuances.
"It's an exciting time for Regent. Both the Phuket and Bali properties will immediately become flagships for the Regent brand in these two absolutely crucial resort island markets in Asia," Mr Ohletz said.
"Regent Phuket is set to become the new benchmark for tropical elegance in one of the most beautiful parts of the world.
"At Regent Bali, Regent's unrivalled reputation for sumptuous luxury and anticipatory service, together with its strong affinity with Asia, have been given full rein in the development of this exciting new resort.
"We are a proudly Asian brand about to be restored to our rightful position as a leading force in luxury hospitality. From that perspective, I'm also very happy that an Asian design company has created our beautiful new face.
"I look forward to a long and fruitful partnership with BLINK as we set about raising the bar for uniquely luxurious experiences for our guests in Asia and beyond."
Regent Hotels and Resorts Chairman and owner, Steven Pan, added: "It is 40 years since Regent Hotels set a new benchmark for the luxury hotels industry. Now, we are once again emerging as an icon of timeless design and bespoke experiences."
For further information and high-resolution photography, please contact:
Chereen Tai
Brand Manager
BLINK Design Group
Direct Tel: +65 6423 9516 X 261
Mobile: +65 8123 7749
Email:
[email protected]
www.blinkdg.com
David Johnson
Managing Director
Delivering Asia Communications
Direct Tel: +66 (0) 2246 1159
Mobile: +668 9170 9866
Email:
[email protected]
www.deliveringcommunications.com