Hilton’s premium Conrad model will probably be increasing in Singapore, with the opening of a second property. That is an attention-grabbing one.
Regent Singapore will develop into Conrad as of 2023
The Regent Singapore will develop into the Conrad Singapore Orchard. The rebranded property is anticipated to open in two phases:
- The resort’s assembly areas and 10 eating places and bars, together with Manhattan, Basilico, and Summer season Palace, will welcome company as of January 1, 2023
- Following in depth room refurbishments, the resort is scheduled to completely reopen as of Q1 2024
The Conrad Singapore Orchard will function 440 visitor rooms, beginning at 36 sq. meters (~388 sq. toes). The resort is positioned on the well-known Orchard Highway, recognized for its buying and luxurious retailers. The resort is roughly 22 kilometers from Singapore Changi Airport (SIN), or a 30-minute drive away (although in fact public transportation is nice as properly).
The Regent Singapore initially opened in 1988, so it’s fairly an outdated property. Whereas I’m positive the inside will probably be properly renovated, I really feel prefer it’s powerful to deliver the outside of the property to a stage the place it doesn’t look a bit previous its prime.
Under are some renderings of what the refreshed property will appear to be.
As some extent of comparability, under is what the visitor rooms presently appear to be.
That is an attention-grabbing rebranding
There are a few issues I discover noteworthy right here:
- The property is leaving the Regent model, which IHG took a majority stake in as of 2019
- This would be the second Conrad in Singapore, together with the Conrad Centennial Singapore
Let’s speak about each factors in a bit extra element. To begin with, whereas I respect IHG’s acquisition of Regent, because it helps the corporate within the luxurious area, I can’t assist however discover the model somewhat… stray? The model has six properties in Asia and two in Europe, so there’s not precisely a complete lot of world title recognition or model loyalty.
One would assume that Regent gaining the ability of IHG’s international distribution energy would assist Regent properties with promoting rooms, although I discover it shocking that the resort is rebranding shortly (inside the timeframe of its existence) after the IHG acquisition. Are the resort’s house owners not discovering that the resort is promoting in addition to they hoped? Are IHG’s charges too excessive for what’s being supplied?
This doesn’t precisely set an ideal precedent for IHG’s Regent acquisition, because the Regent Singapore was certainly one of Regent’s largest properties.
Then there’s the resort being rebranded as a Conrad. Hilton has been killing it these days with regards to selecting up contracts for premium and luxurious motels, and I’m thrilled to see that portfolio proceed to develop. Nevertheless, I’m nonetheless stunned to see a second Conrad open within the metropolis. I usually assume that there’s some cannibalization among the many potential client base when the identical model has two motels in a metropolis.
You’d assume that we’d as a substitute see a Waldorf Astoria or perhaps LXR. Nevertheless, I suppose on this case the resort is so massive that it might be type of powerful to model it as both of these. Conrad, which is extra of a competitor to Grand Hyatt kind properties, is a greater match for a property of this measurement.
Backside line
The Regent Singapore will probably be rebranding because the Conrad Singapore Orchard. The resort will probably be leaving IHG as of the top of 2022. The resort will then progressively open as a Conrad as of 2023, with the total renovation anticipated to be accomplished in 2024.
I’m unsure what precisely to make of the resort house owners selecting to rebrand the property shortly after IHG’s Regent acquisition, and particularly to decide on a model that already has a property within the metropolis.
What do you make of the Conrad Singapore Orchard, and of the rebranding on the whole?
