Hospitality aficionado BLINK Design Group is in the headlines once more after creating two stunning new resorts on Asia’s most renowned tropical islands that it hopes will herald the rebirth of Regent Hotels & Resorts.
BLINK has created the new Regent Phuket and Regent Bali from the ground up, combining what it says is “timeless tropical modern design with subtle heritage and cultural accents”.
These twin gems in Regent’s new crown will soon be joined by other similar resorts in Taipei, Indonesia and China that will also bear BLINK’s hallmark design.
Clint Nagata. (Photo/The Property Report)
Regent Phuket Cape Panwa, located on a private finger of Cape Panwa on the south-eastern tip of the island, launched in December 2012. It features 70 rooms with panoramic sea views and 35 pool suites a short stroll from a private white sand beach.
The resort’s launch signals a new chapter in BLINK’s 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 also picked up an Asia Pacific Interior Design Award in December. BLINK designs have also featured in Conde Nast Traveller’s ‘Hot List’.
“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,” he added.
Regent Bali, which launched in January this year, 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 this paradise island,” 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. We have chosen to make the bath a private haven and 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 sanctuary.
“The 25sqm 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,” added Nagata.
Interiors at Regent Phuket combine modern design with a traditional Thai influence.
Regent has always been about luxury and individuality, Nagata said, adding: “It’s a brand that commands amazing respect and we are honoured to be helping return Regent to its Asian roots, centered around modern, culturally sensitive and timeless Asian designs.”
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,” 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, our unrivalled reputation for sumptuous luxury and anticipatory service together with Regent’s 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,’ Ohletz concluded.
