IT'S COMPLICATED Carlson Sells Luxury Regent Hotel Chain

Leading global hotel chain Carlson whose brands include Radisson and Park Plaza have sold the luxury Regent chain to the Taiwanese group Formosa International Hotels Corporation for a reported USD 56 million . The later owns the Grand Formosa Regent in Taipei.
Once considered as a leading global luxury brand founded by Robert Burns in the 1970's the group became a stepping stone for Four Seasons international aspirations when it acquired the group and eventually rebranded many of the properties including what is now the Four Seasons Bangkok.
It was later acquired by Carlson who's core products in the midscale and full service sector never quite merged with the upscale brand. Currently there are 17 properties in operations and in the development pipeline.
Here in Phuket the on and off again 106 key Regent Phuket Cape Panwa is now moving towards opening in early 2011. This property was formerly the Panwaburi and then a renovation and expansion as a Conrad, though the owners changed brands mid work and look now set to open under the Regent flag.