I think your historical perspective is a bit skewed and inaccurate. I never thought of RC as the equal of FS or MO before Marriott acquired RC. In fact, RC properties and styles were almost always too old, too traditional, too Old World in comparison...until Marriott acquired RC. The Marriott acquisition brought fresh perspective and new and modern design and style approach to RC that now has its newer properties much more competitive with the best of FS and the like.

The IHG acquisition of Regent is a good move by IHG to move into the luxury space. Rebranding the IC Hong Kong is a good move by IHG to better position the soon-to-be-renovated Hong Kong property in the luxury space in which it belongs. In time, IHG can open and renovate and rebrand other top IC and other properties and move them into the luxury space with Regent branding.

St Regis was a single New York City property until the 1999 acquisition by Starwood of the DC property and concomitant rebrand into the StR Washington, DC. In less than 20 years, the St Regis brand has become one of the best luxury brands in the world, now with over 40 properties worldwide and with another 2 dozen in the pipeline. And many St Regis properties compete head to head with FS, including in Bora Bora, San Francisco, Punta Mita, Miami, Atlanta, Houston, Florence, Mexico City, Beijing, Bangkok, etc. There’s no reason that IHG can’t accomplish the same with Regent.

I also don't believe that anyone thinks the new Regent Hong Kong will be the best in the world. But it may have one of the best views in the world.