Japanese Hospitality Giant Seibu Prince Hotels Worldwide Expands Singapore
Seibu Prince Hotels & Resorts, a subsidiary of Tokyo-listed Seibu Holdings, officially launched their Southeast Asian brand, Park Regis by Prince Singapore, on September 3. The hotel, which is located along Merchant Road in the Clarke Quay area, has undergone extensive refurbishment and rebranding to cater to both business and leisure travelers.
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The hotel now offers 203 newly renovated rooms, with improvements such as complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi and 50-inch smart TVs with casting capability. In an effort to reduce single-use plastics, the hotel has also replaced items like water bottles with more sustainable options such as water filters.
According to Alex Barnett, director of global brand and communications at Seibu Prince Hotels Worldwide, the refit and rebranding have resulted in an increase in the hotel’s base room rates. The basic nightly rate has risen from $200 to $230.
The hotel offers four room categories, ranging from 215 sq ft to 463 sq ft, in the mid- to high-tier range. It is the first Park Regis hotel to be rebranded under the Seibu Prince brand.
Seibu Holdings is one of Japan’s largest hospitality conglomerates, with over 50 hotels, 25 hot spring facilities, and 28 golf courses under its operation. The company’s president and CEO, Yoshiki Kaneda, notes that there is a growing demand for Japanese-style hospitality in the luxury segment overseas, which the group is uniquely positioned to fulfill with its 80 years of experience in the industry.
Steven Tang, general manager of Park Regis by Prince Singapore, defines Japanese-style hospitality, or “omotenashi”, as the anticipation, selflessness, and sincerity shown to guests. The hotel has implemented features such as digital room keys and an AI chatbot to facilitate guest service requests and provide a more personalized experience. The group has also begun sending Japanese staff overseas to train local hotel staff.
In April, Seibu Holdings unified its three international subsidiaries under a single identity, Seibu Prince Hotels & Resorts, following its acquisition of Australian hotel operator StayWell Holdings in 2017. The group plans to expand its Prince brand across Asia and Southeast Asia, with upcoming openings in Indonesia and Thailand next year. Their goal is to reach 250 hotels worldwide by 2035, with a focus on capital cities like Singapore, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, and Jakarta.