How Canadian made it big in Hong Kong nightlife, left to sail the world, and rocked up in Panama where he’s opening a heritage hotel

When Chris Lenz sold his Igor’s restaurant group, he built a yacht to sail the world with his family –always with an eye to retiring in Phuket, Thailand

But when they stopped in Panama, Lenz got bored and looked for a project. He’s poured his energies and money into a heritage hotel that’s opening in 2021

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Chris Lenz at his party restaurant Igor’s in 2001. He cashed out of his restaurant group in 2009, travelled the world, and is now working on a heritage hotel in Panama. Photo: SCMP

Published: 12:33pm, 3 Oct 2020Updated: 7:09pm, 3 Oct 2020

In the first decade of the new millennium, nobody cranked up the volume on Hong Kong’s high jinks quite like party tsar Chris Lenz. He wasn’t just the brains behind mock-horror-themed Igor’s restaurant, he was its body and soul, frequently taking to the stage to urge guests on to greater excess.

In the Lan Kwai Fong nightlife district, the crowd spilling out of his maritime-themed bar, Stormy Weather, regularly blocked the street. Just up the hill, The Cavern – his tribute to the 1960s – rocked and rolled with a vengeance.

These were followed by several more restaurants and bars, all devised by the man who soon acquired the nickname “Zoom Lenz”.

But by 2009, the Canadian entertainment entrepreneur had had his fill of Igor’s Group. He cashed out, leaving him with a good sum of money in the bank, and set about building the 104ft superyacht of his dreams in southern Thailand.

Chris Lenz, his wife Vicky and children Kyana and Kanon at Machu Picchu. Photo: courtesy of the Lenz family

The vessel, Silver Lining, was launched in 2011. Together with his wife, former public relations professional Vicky Chima, and children Kyana and Kanon, Lenz set course to enjoy family life at sea. By autumn 2013 they had reached Panama in Central America, where Lenz felt it was time to drop anchor for a while.