Big-spending hotel chief offers a friendly welcome to cost-cutting business travellers

Bucking the retrenchment trend, the Regal Hotels group just blew an eight-figure budget on a new Chinese restaurant which opened on Monday at its Tsim Sha Tsui East inn. Regal Court is aimed at big-spending mainlanders and local businessmen courting them. According to the hotel's executive director and society regular, Poman Lo Po-man, the investment will be worth it.

'I believe risk brings opportunities,' Ms Lo (pictured with her hotel magnate father, Lo Yuk-sui) confidently declared. 'The economic downturn has affected our business in many ways but, on the bright side, some business travellers who have had their travel budgets cut have come to us instead of staying at the five-star hotels ... The kitchen cost us a few millions and we have a number of VIP suites with their own washroom and big-screen TVs. We think this will upgrade our [four-star] hotel's image.'

The glamorous Lo added: 'There are people from the mainland who want to experience a high-end luxurious life but, with the current economic situation, they are afraid of spending too much money. That's why I think the Regal is in a good position.'