Mr. Rafelson joins The Regent Shanghai, as the Regent group opens its first hotel in China.  He will be responsible for all aspects of the hotel's operation   from building a world-class professional hotel management team and carrying the Regent's legacy of providing highly personalized services, to establishing The Regent Shanghai as Shanghai's premier international luxury hotel. 

Commenting on his appointment and his vision for The Regent Shanghai, Mr. Rafelson said, "It is a challenging job to build a distinctive brand amongst the keen competition in China's luxury hotel market. With the hotel's superior facilities and unique service culture, we are confident in achieving our mission of redefining luxury and raising the benchmark for the industry, and establishing The Regent Shanghai as a successful template for the group's further expansion into China." 

Mr. Rafelson brings more than 32 years of global hospitality experience and management expertise to the luxury brand, having managed luxury properties in Egypt, Israel, Switzerland, Australia and the USA.  Mr. Rafelson's most recent assignment was that of general manager of The David Citadel Hotel, Jerusalem and prior to this, Mr. Rafelson held senior positions with the Hyatt International and Hyatt Hotels and Resorts.  

In the luxury hotels and resorts that he has managed, Mr. Rafelson is very proud that he was able to imprint his personality into the hotel's operations, in his words, "to treat guests the way I would want to be treated myself."

Mr. Rafelson is a graduate of the School of Hotel Administration from Cornell University in New York with a Bachelor of Science degree. In addition, he earned the Certificate de Cuisine from the Ecole Hotelier de Lausanne, in Lausanne, Switzerland. 

The Regent Shanghai is a key new addition to the company's fast-growing development in China. Located in Shanghai's Changning District, the hotel offers easy access to the central business district and the city transport system. 

With an overall contemporary, yet classic design, The Regent Shanghai features 511 luxurious rooms and suites, functional work areas, large plasma TV screens and spacious bathrooms with oversized freestanding baths. All guest rooms have stunning views over the city. The prestigious hotel features an all-day-dining restaurant, a Chinese restaurant and a specialty restaurant, multiple bars, a grand ballroom, several meeting and conference rooms, an indoor swimming pool and fitness centre. A high level of service and luxury amenities synonymous with the Regent brand will complete the exceptional guest experience.

Regent International Hotels has established a global leadership position in the luxury hotel and resort industry by offering premier locations, elegant facilities and personalised service to the world's most discerning travellers. Regent hotels and resorts are located in Asia, Europe and the United States. Other hotels are currently being developed in Beijing and Ningbo, China; Bangkok, Thailand; Boston, Bal Harbour, Winter Park (Orlando) and Miami in the USA.  

Regent International Hotels, the luxury flagship brand of Carlson Hotels Worldwide, was born in Asia more than 30 years ago. 

Regent International Hotels has established a global leadership position in the luxury hotel and resort industry by offering premier locations, elegant facilities and personalized service to the world's most discerning travelers. Regent is part of Carlson Hotels Worldwide, a global hotel industry leader encompassing 913 hotel and resort, operations in 69 countries. 

Singapore-based Carlson Hotels Asia Pacific is the regional headquarters for Carlson Hotels Worldwide in the Asia-Pacific region.

Regent International Hotels
www.regenthotels.com