Mandarin Oriental Benefits From Upgrading

Source : The Business Times, October 23, 2007

THE Mandarin Oriental hotel here has enjoyed a significant increase in the number of international corporate and free and independent travellers (FITs) since it was upgraded and rebranded as a member of the worldwide Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group.

'After the hotel was relaunched in 2005 we saw a two to three-fold increase in the number of business travellers in 2006, compared with 2004 and 2005,' says Rajesh Jhingon, general manager of the Mandarin Oriental, Singapore.

'Demand for rooms will continue to increase as the hotel is constantly upgrading its facilities and service.'

Guests have responded positively to the transformation of the hotel and the improved facilities, he said.

The hotel, previously The Oriental, Singapore, was renamed Mandarin Oriental, Singapore on Sept 25 to align it with the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, which is in the process of developing 17 new hotels worldwide.

The multi-million-dollar upgrade of the Singapore hotel - which included all rooms and suites, dining and meeting facilities, public areas and the fitness studio - is one of the most significant since the hotel opened in 1987.

The hotel was closed for refurbishment for three months from end-August 2004 until December 2004, when it reopened softly.

'However, renovation works were still going on and we relaunched the hotel in May 2005,' says Mr Jhingon. Upgrading of facilities continued after that, the latest being the renovation of the fitness studio, which was completed in June this year.

There will be further renovations in 2008 to the hotel's rooms, including new furniture and the latest audio visual facilities in every room.