Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Concorde Hotel Checking In Again

Source : The Straits Times, Sep 30, 2008

THE hotel arm of Singapore-listed HPL Properties has taken over an Orchard Road hotel and will make it part of its Concorde chain.

HPL Hotels and Resorts Group will take over the management of Le Meridien Singapore from tomorrow and turn it into Concorde Hotel Singapore.

The multimillion-dollar rebranding and 'major refurbishment' works will make the Concorde a four-star business hotel.

Updated suites and rooms will boast 'more spacious lodgings, larger desk space and upgraded amenities', complete with a sleeker and more chic design, said HPL.

HPL added that the revamp, which will be completed in early 2010, will cause only 'minimal inconvenience' to guests.

The hotel, which is on the main shopping belt and a stone's throw away from the Istana, will be the fourth Concorde managed by the group. The other three are in Malaysia.

The 417-room Le Meridien was managed by Starwood Hotel and Resorts Worldwide, whose management contract ends today.

HPL said in a statement that it will be 'taking this opportunity to re-establish the Concorde brand in Singapore', with 'plans of possibly bringing the brand name to countries such as Thailand, Indonesia and India'.

The first Concorde Hotel here was in Havelock Road and owned by HPL managing director Ong Beng Seng through his privately held company Avant Hotels.

But in January 2005, it was renamed the Holiday Inn Atrium and managed by InterContinental Hotels Group Asia Pacific.

HPL also said it has appointed Mr Andrew Khoo as general manager of the new Concorde.

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