Hotelier unveils investment plans

It is the first time in 12 years that the hotel has come under a renovation plan. It aims to serve the rising business growth along Ratchadaphisek, which will becoming a new business centre in Bangkok after the Stock Exchange of Thailand moves there in early 2014 besides other major office buildings under construction.
Of the total investment, Bt2 billion of the budget is for two luxurious projects in Pattaya, Jomtien and Trad. The 300 keys in Pattaya will be located on 17 rai (2.7 hectares) with its own 75 metres of beach. It will open in the second quarter of 2014. The hotel aims to woo Russian, European and Thai clients.
Marcel Sawyere, general manager of the hotel, said it had been quietly acquiring land in a number of beach destinations, apart from renovating its flagship Bangkok property.
Of the remaining budget, Bt345 million will be spent to renovate both restaurants and rooms, which are scheduled for completion by the second half of 2013. The renovation comes at the time when Ratchadapisek is housing more shopping malls and office buildings. The Stock Exchange of Thailand will also relocate to the area. The hotel as such has the potential to be a leading player in MICE market.
 

“The time is entirely right for this repositioning. We aim to be ready to serve and exceed the fast growing needs and expectations of business, [convention] and leisure visitors,” said Sawyere.
Scheduled to open after the Pattaya property, the luxurious Trat property will initially have 70 rooms and be located directly on its own beach just 3 kilometres from the Cambodian border.
As part of its five-year plan, the company will also be developing upscale properties in Chiang Mai, Hua Hin and Phuket.
Said Sawyere: “Le Concorde Hotel has tremendous faith in Thailand’s tourism future and is embarking upon this ambitious campaign of renovation and expansion in order to be ready for the expected upsurge in business.”