Iconic Queen’s and Suisse up for Rs. 1.5 b revamp by S’pore architects

Iconic Hotel Suisse and Queen’s in Kandy are slated for a Rs. 1.5 billion facelift by renowned Singapore architects, whilst maintaining the unique heritage and ambience

Owners of the two properties Kandy Hotels Plc said yesterday that its Board of Directors on Tuesday decided on the major refurbishment plans, as a further step to support the revival of post-war tourism in Sri Lanka.

At Tuesday’s Board meeting, the Directors also resolved to “seize the fruits of peace and take advantage of the conducive investment environment consequent to the dawning of peace in the country after 30 years of strife to make a substantial investment in upgrading its properties”.

“The Board has approved the master refurbishment plan which was done by the architects approved for the purpose Ong and Ong of Singapore together with Dr. Richard Helfer, Chairman of RCH International Ltd., who was previously the CEO of Raffles International,” Kandy Hotels said.

Ong and Ong has been in the industry for over 40 years and responsible for iconic built overseas properties including those in Singapore.

“When refurbished Queen’s Hotel will maintain its unique heritage and ambience in keeping with the grandeur and heritage of its surroundings,” Kandy Hotels added.

The fresh investment of Rs. 1.5 billion is hot on the heels of Kandy Hotels, along with Sino Lanka Hotel Holdings Ltd., starting a new 120-room hotel behind Hotel Suisse, for completion by 2014. This move, Kandy Hotels said, was in keeping with the policy of the Government to increase the hotel room strength in the country.

Along with this, the refurbishment carried on since 2010 at Queen’s Hotel, which had only 54 operating rooms of which only half had air-conditioning, has been increased to 77 air-conditioned rooms with other guest-related facilities which will be further improved and increased.