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Published on October 1, 2007

Newly appointed general manager Michael Perdikaris called it the biggest refurbishing since the hotel's construction more than 30 years ago.

The renovations will be completed within two years, with each of the hotel's three sections closed on a staggered schedule.

The hotel consists of three sections: the Tower Wing, with 400 rooms; the Main Wing, 380 rooms; and the Royal Suite Serviced Apartments, 70 units.

The hotel has now closed the Tower Wing for work, which will be completed in December. It will then close the Main Wing, with that work finished about the middle of next year. After that, the serviced apartments will be closed, with work completed by the end of next year and another 100 rooms added on.

As well, the hotel will rebuild its lobby, coffee shop and meeting rooms and add three new outlets: a Japanese restaurant, a beer hall and an all-day dining room. It will also upgrade its health club and spa.

"Apart from the hardware change, we will also enhance our software and staff in terms of service and quality. We'll take one year for this task," said Perdikaris.

The renovation is needed because of tough competition along Sukhumvit Road, with more hotels opening.

Perdikaris, a Greek national, has worked with several international hotel chains and spent more than seven years in Thailand.

He gained management experience with Amari Group hotels in Phuket and Bangkok before transferring to the Accor Group as resident manager of the Novotel Siam Square for four years.

He was then promoted to general manager of the Sofitel Palm Resort Golf and Country Club in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, where he stayed for two years.

He ran a new Novotel in Kuala Lumpur before returning to Bangkok's Ambassador Hotel this year.

Suchat Sritama

The Nation