Business Desk :
Bangladesh’s first five star iconic property, now Ruposhi Bangia Hotel, owned by Bangladesh Services Limited (BSL), started its journey in the name of Hotel Inter-Continental Dhaka, subsequently Dhaka Sheraton Hotel and most recently operating as Ruposhi Bangia Hotel from 1st May, 2011. As per approval of the Government, BSL has signed a management agreement with InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) to operate the hotel for 30 years. The hotel will be rebranded as Inter-Continental Dhaka upon completion of renovation. The renovation will commence in September-2014, said a press release.
BSL, indeed, is proud to incorporate the hotel’s impressive history into the design and recognize the importance of this historic building and the strategic role it played during our War of Liberation. Within the scope of renovation, there is no plan to demolish the existing building, the press release added.
The renovation works include remodeling sqm guest rooms with all modern amenities, relocation of all day dining with creation of show kitchen, and access to external views and day light,·construction of specialty and theme restaurants, renovation of all banquet halls and construction of new meeting rooms with contemporary decor and facilities. Other areas of renovation include relocation of the swimming pool to upper level with health club and spa with finest equipment ,augmentation and renovation of kitchen with state-of-the-art cooking ranges and laundry with new equipment, the press release said.
With all these changes, Inter-Continental Dhaka will have the competitive edge over other hotels of the country and this will place the hotel firmly within the 21st Century. IHG in their inspection report mentioned that the scope of the work will necessitate the full closure of the hotel to achieve the most cost-effective and speedy renovation.
Due to the nature of the work it will not be possible to keep the hotel open as most of the services will require replacement and sectionalizing due to the scale of the work and the disruption envisaged, it said adding assets of Ruposhi Bangia Hotel (RBH) which are acceptable to IHG will be retained for use in Inter-Continental Dhaka.
Other assets of the hotel will be offered to Bangladesh Parjaton Corporation (BPC) for use in their various properties. Remaining disposable items will be auctioned through open tender by a committee to be formed by the BSL Board, comprising of representatives from BSL, RBH and the consultant(s), the press release said.
The management recognizes the experience and loyalty of its employees and has, therefore, prepared a Human Resource (HR) plan which is as follows: The HR plan ensures employment of all permanent and contract employees throughout the renovation period with full pay, service charge (permanent employees), allowances and facilities that they receive currently, the press release said.
