Luxury hotel now in full operation
Tuesday, 6 November 2007
FE Report
The Westin Dhaka, the country's new luxury hotel, is now in full operation with a cent percent occupancy rate.
"All our 241 spacious guest rooms and suites are now fully booked and it's amazing that the resounding success came within only 50 days from the formal inauguration date of our operation," San Amalan, general manager of the posh hotel told the FE in an interview.
He said most of foreign guests in the hotel represented ready-made garment (RMG), telecom, oil and gas sectors and UN agencies.
"I think the foreign guests are staying in Bangladesh to explore the fresh investment facilities created by the changed political situation in the middle of January of this year," Amalan, the top hotel executive with 34 years of experience, said.
The tourist flow is giving a boost to the country's hospitality industry, he added.
The Westin top executive said the guests prefer the hotel due to its 'unique facilities and services'.
Local Unique Group is the prime sponsor of 25-storey Westin Dhaka, which began its formal journey on September 12 last.
"Unique in design, Westin Dhaka is an example of modern architecture and it surpasses the existing establishments in Dhaka in terms of opulence and luxury," he said.
There are 241 spacious rooms including 23 suites and a presidential suite in the newly constructed hotel located in city's posh Gulshan area.
Construction of the Tk 3.50 billion Westin Dhaka began in late 1998.
Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide Inc., USA participated in the equity, rendering technical support and management for the operation of the hotel under the brand name of Westin.
The hotel launched a night social events titled 'Unwind' Thursday last aiming to entertain the guests during their stay.
"The evening ritual brings life to the public space (lobby lounge, bar or terrace) so that our guests can enjoy Bangladeshi lifestyle," Amalan said.
He said the new programme will transform each lobby into a gathering spot, encouraging guests to socialise.
The month-long programme includes block and brush painting, jointly organised with Banglar Mela, a local handicraft shop.
The guests will be encouraged by the host, to participate in the process of designing a piece of block for him/her with the design, colour and materials.
"An ambience will be created through lighting, traditional music, brush materials and displaying of final products," said Amalan.
Born in Colombo, Sri Lanka, San Amalan was a student at the Institute of Cost & Management Accountancy (ICMA) when he discovered a love for the hospitality industry.
Skipping classes to work as a casual waiter at the Hotel Ceylon Inter-continental, he decided that hospitality industry was his future.
He left home to seek his fortune by pursuing his career with Inter-continental hotels. His first overseas assignment was with the Muscat Inter-continental hotel, Sultanate of Oman in 1977.
The Westin Dhaka, the country's new luxury hotel, is now in full operation with a cent percent occupancy rate.
"All our 241 spacious guest rooms and suites are now fully booked and it's amazing that the resounding success came within only 50 days from the formal inauguration date of our operation," San Amalan, general manager of the posh hotel told the FE in an interview.
He said most of foreign guests in the hotel represented ready-made garment (RMG), telecom, oil and gas sectors and UN agencies.
"I think the foreign guests are staying in Bangladesh to explore the fresh investment facilities created by the changed political situation in the middle of January of this year," Amalan, the top hotel executive with 34 years of experience, said.
The tourist flow is giving a boost to the country's hospitality industry, he added.
The Westin top executive said the guests prefer the hotel due to its 'unique facilities and services'.
Local Unique Group is the prime sponsor of 25-storey Westin Dhaka, which began its formal journey on September 12 last.
"Unique in design, Westin Dhaka is an example of modern architecture and it surpasses the existing establishments in Dhaka in terms of opulence and luxury," he said.
There are 241 spacious rooms including 23 suites and a presidential suite in the newly constructed hotel located in city's posh Gulshan area.
Construction of the Tk 3.50 billion Westin Dhaka began in late 1998.
Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide Inc., USA participated in the equity, rendering technical support and management for the operation of the hotel under the brand name of Westin.
The hotel launched a night social events titled 'Unwind' Thursday last aiming to entertain the guests during their stay.
"The evening ritual brings life to the public space (lobby lounge, bar or terrace) so that our guests can enjoy Bangladeshi lifestyle," Amalan said.
He said the new programme will transform each lobby into a gathering spot, encouraging guests to socialise.
The month-long programme includes block and brush painting, jointly organised with Banglar Mela, a local handicraft shop.
The guests will be encouraged by the host, to participate in the process of designing a piece of block for him/her with the design, colour and materials.
"An ambience will be created through lighting, traditional music, brush materials and displaying of final products," said Amalan.
Born in Colombo, Sri Lanka, San Amalan was a student at the Institute of Cost & Management Accountancy (ICMA) when he discovered a love for the hospitality industry.
Skipping classes to work as a casual waiter at the Hotel Ceylon Inter-continental, he decided that hospitality industry was his future.
He left home to seek his fortune by pursuing his career with Inter-continental hotels. His first overseas assignment was with the Muscat Inter-continental hotel, Sultanate of Oman in 1977.