THE Ramada Doha is getting ready for a major refurbishment which will see its West Wing improved to match the newer East Wing.
The hotel has 584 rooms in total and bosses are currently studying four different designs to choose the new product for the 328 rooms in the West Wing.
Depending on the option selected and the materials required it’s hoped the refit will be completed by the end or the year, or early next year at the latest.
The East Wing opened in June 2007 offering deluxe rooms, which are a minimum of 40 sq m, as well as two executive floors, two penthouse suites and three themed suites where guests can get a feel of the Country Garden, Scottish Colonial or all things James Bond.
The rooms in the older original 1979 building of the West Wing measure around 29 sq m and they will continue to be the standard featuring updated décor, high quality fixtures, fittings and amenities and new bathrooms.
The revamp will conclude what is proving to be a successful year for the hotel despite stiff competition with several new openings and more planned.
Director of sales Ian Lillie said: “Of course, like everyone, we have been affected by the economic situation but not as badly as we might have expected.
“Our financial year is April to March, we were approximately eight per cent down on occupancy and just under 12 per cent on average rate. Having said that 08/09 was a very good year so it was a good result.
“This year, as of end of June, we’re running at 69 per cent and the average rate is down from last year by approx two per cent. The reason for that is that there have been quite a lot of new properties coming online some branded, others not.
“Everyone now is offering summer rates but, to be honest, I don’t believe it works, it moves business around a bit but if someone rings you and says they’ve been offered a particularly good rate, you can match it. It doesn’t create extra business by offering cut rates and you still need to maintain the levels of service and offering even if you are cutting costs so it doesn’t seem that that helps anyone very much.
“For us, our business is primarily corporate. July, so far year-on-year, is up and we have had a really busy time with food and beverage events so it’s about making sure you have the right offering to draw people in, that’s what’s working for us.”