Ceebros mulls expansion, renovates Raintree Hotel

City-based Ceebros Hotels is looking at neighbouring Andhra Pradesh for expansion while it is planning to consolidate the existing operations here, said a top company official Monday.

"We are looking at Vishakapatnam in Andhra Pradesh for expansion. We are also looking at expansion here as we have the necessary land bank," C.Subba Reddy, managing director, Ceebros Hotels told IANS.

He said the immediate task is to cash on the uptrend in market with the company's entirely refurbished 108 room hotel - The Raintreee on St.Mary's Road.

"The rates are certainly firming up now as compared to the previous year. Going by the occupancy rates now, in two years time, there will not by any excess room inventory," Reddy said.

"We invested Rs.20 crore in refurbishing the interiors and the rooms with modern gadgets. The idea is to have a modern boutique hotel with a residential feel and look," he said.

In order to increase further the F&B revenue, the hotel decided to covert its 2,500 sq. ft pub into banqueting area taking to total conference space to 10,000 sq.ft.

Ceebros Hotels had engaged noted architect Jeffrey A. Wilkes, the principal of Design Wilkes, Malaysia to give the property a modern look without losing the traditional touch that the area is known for.

As a part of the revamp, the hotel also brought in new restaurant called Colony that has an interesting installation by artist Anamika that represents some of the items used daily by the people of the area.

Meanwhile other hoteliers also share similar positive sentiments and are getting ready for refurbishment.

Agreeing that the room tariff and occupancy rates are on the increase, Ian Dubier, general manger, Taj Club House here told IANS: "The average increase in room rates are around 8-10 percent."

He said the corporate traveller traffic has increased in the recent times.

"Compared to the same period last year, business is good this year. Hotels will be closing the current fiscal with better numbers," Dubier said.

On the other hand, star hotel Courtyard by Marriott is gearing up for makeovers.

"We are planning to refurbish the rooms. The work will begin this April end and would take around two years to complete," Prakash Jayadevan, general manager, Courtyard By Marriott told IANS.