A parliamentary standing committee has recommended immediate renovation of Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel as refurbishing of another five-star hotel Ruposhi Bangla got stuck.
The committee on tourism ministry made the recommendation at a meeting yesterday.
“Recently we found the hotel’s service facility not up to the mark. The ministry should quickly take steps to renovate it,” Muhammad Faruk Khan, the committee chairman, told the Dhaka Tribune following the meeting.
He said the committee found Sonargaon Hotel’s car parks, food quality and prayer’s space unsatisfactory.
Faruk Khan also raised questions about the security services in the hotel.
“The security system should be improved further. If the present situation continues, it will send a negative signal to the guests.”
Faruk Khan and two other committee members raised the renovation issue at the meeting, said meeting sources.
When contacted, Sonargaon officials said the hotel management was planning a “soft renovation” next year.
“As the hotel is in old format, the authority has decided to refurbish it. We plan a soft renovation next year,” said Salman Kabir, manager (public relations) of Sonargaon Hotel.
Launched in 1980, the hotel went through renovations only once which was in 2008.
“Sonargaon Hotel is the only hotel in Dhaka to accommodate state guests. So massive renovation works like that of Ruposhi Bangla are necessary,” Salman added.
Ruposhi Bangla, however, is yet to start renovation works. The hotel has been closed for last two and a half months to start the works.
But it could not go into works within the stipulated time of November as it had failed to complete tender process.
There is a fear that the delay could increase the cost up to Tk450 crore from Tk365 crore.
After renovations, the hotel will open under a new brand name.