Jun. 2, 2009--A PLAN to temporarily close one of Bahrain's oldest five-star hotels for renovation has been shelved, but the work will still go ahead, it emerged yesterday.

The InterContinental Regency Bahrain was due to close for seven-and-a-half months for a multi-million dollar revamp in time for a grand re-opening to coincide with New Year's Day 2010.

Hotel public relations manager Ryan Advincula said the renovation would still be carried out, without closing the hotel.

"We will soon be undergoing an extensive renovation," he told the GDN. "We are currently in the process of agreeing the final logistics and will come up with further information in due course."

General manager James McDonald told the GDN last December that the hotel would have state-of-the-art meetings and events facilities as well as new food and beverage outlets as part of the revamp.

He said these would include a steak house, Lebanese and Italian restaurants and a sophisticated and modern entertainment venue.

A multi-functional and multipurpose convention centre would also replace the former swimming pool deck.

Mr McDonald said the property first opened its doors in 1981 and since technology had overtaken the industry as time had passed, it was thought a renovation was overdue.

He said the revamp would include rooms and public areas, with considerable investment in upgrading the technical infrastructure, and keeping compliant with fast changing environmental requirements.

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