SOME S$32 million (US$24.9 million) has been invested in an extreme makeover for Singapore Marriott Hotel, which is said to be the largest-ever refurbishment in the property’s 16-year history.

The hotel’s general manager, Antony Page, said the makeover would see all 372 guestrooms being “stripped bare” and rebuilt, Crossroads Cafe and Marriot Cafe being refreshed, the addition of a new F&B outlet, and the lobby being transformed into an open space, complete with a more prominently positioned front desk.

Phase one, which comprises the lobby's remodelling, has been concluded, while phase two, which includes a major overhaul of Marriott Cafe, Crossroads Cafe and all guestrooms, is now underway and scheduled for completion by April next year.

Phase three will involve technology upgrades and some cosmetic enhancements of the hotel’s meeting facilities. Improvement works on the ballroom will be completed by 2013.

Page said the makeover was necessary to maintain the hotel's competitiveness in Singapore.

“Singapore Marriott Hotel is the crown jewel of Tang Holdings and its owners are committed to maintaining its competitive edge. To cater to increased traffic and ensure five-star standards of service, it was deemed the right time to conduct a major overhaul of the property,” he explained.

When asked if room rates would be adjusted upwards as a consequence of the upgraded hardware, Page said the hotel would “remain competitively priced”.

“We welcomed more than 170,000 guests last year, and even though we do not see such figures this year due to reduced room inventory during the refurbishment, we did see a 12 per cent increase in group business,” he added.