Comfort Suites to get comfier with $2million upgrade

(CNS): Owners of the Comfort Suites on Seven Mile Beach have been working on a US$2 million upgrade to the hotel’s rooms and facilities during the slow season. The hotel started renovations to its guest rooms in August and willalso be adding a gymnasium, a private business centre and a new breakfast room in time for the winter season, according to a release. General Manager Thomas Mason said that local staff working at the hotel had been kept on in order to help with the renovations and more people had been hired than layed off during the traditional low season as aresult of the upgrade.

Mason said that 22 of the hotel's premier business rooms which overlook the swimming pool area are being done up with new fittings and new technology.

"This is just the first phase of the renovation," Mason said, explaining that phase two will start after the winter season, when all of the property's remaining rooms will be completely remodelled. "This is a very extensive renovation which speaks to our owners' commitment to both the hotel and the Cayman Islands," Mason added.

The ownership group of the hotel comprises Caymanians and Americans and it said that 90 per cent of the property's staff is Caymanian. To avoid laying people off during the upgrade Comfort Suites said it had “re-purposed them” so they have been able to help with the renovations keeping them in work during the slower summer and autumn months.

"We have actually hired people rather than laying them off, and we are happy to play our part to keep the Caymanian economy ticking during a traditionally soft season," Mason said adding that the work is due to end in early December and had been carried out with minimal disruption to guests.

"We are constantly listening to our customers and take their needs seriously … so we have responded with a great workout area, breakfast in an even more enjoyable environment and cosy rooms with every modern convenience," he said.