Howard Johnson goes to Sinaia, as well

Paltinis Hotel in Sinaia will become part of the Howard Johnson hotel chain based on a franchise contract in 2002, following modernisation works scheduled to cost $4 million, said Florin ?iganila, general manager of Neo Turism, the company operating the hotel.

Another hotel eyed by Howard Johnson is Bucharest-based Turist, to undergo complex refurbishment works as of next year, said Corina Matea, franchise development manager with Howard Johnson Romania.

Paltinis Hotel was bought by Bucharest-based Baneasa Investment from International SA from Sinaia and was placed in the administration of Neo Turism. Neo Turism and Baneasa Investment are part of a group of companies that includes those administrating Dorobanti, Parc and Turist hotels.

“The modernisation project was worked out by a French company, specialised in refurbishing castles and health spas, considering the Paltinis Hotel has such a spa, as well, so that it will retain the castle look and the characteristics of an old building,” ?iganila added.

The works are likely to begin next spring and take up some six or seven months, with ?iganila hoping it would not be necessary to close the hotel, which has 120 employees at the moment, who would this way find themselves jobless.

Howard Johnson Hotel Chain is planning to expand its business in Romania. Its goal is to include several hotels in its network by 2004, so that it could reach an accommodation capacity of 800 rooms. Of the total rooms, 300 will be in the Bucharest-based Dorobanti hotel complex, to be opened by mid next year, according to Matea.

“We’re currently negotiating with other hotels, as well, but I cannot provide any further details until the negotiations are over,” Howard Johnson official said. Howard Johnson Hotel Chain comprises several categories of hotels: Express Inn, Howard Johnson Inn, Howard Johnson Hotel, Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel.

“The two hotels in Romania will be Plaza-type hotels and will be ranked at three stars plus, even four,” Matea added.