CHIANG MAI, 9 July 2019: Imperial Mae Ping Hotel closed 29 June for a comprehensive renovation that will take 18 months to complete.
Asset World Corporation, the owner of the hotel, announced the closure locally last April through a statement made to City Life media when it said the property would reopen 31 December 2020.
One of the oldest properties in Chiang Mai that opened for business in 1988, the renovation will focus on rooms, meeting facilities and public areas such as lobby, bars and restaurants.
After 31 years the remake will also extend to back-of-the-house facilities and involve a major refit of the building’s support utilities.
The hotel’s general manager, Peter Schnyder, signed off on the announcement confirming the closure of the hotel that was addressed to the trade. He has since moved to a new hotel posting elsewhere in North Thailand.
A reliable industry source says the veteran hotelier, who for many years was the general manager of the Paradise Resort on Samui Island, has been appointed general manager at the Legend hotel in Chiang Rai effective 1 July.
He replaces David Holden who left the property at the end of May after completing a year as its GM.
The Legend owners have not made an official announcement on the departure of Holden or his replacement.
Finally, Chiang Rai now has a truly professional veteran hotelier as GM in the most forward looking property The Legend Chiang Rai. We do hope soon both the Ministry and TAT will take the cue to place more formidable, professional and active officers as their local directors that could contribute to the sustainable growth of our tourism industry.