Landmark, one of Shenzhen's oldest five-star hotels, has been closed for renovation.

"We'll probably be closed until early May and then reopen," said a source at Hong Kong-based Cathay International Holdings Ltd., which owns the hotel.

Opened in 1991 and located in the downtown area of Shenzhen, Landmark is among the city's oldest deluxe hotels.

The renovation will see the hotel's rooms redesigned and enlarged.

"The renovated Landmark will reflect the market trend toward larger rooms for five-star hotels in Shenzhen and will also meet the Platinum Five-Star hotel rating of China National Tourism Administration, which is the highest standard for hotels in China," said the source.

After completion, Landmark will have 235 rooms, each of which will be at least 40 square meters. In addition, the hotel will have a new and enlarged banqueting facility, a new executive lounge, a new Italian restaurant and a new spa. The existing common areas of the hotel will also be refurbished, according to the source.

Cathay's budget for the renovation is more than US$10 million.

"Cathay will finance the renovation from existing cash resources and bank financing," the source said.
 
(Shenzhen Daily January 26, 2005)