-luxury hotel on schedule to open early next year

LOCATED at Track JW, Mandela Avenue, Georgetown, the Royal International Hotel is expected to offer luxury that is incomparable anywhere in Guyana.

One of the many misconceptions about this lavish establishment is that it is an Asian entity.

According to Chartered Accountant Terrence Jaskaran, just around 85 to 90 per cent of the persons that will be employed by the hotel will be Guyanese.

Speaking on behalf of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Royal International Jason Wang, Jaskaran explained to the Guyana Chronicle that contrary to what is being perceived, most of the businesses there are Guyanese-owned.

The 254-room hotel is slated for an early 2025 opening. Some of its offerings are already in place and is being well received by the public. It will have four restaurants: the Royal Restaurant, the Royal Lounge Restaurant and poolside, the Love and Latte Cafe which is slated for opening soon, and a hot pot, along with the Space Gym and a Gaming Lounge.

Jaskaran mentioned that while the hotel is geared for this official opening, there have been some ‘staged’ openings as more stores and businesses open at the establishment.

He remarked that it is, “An all-in-one experience. So, when people come into the country, it’s not just giving them a place to stay. It’s giving them a place to stay with options as well; things to do in an environment that is safe, and that they don’t have to travel far.

“They can come for entertainment. They can come for food. They can bring their kids. There is also a gaming facility, a kid-friendly gaming facility, a kid zone as well.”
Jaskaran noted that the concept of the hotel was birthed by Wang, and he reminded that in a few interviews, the CEO had stated that on his arrival in Guyana, something he recognised that was missing was a world-class hotel that encompassed an all-in-one experience (places to shop, eat and gym facility) under one roof.

Although construction for this hotel commenced in 2011, there were some setbacks in terms of workers and getting materials, among other difficulties. It was stated that the project kicked off just after COVID-19 emerged in 2020.

The Royal International Hotel, in addition to providing Guyanese with employment across all sectors, is focused on providing quality accommodation to all who pass through their doors.

With Guyana’s rising tourism and hospitality sector, the need for facilities with adequate accommodation grows daily.

Jaskaran underscored that there is not just a need for accommodation, but rather it must be world-class accommodation.

Working hand in hand with accommodation, is the hotel’s location, to which he pointed out, “we’re in the heart of Georgetown — Sheriff Street. We have access to the East Coast, the East Bank, Georgetown. So, it’s one of the few places that is [sic] located centrally in Georgetown where you can access [the] East Bank, [the] East Coast, and Georgetown.”

Additionally, he said: “We don’t have this concept in Guyana. We don’t have a boutique hotel. We have places where you stay and sleep, and then generally you go out, you go somewhere. But the difference is it’s a new concept. You’re coming here and you have an all-in-one experience.”

At the same time, he mentioned that the mall which will be known as the Royal Orchid Mall, is expected to be open completely by September 2025.

According to Jaskaran, the mall will have a food court, as well as two theatres that are in the process of being constructed.

He noted as well that a supermarket will also be opened there soon.