Park Central Converts Top Floors Into Exec Club Rooms

<B> Park Central Converts Top Floors Into Exec Club Rooms</B>

By Robert Selwitz

New York's Park Central hotel has launched a $70 million renovation, including an executive-level section featuring business services. Over the next 15 months, the property will upgrade about 1,057 rooms and public spaces.

The top five of the hotel's 25 floors will be converted into an Executive Club, featuring separate checkin plus a lounge offering breakfast, evening cocktails and a number other amenities, said director of sales and marketing Thomas McCaffrey.

The 250 executive club rooms, which will be available for a small premium, will feature ergonomically designed chairs, a spacious work desk and fax machines. All rooms will offer Internet access via in-room television, dataports on all direct dial phones and voice mail.

While the 68-year-old hotel always has enjoyed a superior midtown location at 7th Avenue between 55 and 56 Streets, the property in recent years primarily has been filled up by leisure groups, according to McCaffrey. "We know business travelers require a quieter environment, with full services such as room service--which we have not been offering," he said. "When work is finished, room service and a new bar will be available, in addition to our restaurant."

During construction, standard rates will be in the $129 to $139 range. Upon completion, the hotel plans to raise the price to approximately $185, "making us competitive with the Sheraton, Hilton, Marriott and similar three-to-four star properties," McCaffrey said.

Although the entire improvement project will take 15 months, McCaffrey said "more than three quarters of the hotel will be back in service, and the Executive Club will be ready to receive its first guests by September.