THE popular Port Elizabeth beachfront Protea Marine hotel is undergoing a R20m upgrade. The alterations include 12 new ultra-luxurious loft rooms on the top floor, an additional 13 rooms, renovated first floor rooms and additional three boardrooms - one with equipment for video conferencing. The hotel will also boast a small gym and an additional parking area at the back of the building. Improvements to the pool deck and the entrance to the hotel started last year and the contractors - WBHO builders - are pushing hard to have everything ready to open at the end of September. Trevor Lombard, owner of Port Elizabeth Hotel Group, said: "I believe the Marine will now be up to the standard I feel that it should be". "The loft rooms will be spacious with a work station and shower facilities on the lower level and the bedroom and main bathroom on the upper level. These rooms will be very luxurious as there is an increasing demand for up-market accommodation in Port Elizabeth". (Miguel de Sousa)
