Arora International

Arora International Hotels has announced today that it is working in partnership with the Surrey County Cricket Club to open a 170 bed four-star hotel at the Brit Oval in time for the Ashes in 2009. This exciting project is currently in the early stages of planning and local consultation.

“Our vision for this Arora hotel at the Brit Oval is to combine the very best of Arora with the latest technology and comforts for an exceptional stay. Can you imagine anything better than a room with a view at the Brit Oval!” said Surinder Arora, chairman of Arora International Hotels

All the bedrooms will be air-conditioned and one wing of the hotel will have the added benefit of larger, superior dual purpose rooms, doubling up to provide corporate boxes on match days. A roof top restaurant is planned with views of the pitch.

The proposals involve the improvement of existing facilities at the Pavilion end of the ground, with the creation of a new integrated stand and hotel design. By demolishing the existing Surrey Tavern, the front entrance to the ground will be completely opened up and finished with an elegant piazza, allowing the original Pavilion building to be fully appreciated by visitors and passers by. The current Lock and Laker stands will be replaced with a new stand built to house an additional 2,000 seats, whilst the new four star hotel is planned to back onto the stand.

Paul Sheldon, Chief Executive of Surrey County Cricket Club, stressed the significance of these developments:

“There is intense pressure on all grounds that host International cricket to provide high quality facilities for both members and visitors. It is therefore vital that the Brit Oval continues to strive to produce the best viewing and spectator facilities of any cricket stadium in the world. With this in mind, it is our intention to be in the strongest possible position to maintain and improve our standing in this regard in the coming years.

We are deeply fortunate to have found Arora International Hotels as our partner in this proposed project, which would benefit not only the Brit Oval, but also contribute greatly to the standing and regeneration of our local area.”

Other exciting projects for Arora International Hotels include the Spring 2008 launch of Sofitel Heathrow Terminal 5. The company has strong sporting connections and chairman Surinder Arora is also deputy chairman of the exclusive Wentworth golf club.

Deborah Parritt
+44 (0)20 7483 0030