Capital Plaza – Crowne Plaza, same hotel

Crowne Plaza is now Capital Plaza.

However Chairman of Allied Hotels Limited, and founder of the Issa Nicholas Group, Issa Nicholas, still retains majority ownership of the hotel. Capital Plaza’s Marketing Director, Maxine Richards told Newsday the change in name, and signage, was a temporary measure.

One deemed necessary by management because “effective October 15, 2012, the hotel known as the Crowne Plaza Trinidad (ceased) to be a franchisee of Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts.”

“The company has decided to re-brand its operating business, and is currently finalising arrangements with a leading global hotel chain...The hotel will operate as the Capital Plaza Hotel (because) we need to be independent during the transition,” Richards explained.

In a letter dated October 17, 2012 and signed by Richards, she assured the hotel’s clients that Nicholas had given his assurance “there will be no change in the management of the hotel. We are committed to providing the highest standards of guest accommodation and event management services to our customers with the usual, caring and professional style that we’ve become known for over the last 40 years.”

Newsday understands most customers made telephone inquiries about the name change, but Richards insisted they “are happy and satisfied with our level of service” and since room rates remain unchanged, the name change has not affected business at Capital Plaza.