THE Ritz-Carlton finally opened its doors yesterday - two years after it was completed in August 1991.
However, the long-running saga of struggle and set-backs that has dogged the prestige Central property - even suggestions that it be knocked down without ever opening - appear to have some value.
The troubles since its original owner, Ginzu Golf Services of Japan, collapsed have kept alive public interest in the hotel, and when its doors finally swung open yesterday, there was no shortage of people rushing to view the plush interior.
Ritz-Carlton general manager Eric Waldburger said: ''In Hong Kong, when people talk about you, it is good.'' He admitted that the adverse publicity had helped turn the hotel into something of an attraction.
''The hotel has been watched closely by the press for a long time. When you have so much publicity and gossip surrounding the property, it can sometimes work favourably for you now that the worse is over.
''If anything, the long history of this hotel is going to attract a lot of people.'' After its completion, the hotel was enmeshed in mounting debts and legal wrangles when Ginzu Golf Services of Japan went into receivership.
