The hotel revolution

Kenya: A quiet revolution is taking place in the country. In the last three years, a number of international hotel chains have made the country – and Nairobi in particular – their base for venturing into the region.

Villa Rosa Kempinski, Nairobi Hemingways, The Tribe, Boma and the upcoming Radisson Blu are among the top hotels that have gotten tongues wagging for raising the lifestyle bar higher.

Smaller outfits that stand alongside the giants include Dusit D2, Eka, Sankara and Ole Sereni. With dwindling fortunes in traditional tourism products, the hotels have become the new frontiers for indulging savvy spenders who want more than just a room. In February, Villa Rosa Kempinski stirred the market when it opened its state of the art presidential suite to any interested party with Sh2.4 million to spare.

Whoever spent their Valentine’s night (the name was never made public) in the suite that occupies half of the top floor had access to at least four bedrooms, multiple living rooms, a guest holding area, a kitchen and a barbeque station.

The much publicised package dubbed the ‘Night of Diamonds’ also came with some extras – takeaway diamonds and sapphires.

The offer was snapped up before the ink could dry with a few others waiting on the sidelines just in case the first booking was cancelled. Such exclusive packages go on to show the length the new kids on the block are willing to go in order to attract high end clientele.

 Gateway

“Nairobi is a key gateway city in the region, a social and commercial hub and thus is ideal in terms of passenger traffic. There was a need for a luxury market that we filled. Our rich heritage of impeccable personal service and superb hospitality is complemented by the exclusivity and individuality of our properties,” states Kempinski’s General Manager, Manish Nambiar.

Started in 1897, Kempinski is the world’s oldest hotel group managing 73 top notch hotels in over 30 countries.

Two years ago this April, another high-end hotel opened deep in the residential suburb of Karen. Nairobi Hemingways is an architectural masterpiece patterned after the old plantation houses in Southern Georgia. However, the hotel has also made good use of African themes in its rooms to resonate with the nearby Ngong Hills that were dear to travel enthusiast Ernest Hemingway, after whom the hotel chain is named.

 

Each of the rooms is aptly named after famous Kenyan and settler figures that influenced Kenya’s modern history.

In the main dining area are photo renditions of famous motion pictures that opened Kenya to the world such as Born Free, Out of African and Lion King. Hemingways is the only hotel in the region to introduce a round-the-clock butler service and has hosted a number of international celebrities since its opening.

According to General Manager Simon Hudson, the butler service is a chargeable extra in other hotels around the world but was introduced at the hotel to create uniformity of service.

“This was a big investment in terms of time and money. We had to get a butler trainer from the UK for three months prior to the hotel’s opening. The service has been well received by our local and international guests,” says Hudson.

 Butlers

The hotel has 15 butlers who will handle all guests’ needs including such humble tasks as polishing shoes or obtaining air tickets. Hudson goes on to relate a guest’s experience with the new service.

“We had a guest who wanted to see how genuine and efficient the service was. He decided to call the butler at half past two in the morning with instructions to make him a cup of cappuccino. He could hardly believe it when the same was delivered within two minutes and fifteen seconds.”

Coming up along Elgon Road in Upper Hill is Radisson Blu, a slice of yet another international outfit, the Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group. With over 1,000 hotels in 110 countries, it is among the largest hospitality outfits in the world.

With opening anticipated in the second half of this year, Radisson Blu will add another 271 rooms to the city’s accommodation portfolio with its signature New York Mansion theme. According to the hotel’s Sales and Marketing Director Vicky Muyanga, Nairobi continues to see an increased demand for accommodation as the number of regional offices setting up in the capital increases. The lifestyle, she says must match the modern international traveller.

“When entering a new market, it’s important to look at the bigger sphere of influence surrounding a hotel. While bringing a new international hotel brand to Kenya, we will also work closely to develop strategic partnerships with key local suppliers to contribute to the growth of both tourism and a better business environment in the country,” states Muyanga.

In spite of the recent spate of terrorism in the country, players in the hospitality industry continue to pour billions of shillings into hotels.

Last week, Ole Sereni Hotel announced a deal in which it will partner with Kenya Commercial Bank in financing an expansion programme at the cost of Sh1.9 billion.

The hotel offers guests an unhindered view of Nairobi National Park, the only such animal sanctuary in the world that is within a capital city.

 

“The park is our unique selling point. Guests here enjoy a mix of two worlds. On one hand you have traffic zooming in the main artery feeding the city to and from the airport, while on the other you can enjoy the African sunset while watching wildlife from the comfort of your room,” says Aziz Mussaji, the hotel’s marketing and communications executive.

According to the Chief Executive of the Kenya Association of Hotel Oowners and Caterers (Coast) Sam Ikwae, the hospitality industry in Kenya has redefined lifestyle in order to stay afloat at a time when the industry is faced with terrorism related challenges.

“The lifestyles displayed by the new hotels are commendable for an industry that sprung up without proper systems,” says Ikwae.