By PATRICK GITHINJI
Panari Hotel has diversified its business by opening a multi-billion serviced apartment in the exclusive Westlands Area as demand for family holiday destinations peak.
Located on Waiyaki Way, the prime property seeks to tap into the expatriate community from adjoining areas including Gigiri, the home of United Nations in Africa.
Besides attracting Nairobi’s creme de la crËme, Westlands, long known as the satellite market for expatriates, is also a major hub for business multinationals and financial institutions.
While located away from the hustle and bustle associated with the city, Westlands is also a few minutes drive from the Central Business District.
Industry estimates show that Westlands alone has 10 serviced apartments’ providers.
HOME EXPERIENCE
According to Panari Hotel Managing Director Patrick Marekia, the hotel’s serviced apartments are aimed at providing comfort to clients seeking for total home experience.
"This way, our clients savour the best of our services while shaping their stay to fit specific family environment," Mr Marekia said.
"From our years of experience in the hospitality industry, we have observed a shift in client lifestyle towards serviced apartments and homely environments," he said.
"We are witnessing a growing number of clients increasingly asking for a home experience," he said, adding that this demand has seen most homes within Nairobi converted into home-stay serviced apartments.
"Our target is the growing middle class, professionals and business class who want to take off on holiday and desire a different experience from what hotels offer," Marekia said.
Besides its high-class clientele, Marekia says the decision to put up the apartments in Westlands was also influenced by the region’s open sewer system – which is not prone to frequent blockages as is the case with many areas in Nairobi.
The development comprises 10 fully furnished units. Eight of the 10 units pack up four bedrooms each while the remaining two have three bedrooms.
SOCIAL AMENITIES
The facility is finished with state-of-the-art fittings imported. Besides having been fitted with solar panels, the building is also designed to harvest rain water, which is stored in tanks, which is later purified before use for watering the flower garden.
Marekia says since opening of the apartments, the booking has been high and it is becoming popular, thanks to its closeness to the malls, international schools, hospitals and other social amenities.
While serving as a home, the apartments also provide conference facilities and a state-of-the-art business centre. Each of the room has a Wi-Fi connection.
"We are hopeful that the ongoing road expansion will open us further to more people," he said. Marekia says another target clientele for this facility are families that are looking for serenity, business people can hold meetings with their clients.
"We are also targeting the clientele which is looking for medical tourism. When one person is for instance admitted for a month and their family members want to be close to them, they would be better off staying in the aprtments rather than in a hotel, which may have limited space," he said.
As part of the future plans, Panari intends to expand into lodges business. Among the area that they are looking is northern Kenya.
