Singaporean lodging firm to manage new hotel in Nairobi's Kilimani

 

Vincent Miccolis,  Ascott Limited's  Managing Director and Ambrose Dabani -CEO and Principal Officer Britam Life Assurance shake hands after signing the deal. [James Wanzala, Standard]

The Ascott Limited, the wholly owned lodging arm of CapitaLand Investment, has announced the signing of Citadines Westview Nairobi, a 160-room hotel set to rise in Kilimani.

The property will be owned by Britam and managed by Ascott, complementing the existing 162-room Somerset Westview Nairobi serviced apartments along Nyangumi Road.

The development will create a dual-brand offering aimed at serving both short- and extended-stay guests across a wider range of traveller segments.

Citadines Westview Nairobi, scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2028, is targeting corporate and leisure travellers, as well as meetings and conferences demand.

“Nairobi is one of Africa’s most important commercial and lifestyle hubs, with strong fundamentals supporting continued growth in hospitality demand,” said Vincent Miccolis.

“This signing reinforces our commitment to the Kenyan market and reflects our focus on expanding in cities where we see sustained demand from both business and leisure travellers.”

Miccolis added that the deal strengthens Ascott’s partnership with Britam, combining institutional investment with global operating expertise.

“By introducing Citadines alongside Somerset, we are able to offer a broader range of accommodation options that cater to different guest segments, while maintaining the quality and flexibility that define our brands.”

Ambrose Dabani welcomed the partnership, saying: “This investment reflects our long-term confidence in Nairobi as a key economic and commercial hub in the region. We are focused on high-quality, resilient assets that deliver sustainable value over time.”

He added that partnering with Ascott brings together strong real estate fundamentals and experienced global management, positioning the development to meet rising demand for professionally managed accommodation.

The signing comes as Nairobi strengthens its position as a regional business hub, driven by increased corporate activity, infrastructure growth and improved international connectivity factors fueling demand for flexible, high-quality stays.

The project adds to Ascott’s footprint in Kenya, where it already operates Somerset Westview Nairobi, with more properties in the pipeline.

Across Africa, Ascott has secured 10 new signings in the past year, with plans to grow its portfolio from two properties to 23, representing over 2,800 units in 10 cities across eight countries by 2028.

Beyond Kenya, the company is expanding in key markets including Morocco, Nigeria and Ethiopia, with two new properties planned in Addis Ababa’s Bole district.

Citadines Westview Nairobi will feature hotel rooms, studios and one-bedroom apartments, alongside amenities such as food and beverage outlets, meeting and conference facilities, a swimming pool and a fully equipped gym.

The F&B offering will complement Somerset Westview Nairobi’s Jabu rooftop bar and La Mascotte restaurant.