Hoteliers take advantage of low tourist numbers to undertake renovations

By Philip Mwakio

Mombasa, Kenya: One of the leading five star hotels at the Coast, the  Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort & Spa, is on course to complete a $10 million (Sh860 million) refurbishment.

The completion comes amid increased competition from new hotels.

 Several hotels at the Coast have taken the cue and have either refurbished or partly renovated, especially during  the low tourist season.

 In an interview with The Standard On Saturday, Sarova Coast Group General Manager, Mohamed Hersi, said already 101 rooms have been fully renovated and given a complete new lease of life.

 “We have already completed 101 rooms and unveiled them to our loyal clients. They include sea front, all designed with quality and family comfort  in mind incorporating elegant, splendid, comfortable and modern inspired designs  with technology  to match,’’ Hersi said.

He added that, they are earmarking 304 rooms and have embarked on an additional 66 rooms, as they carry out the work in phases.

“We are ready and are eager to put Kenya’s name on the world map as a prime location with world class hotels in operation. We wish to assure the travel world that we are ready to fly with them,’’ he said. The second phase that will see the complete conversion of the 66 rooms will be complete by June.

“There is a lot of competition in the market; there are a lot of new properties and particularly at the Coast and the region in general, the pressure to refurbish and upgrade is even more acute than perhaps other parts of the country,’’ Hersi said.

 He explained that everything is a lot newer in this market.

“We are getting  very demanding consumers;  and to remain relevant, we have to invest and keep up to emerging standards, which we at the Sarova Group have done with uttermost diligence and faith as we believe in ensuring that our customers get satisfaction when and if they chose to stay with  us,’’ Hersi said.

 Hersi observed that it is hospitality industry best practice to upgrade the product on a regular basis to ensure that the hotel remains a prime product.

Apart from Sarova Whitesands, other hotels, which have carried out complete refurbishments, include the Leopard Beach Hotel in the South Coast and the Jacaranda Indian Ocean Beach Resort & Spa whose repairs are being done in phases.