Industry news

Marriott Hotels debuts in Lagos, Nigeria

21 May | Hotel openings

Marriott Hotels has opened a new property in the Nigerian city of Lagos, marking the brand’s debut in the West African country.

Named as Lagos Marriott Hotel Ikeja, the hotel has 206 guestrooms and 44 suites designed to suit the needs of modern travellers.

The rooms feature contemporary décor and in-room amenities, deluxe walk-in showers and spa-like lighting.

Lagos Marriott Hotel Ikeja also boasts 1,380m2 of space dedicated for hosting small and large-scale events, including a ballroom, six breakout rooms and nine event rooms.

The meeting and events spaces are equipped with rewritable surfaces, magnetic panels and shared-screen technology, pivotable walls, soft seating and modular furniture and moveable partitions.

Guests can enjoy regional and international cuisine at the hotel’s restaurants.

The Azure Grill Restaurant serves a variety of dishes on an authentic charcoal grill, while the WAKAME offers Asian-Fusion cuisine from China, Japan, Thailand and Northern Indian.

Additionally, the Koriko & Co restaurant with live cooking stations provides all-day dining buffet.

Lagos Marriott Hotel Ikeja also features The Greatroom, M Club for Elite members and Club paying guests, a spa, a fitness centre and an outdoor pool.

Marriott International – Sub Saharan Africa area vice-president Volker Heiden said: “We are excited to have opened the Lagos Marriott Hotel Ikeja, bringing Marriott Hotels’ transformed vision to Nigeria.

“Lagos is a vibrant and bustling city with much to see and do for leisure and business travellers.

“What better place to debut the Marriott Hotels brand in Nigeria with its thoughtful service and intuitive spaces that enable guests to be inspired during their stay.”

20 May | Deals

MCR acquires Hilton Garden Inn Beaufort in South Carolina, US

US-based hotel owner-operator MCR has acquired the three-star Hilton Garden Inn Beaufort hotel located in Lowcountry region of South Carolina.

Financial details of the acquisition have not been disclosed.

Hilton Garden Inn Beaufort is situated nearby popular destinations such as Hilton Head Island, The Bay Street waterfront and the US Marine Corps Air Station.

The hotel features 115 pet-friendly rooms equipped with mini fridges, microwaves and coffeemakers. The property has all-day dining, room service, and restaurants in walking distance.

It also offers a 24-hour sundry and convenience store, free high-speed Wi-Fi, a 24-hour fitness room, an outdoor pool and lounge and a business centre.

In addition, Hilton Garden Inn Beaufort provides 1,500ft2 of meeting and event space across two rooms and complimentary parking for guests.

Furthermore, the hotel features an on-site restaurant and bar, The Garden Grille. It serves cooked-to-order hot breakfasts and American classics, such as pasta, steak, ribs, sandwiches and salads.

18 May | Hotel openings

Marriott opens Aloft and Element brand hotels in Dubai

Marriott Bonvoy has expanded its portfolio in the UAE with the opening of two hotels, Aloft Al Mina and Element Al Mina, in Dubai.

The two new hotels are located on Sheikh Rashid Road in the Al Raffa neighbourhood Dubai.

Aloft Al Mina has 192 guestrooms and suites that are equipped with complimentary Wi-Fi, 55in flatscreen televisions and bathrooms with walk-in showers and more.

The hotel also offers signature brand amenities such as W XYZ Bar, the Re:mix Lounge for locals and travellers, and a 24/7 Re:charge fitness centre with advanced equipment, as well as the all-day restaurant, MIX, an outdoor infinity pool, and events and meeting spaces.

Element Al Mina is designed for holidaymakers, business travellers and longer staying guests. It features a collection of 96 studios, and one and two-bedroom apartments.

All the apartments in the hotel feature a fully equipped kitchen, a spa-inspired bathroom, oversized closets and the signature Heavenly bed.

Additionally, the hotel boasts a compact meeting room and an advanced fitness centre that is open 24 hours.

17 May | Hotel openings

Element by Westin brand debuts in Philadelphia, US

Marriott International’s Element by Westin brand has opened a new 460-room eco-conscious hotel for extended-stay travellers in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US.

Called Element Philadelphia, the new hotel has been developed by Conshohoken-based Chestlen Development. It is designed to suit the needs of families, groups and business travellers.

Element Philadelphia offers rooms in different sizes that range from a standard guest room, to deluxe and executive guest rooms, to one-bedroom suites.

Each room comes with fully equipped kitchens, Westin Heavenly beds and spa-inspired bathrooms fitted with rain showers.

The hotel also features a business centre, Motion Fitness centre, guest laundry services, Sky Lobby with open seating for work and relaxation and other safe, socially distanced amenities for guests.

Several dining options are also provided at the hotel, such as a complimentary Rise breakfast, Relax evening reception, and grab-and-go meals, snacks and beverages from the Restore gourmet pantry.

Guests can also opt to create home-cooked meals in their rooms.

The hotel’s more than 45,000ft2 event space will be made available soon for indoor meetings, events and celebrations.

In addition, Element Philadelphia offers a Bikes to Borrow programme and a pet-friendly programme for its guests to explore the city on their own.

14 May | Deals

Rosewood Hotels & Resorts to operate new hotel in Mexico

Real estate development firm Grupo Sordo Madaleno has appointed Rosewood Hotels & Resorts to operate a new hotel set to open in 2024 in the Polanco district of Mexico.

Named Rosewood Mexico City, the new hotel is designed by domestic architecture firm Sordo Madaleno Arquitectos. It will be located in the tower of mixed-use development Antara.

The hotel will have 133 rooms, including 35 suites, a living room, four food and beverage outlets and a specialty dining venue. A 1,270mspace will be dedicated for meetings and events.

In addition, the building will have Rosewood’s wellness concept Asaya, which will feature a fitness and wellbeing centre, two swimming pools, eight treatment rooms and changing rooms and hydrotherapy zones.

Rosewood Hotel Group CEO Sonia Cheng said: “We are thrilled to introduce our A Sense of Place philosophy to visitors and locals with the opening of Rosewood Mexico City, wherein the hotel will embody the distinct sensibilities of the destination all while presenting one-of-a-kind ambience and style combined with unparalleled quality and personalised service.”

Rosewood Hotels & Resorts runs a total of 27 luxury hotels, resorts and residences in 16 countries while 24 properties are currently under development.

12 May | Deals

Kasada to acquire Safari Hotels & Conference Centre in Namibia

Hospitality investment firm Kasada Capital Management has agreed to acquire the 414-key Safari Hotels and Conference Centre located in Windhoek, Namibia.

The acquisition will take place via Kasada Hospitality Fund. The financial details of the deal were not disclosed.

Considered the largest hotel complex in Namibia, Safari Hotels and Conference Centre houses Safari Court Hotel and Safari Hotel with 215 and 199 rooms and suites, respectively.

It also includes meetings, incentives, conferencing, exhibitions venue named the Safari Court Conference Centre.

Kasada will work with its strategic partner Accor and its international hotel brands portfolio to rebrand the acquired hotel. The plan is to leverage management skills, expertise and marketing resources.

After rebranding, the Safari Court Hotel will be Mövenpick and the Safari Hotel will be an ibis Styles.

Kasada will also invest more than N$100m ($8m) to renovate the acquired hotel and upgrade its conference facilities. These conference spaces are said to host local, regional as well as international events in Namibia.

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