Best Western opens Sh1bn Nairobi hotel

An aerial view of Nairobi. The city had a bed capacity of about 10,000, according to the data released early last year. FILE  NATION MEDIA GROUP

By WANGUI MAINA

US-based hotel chain Best Western has opened shop in Kenya to capture the growing luxury and business travel business.

The hotel, which is located in Nairobi’s Kilimani, will increase bed capacity in the city that has recently seen multi-billion-shilling investments from new entrants and existing facilities.

Best Western Premier has added 96 new rooms in the market joining other investors who have moved to address the demand for accommodation in the city.

Best Western will manage the 96-roomed property on behalf of Kamcan Properties Limited, a Kenyan company by two families—which bought land that previously housed Kwality Hotel to establish the multi-billion shilling facility.

The hotel is said to have cost Sh1.07 billion ($12.5 million). It joins other global chains like Radisson, Thai-based DusitD2 and Easy Hotels planning to set up in Kenya in the next two years. Villa Rosa Kempinski, the 200-roomed multi-billion-shilling property is expected to open its doors in August.

In May, Hemingways Nairobi opened its Sh1.5 billion 45-bed boutique hotel, in Karen. These hotels, are looking to cash in on the growth of tourism sector anchored on the rise in conference, business and leisure activities.

Nairobi had a bed capacity of about 10,000, according to the data released early last year. Kenya Association of Hotel Keepers and Caterers chief executive Mike Macharia said Nairobi can accommodate another 15,000 to 20,000 beds.