Carlson Rezidor to open second Radisson Blu hotel in Nairobi

New York-based hotel group Carlson Rezidor is set to open a second high-end Radisson Blu hotel in Nairobi in 2016 on a property adjacent to State House. PHOTO | COURTESY 

In Summary

• Earlier this year, the chain opened its first Nairobi hotel, with 271 rooms at Upper Hill.
• Carlson Rezidor has 65 hotels in 27 African countries with 30 in operation and 35 still under development.
• Carlson Rezidor group opened eight hotels in Africa in 2015, three of them on the same day.

By OTIATO GUGUYU
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New York-based hotel group Carlson Rezidor is set to open a second high-end Radisson Blu hotel in Nairobi in 2016 on a property adjacent to State House.

The property, with 123 units, is Carlson Rezidor’s third project in Nairobi and the group’s fifth Radisson Blu brand in Africa.

Earlier this year, the chain opened its first Nairobi hotel, with 271 rooms, in Upper Hill.

GLOBAL FOOTPRINT

By the end of the year, five other openings are expected including Park Inn Nairobi —a business and leisure facility— as well as other Radisson Blu hotels in Lomé (Togo), Maputo (Mozambique) and Nigeria.

Carlson Rezidor has 65 hotels in 27 African countries, with 30 in operation and 35 still under development.

Making the announcement during the African Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF) Rezidor CEO Wolfgang Neumann said Africa is a powerhouse driven by economic growth, rapid urbanisation and favourable demographics, but facing an undersupply of quality hotel rooms.

“Africa offers huge opportunities for growth. It plays a key role in our long-term strategy targeting asset-light and sustainable growth in EMEA and particularly in emerging markets. We want to be a leading player in the travel and tourism sector across the continent,” Mr Neumann said.

Carlson Rezidor group opened eight hotels in Africa in 2015, three of them on the same day.

It also made its entrance to the Indian Ocean with two resort openings in Mauritius.

CARLSON REZIDOR BRANDS

Carlson Rezidor aims to establish its core brand Radisson Blu as the leading upper-upscale brand in African capital cities and economic hubs.

Its sister brand Park Inn, a young and dynamic mid-market brand,  is set for scaled growth in high potential primary and secondary markets.

Additional segments are covered through the new luxury Quorvus Collection and the lifestyle select brand Radisson Red.

“In 2015, we signed the first Radisson Red hotel in EMEA in Cape Town which will be very prominently located at V&A waterfront and open in 2017, leading the way for a further roll-out of Radisson Red in African urban destinations”, chief development officer of Rezidor Elie Younes said.

Carlson Rezidor opened its first hotel in Africa in 2000, the Radisson Blu Waterfront Hotel in Cape Town, which serves as its base for the group’s operations.