Swiss hotel to open a 223 room property in Westlands

Corporate News

A building under construction in the Westlands area of Nairobi. Swiss based Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts will open its first property in Nairobi mid next year. FILE  Nation Media Group

By BD REPORTER

In Summary

• “Our debut in Kenya will also be a springboard for possible expansion into other East African nations as we strengthen our brand presence across the Sub-Saharan region.”
• “Visitor numbers to Kenya are expected to increase with growth driven by China, Russia, the Middle East, India and neighbouring African nations,” said Alan O’Dea, Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts' senior vice-president for Africa.

Swiss-based Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts will open its first property in Nairobi in the middle of next year, in a show of confidence in the future of Kenya's hospitality sector.

The 223-key Mövenpick Hotel & Residences in Nairobi’s Westlands area is scheduled for completion in mid-2016.

The property is owned by Golf Course Hotel, which confirmed to Businessdailyafrica.com that the hotel is undergoing internal finishing ahead of its launch next year.

The facility will target business travellers and the affluent local community alike, but will also offer 54 spacious contemporary one- and two-bedroom apartments targeting long-stay couples and families.

“Visitor numbers to Kenya are expected to increase with growth driven by China, Russia, the Middle East, India and neighbouring African nations,” Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts' senior vice-president for Africa Alan O’Dea said in a statement.

READ: Global hotel brand Sheraton announces Kenya entry

The hotel joins key names in Westlands such as the Villa Rosa Kempinski and the Sankara, among others, which could have a short-term impact on revenue per room.

“While this has put pressure on revenue per available in the short term, the forecast upswing in inbound arrivals and the Kenyan government’s proactive approach to promoting business tourism set the scene for strong market growth and we are well placed to capitalise on this positive trend with the opening of Mövenpick Hotel & Residences Nairobi.”

Brands such as Radisson Blu which is being developed by Rezidor Group and Four Points by Sheraton are the among the latest entrants.

POSSIBLE EXPANSION.

“Our debut in Kenya will also be a springboard for possible expansion into other East African nations as we strengthen our brand presence across the Sub-Saharan region.

“The hospitality landscape in Nairobi is evolving with the arrival of new design-led upscale hotels giving legacy properties a run for their money,” said O’Dea.