Hilton Worldwide signs three hotels in Africa
Hilton Worldwide has revealed at the ongoing African Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF) that it has signed new properties and extensions in three African countries.
The move is in alignment with the company’s expansion strategy as it seeks to double its footprint from its existing 39 hotels to more than 80 hotels in the next three to five years.
Among the new hotels agreed is Africa’s first modular build hotel - the 280 guest-room Hilton Garden Inn in the Ghanaian capital of Accra, a concept that Hilton first premiered in 2014 through a partnership with CIMC Modular Building Systems.
Other deals see the creation of Africa’s tallest hotel in Nairobi, while Hilton will also manage the recently signed Legend Curio at Lagos Airport.
Hilton Worldwide senior vice president development, EMEA Patrick Fitzgibbon said in a statement: “Having been present in Africa for more than 50 years we’re proud to have remained at the forefront of pioneering hotel growth on the continent.
"This year at AHIF we’re breaking new ground in the region with the announcement of our first modular build hotel, a fast-paced construction solution that we feel has huge potential in Africa, with quicker returns for investors and a world-class hospitality experience for guests."
Modular construction can be used to drive hotel development offering benefits including faster development, streamlined design and cost efficiencies.
The process involves assembling portions of the hotel - including guest rooms and hallways - in China, before transporting them to the final site for completion, thereby significantly reducing the time taken for construction.
More details about the hotels on on the next page...
Hilton Garden Inn Accra Liberation Road, Ghana
The hotel is being developed under a management agreement with Independence Properties Ltd, whose majority shareholder is Trasacco Estates Development Company Ltd. With a planned opening in 2018, this will be the first Hilton Garden Inn in Ghana.
Ian Morris, director of Independence Properties, and CEO of Trasacco Estates Development Company said: “After building a number of three star plus properties in West Africa the option to go modular and improve on room quality, project delivery and minimise construction risk was warmly embraced by our development, design and construction teams and we feel is the future of the industry."
Located on Liberation Road the hotel will feature three restaurants and amenities offered at each Hilton Garden Inn location, including complimentary high speed Wi-Fi throughout the hotel, 24-hour business and fitness centres, alongside four adjustable meeting rooms and a 450m2 ballroom.
Hilton Nairobi Upper Hill, Kenya
A management agreement with Jabavu Village Ltd and White Lotus Projects will see Hilton create Africa’s tallest building in Kenya. Standing 330m high, Hilton Nairobi Upper Hill is due to open in 2020, as a 255 guest-room and suite hotel in Kenya’s capital.
It will offer multiple food and beverage outlets, including a relaxing poolside bar, speciality smokehouse and grill restaurant, lobby dining area with landscaped deck and a boutique rooftop bar.
Curio, The Legend, Lagos Airport, Nigeria
Having previously announced the signing of Curio, The Legend, Lagos Airport, Hilton has also confirmed that an additional 76 guest rooms will be added to the hotel bringing the room count up to 130-keys and further strengthening its expansion in the country.
The hotel, due to open during 2017 will be the first within the airport environment giving guests and airline passengers ease of access to the airport's facilities.