Background
Morning Side Suites, a boutique hotel that prides itself on “personalised hospitality solutions”, is under the management of Fahrenheit Hospitality Limited. Fahrenheit manages a small number of luxury hotels, including Maison Fahrenheit and Tudor House, both also located in Lagos.
Where Is It?
The hotel is located on Victoria Island, one of the major financial and commercial hubs in Lagos. It is situated close to the popular Silverbird Galleria, where thousands of locals find entertainment daily. On a good traffic day, the hotel is about 45 minutes from Murtala Muhammed International Airport, but the traffic is notoriously fickle, and has the potential to increase that trip to around two hours during rush hour. Leave yourself more than enough time to get from the hotel to the airport.
Rooms
The hotel has 38 rooms in total, consisting of two suites on the second floor, 18 Superior and 18 Classic rooms on both the first and ground floors. The suites consist of a bedroom and an adjoining living room complete with two toilets (one each in the living room and bedroom) and a bathroom. Without a shadow of doubt, the concept behind the design of the bathrooms and toilets was efficiency. The bath tub is enclosed in a cubicle, complete with a set of elegant-looking taps and a shower. I was impressed to see an intercom set just inside the cubicle, meaning that nobody has to climb out of a relaxing bath when the phone rings! The major difference between the Superior and Classic rooms is the size. They both have king-size beds with very comfortable mattresses and pillows. The design and colour scheme give the rooms a cosy and elegant look. The rooms all have a tea and coffee station and a 32-inch TV set with several satellite channels. I was informed that all guests are given a password to gain access to the hotel’s Internet facility via Wi-Fi when they check in. A swivel chair and desk are available in case you need to get some work done, and the air-conditioning system was efficient and worked without a hitch.
Restaurants & Bars
The hotel has a vibrant bar and the restaurant boasts a rich menu. Breakfast is complimentary for all guests, with the choice of English, Continental, Nigerian and the Morning Side Suites Special breakfast. That hotel breakfast special consists of tea, juice, a basket of pastries, two eggs, sausage and rice. I went for this option and it was delicious. The bar is open 24 hours a day and non-guests are also welcome, particularly during football season, when games are shown on the 42-inch flat-screen TV. Along with an array of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, the bartender has special recipes for some interesting cocktails, which I decided I’ll go back and try on my next visit.
Meeting & Conference Facilites
The hotel has a fully-equipped conference room that can seat up to 20 delegates. What the conference room lacks in size, it makes up for in the sophistication of its equipment, including a state-of-the-art projector and presentation system.
Leisure
Apart from the gym and the backyard swimming pool which also has a pool bar, the hotel can’t be considered a prime leisure facility. However, the Silverbird Galleria, which is one the most popular entertainment spots in Lagos, is just 100 metres away from the hotel. Further to that, the popular Kuramo Beach, amongst many other attractions, is also not far away.
Verdict
The customer service at Morning Side Suites was very impressive, and the ambience lent itself to a boutique-type feel. I got the sense that I was occupying an exclusive space, and I feel that this property is well worth considering, particularly for business travellers who are looking for a more intimate Lagos hotel experience.
Akintunde Akingbade
Fact File
Contact
Address: 11b Teslim Elias Close, Off Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island
Tel: +2341 277 2046
Email: info@morningsidesuites.com
Web: www.morningsidesuites.com