Background
Morning Side Suites is owned and managed by Fahrenheit Hospitality and opened in May. Fahrenheit is set up as a ‘hospitality solutions company’ that focuses on hospitality project management, providing solutions, services and training for the hospitality industry. They have four other properties – the Tribeca Loft, Maison Tribeca, Excalibur Hotel and Tribeca Opulence – with only the Excalibur Hotel currently operating, and the others to follow in the near future.
Where is it?
It’s in the heart of the upmarket neighbourhood on Victoria Island. The hotel exists close to the hub of the Lagos night life, as well as a variety of notable shopping malls. The Lagos bar beach is a five-minute drive away, whilst Murtala Muhammed International Airport is a journey of about 40 minutes, depending on traffic.
What’s it like?
It doesn’t seem like much from the outside, but the interior is what’s impressive. It’s very contemporary with modern design and you can’t help but notice the play with colours, the effective use of plants and the mood lighting. On entering, that contemporary theme is enhanced by the glass flanking the reception desk on each side. My Morning Side Suites experience actually kicked off earlier than expected, when I received a phone call prior to arrival, enquiring about my arrival time and whether or not I needed help negotiating the traffic. A good first impression.
Room Facilities
The hotel has 38 rooms over two floors, consisting of 28 standard rooms, eight superior rooms and two suites. An interesting feature of each floor is the presence of a ‘mini-lounge’, seating four to six people with tables and chairs, just as you exit the elevator. It’s something I haven’t seen before and is particularly useful for short meetings with guests you would rather not have within the privacy of your room. I stayed in a superior room and I was impressed with the décor and ample wardrobe space. Other features included a mini-safe, air-conditioning, 32-inch flat-screen HD TV (with selected DSTV channels), mini-bar, coffee-making facilities, work station, couch, and perhaps most significantly, complimentary Wi-Fi. My bathroom came with a jacuzzi, which I couldn’t resist soaking in, making full use of the complimentary toiletries and bath robes.
Meeting and Business Facilities
The hotel has conferencing facilities suitable for 50 people. It also provides multimedia and secretarial services, with staff in the main office on the ground floor available to assist guests.
Leisure Facilities
Morning Side’s leisure facilities include a medium-sized swimming pool surrounded by sun loungers, and a gym with an instructor available until 17h00. Access to both facilities is complimentary for guests of the hotel.
Restaurants and Bars
The dining room you’ll find to your right, as you enter the hotel, and it has a rather unique look, with orange-coloured furniture. It serves a variety of local and intercontinental dishes, and seats 30 people. I went for the fried plantain, yams and an omelette for breakfast, and the pounded yam and vegetable soup for lunch. All were excellent. Just across the hall is the lounge bar, which opens rather early (07h00) and closes late, depending on guests’ needs. There is also the pool bar, which is open between 12h00 and 21h00, and a VIP bar (overlooking the pool), for more private parties and meetings. It’s suitable for not more than 15 people.
Verdict
It’s a fresh and contemporary addition to the boutique hotel scene in Lagos, with intimate service, and all the ingredients to give the other serious players a run for their money.
Contact
Address: 11b Teslim Elias Close, Off Ahmadu Bello Way, +234 1 277 2046-8, reservation@morningsidesuites.com, morningsidesuites.com