Background
Travel House Budget Hotels Ibadan opened about three years ago after flagship operations in Lagos. The hotel group, which is operated by MP Budget Limited, is part of the Moorhouse Properties operating Novotel PortHarcourt, MGallery Moorhouse Lagos, Ibis Lagos Airport Hotel and Epe Resort and Spa all in Nigeria. Travel House Budget Hotels is the first branded chain of comfort budget hotels in Nigeria.
Where is it?
It is located on the popular MKO Abiola Way, Ring Road, in the ancient city of Ibadan. Ring Road is located right at the heart of the city and is famous for a number of high-brow offices. Ibadan is one of the top commercial nerve centres in South-West Nigeria, and dates back to the 18th century. The city is the largest in West Africa.
Room Facilities
The hotel is a far cry from luxury; rather it focuses on the basics and pays attention to cleanliness. Each of the 65 12 square metre rooms is fully air conditioned with an en-suite bathroom. Other facilities include a mini flat-screen TV set with local channels and a couple of satellite channels, and comfortable double bed. Of course, there is a shower and toilet unit with amenities. Although the size of the room is small, the use of free 24-hour high-speed Wi-Fi was a big plus. Being a budget hotel, the small room may seem to be designed simply for sleep, however the modern mindset of business-everywhere explains the work stations installed in the rooms. The hotel room services are fast and efficient, and complaints are handled quickly and effectively – a quick call to reception was all it took to fix the reception of my favourite news channel on the TV set. A laundry service is also available, for a stipulated fee. Providing basic needs at a reasonable cost sees the hotel recording about 75% capacity daily. The room costs about $55 per night.
Restaurants & Bars
At Travel House Budget Hotels, there is one in-house restaurant, located in the basement, which offers local cuisines and some selected intercontinental dishes. It serves complimentary tea, coffee, bread and butter to guests between 06h30 and 09h00, while all other a la carte meals are paid for. The restaurant can seat about 50 guests at a time. The bar, which is inside the restaurant, sells assorted wines, beer and spirits. There is also a lounge inside the restaurant in which you can relax and unwind.
I arrived in Ibadan at night, having travelled by road from Lagos which is about 170 kilometres away, and I quickly settled for Pounded Yam and Efo Riro Soup, a local delicacy, for dinner. While pounded yam is made from smashed, boiled yam, efo riro is prepared from vegetables. This meal is very popular in South-West Nigeria.
Business & Meetings Facilities
There is one venue in the hotel which is suitable for board meetings or mini trainings, seating up to 20 people. The room is fitted with a PA system and microphones, projector and a screen. Travel House Budget Hotels issues complimentary notepads, pens and bottled water.
Verdict
Arriving at the hotel, check-in takes less than three minutes! Security is guaranteed. The rooms and amenities are small in size, but comfy and very clean. However, the hotel should provide leisure facilities of some kind for guests’ relaxation. Travel House Budget Hotel is ideal if you are in Ibadan and need a simple, clean and affordable hotel accommodation.
Mohammed Abdullahi
Contact
Address: PLOT 22A, Block X, MKO Abiola Way, Ring Road, Ibadan
Tel: +234 246 10 221/+234 704 499 7087
Email: info@travelhousesenigeria.com
Web: www.travelhousenigeria.com