The Nigerian hospitality industry, formerly notorious for its disheartening inadequacy in standards, has experienced a dramatic turn around as international hotel brands such as Protea, Intercontinental Hotels Group, Hilton group, Rezidor Hotel Groups have taken over the hub of the business, turning it into a colourful and extremely competitive one. Mohammed Abdullahi and Imoleayo Adesanya capture the international hotel brands in Nigeria with a spotlight on their spread and offerings.
PROTEA HOTEL GROUP
The Protea Hotel group is undoubtedly the largest international hotel chain in Nigeria with ten hotels scattered in three major cities of Nigeria, namely: Lagos, Abuja and Port-Harcourt. Entering the Nigerian hospitality market just about nine years ago, Protea has grown tremendously to establish the brand as a force to reckon with in the hospitality scene in Nigeria with a total of about 650 rooms. All across the Protea Hotels are unique offerings of leisure and satisfaction with a touch of class. In Lagos, Protea Hotel Ikeja, a five-star hotel offers the best of leisure and hospitality for business travellers. Protea Hotel Leadway Ikeja is a delight, only 15 minutes from the International Airport in Lagos.
Protea Hotel Victoria Island offers business travellers a great experience with nature. Protea Hotel Kuramo Waters is a perfect scene of relaxation. Other Protea Hotels in Lagos includes Ikoyi Westwood which offers convenience to business travellers. The Oakwood Park is specially designed for business and leisure at the heart of Lagos’s commercial city in Lekki. Inside the Federal Capital City, Protea Hotel Abuja offers a serene environment for discerning business travelers. Protea Apo Apartments is an ideal atmosphere for maximum enjoyment. In Asokoro, Protea Hotel has luxurious accommodation right at the centre of Nigeria’s government seat of power. The Protea Hotel Garden City located in Port-Harcourt is the largest in terms of room numbers, with 103. It is a complete melting point for meetings and business with a leisurely touch.
ACCOR HOTELS GROUP
Situated in about 90 countries, including Nigeria, the Accor Hotels Group as of 2009 has over 4000 hotels worldwide. Accor Hotels Group has two properties in Nigeria, Hotel Novotel and Hotel Sofitel Lagos Moorehouse. Hotel Novotel Port-Harcourt has 119 guest rooms, ranging from standard to executive suites. Rooms are especially designed to ensure the comfort of guests. In the Centre of Excellence as Lagos is often referred to, Hotel Sofitel Lagos Moorhouse Ikoyi in a serene, upmarket residential area offers unique hospitality and luxurious experience. Accor Hotels Group is also opening their Ibis Hotel brand soon in Lagos to increase their existing 213 guest rooms.
STARWOOD HOTEL & RESORT
Starwood Hotel & Resort is the first international hotel chain that arrived in Nigeria more than three decades ago with the evergreen Sheraton Lagos Hotel. For a significant number of years and up till now, Starwood, through Sheraton Lagos Hotel and Sheraton Hotel Abuja is the toast of business travellers. Starwood presently operates five hotels in four states across Nigeria. Sheraton Hotel Abuja boasts 540 exquisite rooms with a niche for customer satisfaction. Le Meridien Ibom Hotel & Golf Resort located in South- South Nigeria is in a class of its own with a fine blend of leisure and business offerings. The Golf Club as part of this hotel is sure to provide unusual relaxation to all business travellers.
In Lagos, Sheraton Lagos Hotel offers a luxurious experience and comfort. The newly opened Four Points by Sheraton in Lagos is a masterpiece of accommodation that offers perfect relaxation. And in the oil-rich city of Port-Harcourt, Le Meridien Ogeyi Place combines contemporary luxury with the warmth of the local Nigerian hospitality. With a total of about 1, 332 rooms presently in their five hotels in Nigeria, Starwood Hotel & Resorts plans to increase the number with the scheduled opening of another hotel, Le Meridien Ikoyi Towers in Lagos by 2013.
SOUTHERN SUN HOTELS
The Southern Sun Hotels is a well-known name in the hospitality industry within Africa as it provides cutting-edge luxurious accommodation to discerning business travellers. Although new in Nigeria with just one hotel, Southern Sun Ikoyi Hotel, with less than two years since it started operations, is delivering quality and exceptional hospitality service to customers. Southern Sun Ikoyi Hotel, with 195 exquisite rooms located in the upmarket bustling business district, is a one-stop hospitality avenue for business travellers who enjoy luxury with a touch of class.
GOLDEN TULIP HOSPITALITY GROUP
The Golden Tulip Hospitality Group is another new entrant in the hospitality industry in Nigeria. With a presence in about 40 countries in all continents, Golden Tulip is truly an international hotel brand. Hotel Golden Tulip Festac Lagos is the new and only hotel presently operated by the Golden Tulip Hospitality Group in Nigeria. The hotel has 471 well-appointed guest rooms and various sporting and leisure facilities including tennis and squash courts.
LEGACY HOTELS & RESORTS INTERNATIONAL
Legacy Hotels and Resorts, an African international hotel brand owns and manages a collection of four- and five-star hotels, bush lodges, leisure resorts and casino resorts in key tourism and business locations throughout Africa and is expanding into the emerging European and Middle Eastern markets. In Nigeria, Legacy is expanding its frontiers with the new, yet-to-open The Wheatbaker Lagos hotel. When it is fully operational, The Wheatbaker Lagos located in Ikoyi will add to the existing number of five-star hotels in Lagos with a promise of a top lifestyle and entertainment address in the city. The hotel will have 70 guest rooms and offers full, five star service.
THE REZIDOR HOTEL GROUP
The Rezidor Hotel Group features a portfolio of over 400 hotels in operation and development across 62 countries, including Nigeria. In 2010, the Group added 7200 rooms to its existing portfolio with the opening of the Radisson Blu Gautrain in South Africa as well as in other cities around the world. In Nigeria, the five-star, Radisson Blu Anchorage Hotel, Lagos, Victoria Island, is due to open in the first quarter of 2011. This will be the first of the Rezidor Brand in the Country. The Hotel, designed by famous Swedish designer, Christian Lundwell, is located on the central Ozumba Mbadiwe road in the upscale Victoria Island, and promises to offer impeccable hospitality. The hotel will add 170 guest rooms and six meeting venues to the hospitality market in Lagos, Nigeria.
BEST WESTERN INTERNATIONAL
Best Western International is a new entrant into Nigeria. Presently Best Western International operates three properties, two in Lagos and another one in Port-Harcourt. In Lagos, Best Western Lagos Ikeja came to life on 1 October 2010 as a hospitality gift to Nigeria as the country celebrated its 50th independence anniversary. Located at the heart of the popular Allen Avenue in Ikeja, the 112-room hotel is exquisitely designed. Best Western the Island Hotel is a splendid beachfront accommodation located in Victoria Island business district. It is ideal for the business traveller. In Port-Harcourt, Best Western Premier is a combination of luxury and unique service offerings. The 89-room accommodation is a business traveller’s delight at all times.Altogether, Best Western International contributes about 343 luxurious rooms to the hospitality industry in Nigeria.