Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts has announced a string of new properties in new African markets, including Nairobi, Kenya and Cote d’Ivoire, between 2016 and 2019.
The expansion, which sees the Swiss hotel groups entering into management deals with a string of prominent African real estate developers and owners, will take the African portfolio to 28 properties.
It will commence with the opening of the 223-key Mövenpick Hotel & Residences Nairobi in mid-2016; followed by the 212-key Mövenpick Hotel Abidjan in early 2018; and the 250-key Mövenpick Hotel and Conference Centre Abuja in 2019.
“Sub-Saharan Africa is forecast to be the fastest growing region in the world over the next five years with a projected GDP growth rate of 4.8% from 2014 to 2018, according to research by Deloitte,” said Alan O’Dea, SVP for Africa at Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts.
“It is therefore crucial we get a strong foothold in this market, which is undergoing a trade and investment boom right now, and our three new properties are well positioned to capitalise on the economic growth projected across both East and West Africa.”
Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts’ African portfolio currently comprises 23 hotels, resorts, and cruise ships spanning five countries including Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, and Ghana.
The company will open its third property in Morocco, the Mövenpick Hotel Mansour Eddahbi & Palais des Congrès, Marrakech, in mid-2016 and has inked a management deal for a third hotel in neighbouring Tunisia – the Mövenpick Hotel Les Berges du Lac Tunis, scheduled for completion in 2016.
Mövenpick Hotel & Residences Nairobi – mid-2016
A 15-storey property owned by real estate developer, Golf Course Hotel (K) Ltd.. This first Mövenpick property in Kenya will include a revolving tower with panoramic downtown views plus extensive dining, leisure and meetings facilities.
The hotel will mark the Swiss hospitality brand’s East Africa debut and will feature a revolving tower with panoramic downtown views plus extensive dining, leisure and meetings facilities.
The hotel will also offer 54 spacious contemporary one- and two-bedroom apartments with city views targeting long-stay couples and families.
“Visitor numbers to Kenya are expected to increase from 1.9 million in 2012 to 2.4 million in 2017 with growth driven by China, Russia, the Middle East, India and neighbouring African nations, the country’s National Bureau of Statistics has revealed, so the timing of our entry into this market could not be better,” said O’Dea.
“The hospitality landscape in Nairobi is evolving with the arrival of new design-led upscale hotels giving legacy properties a run for their money,” he added.
Mövenpick Hotel Abidjan – 2018
Located in the centre of Cote d’Ivoire’s largest city, adjacent to the corporate and government district and offering guests a range of business, MICE and leisure amenities.
Its ownership model is a joint venture between land owner Société Abidjanese de Promotion Industrielles et Immobilières (SAPRIM), a private company that owns the office complex and mall next to the property and French listed construction firm Bouygues Batiment International.
“Cote d’Ivoire is the second largest economy in West Africa with GDP growth hitting the double digits at 10% in 2014, according to the World Bank, which says the country has ‘great economic potential’,” said O’Dea.
“Abidjan is Cote d’Ivoire’s largest city, its most important commercial and banking centre, and its biggest seaport, known for mass agricultural exports from coffee to cocoa, and opening a property here is a strategic move that capitalises on the city’s growing prosperity as a major business hub.
The hotel will feature a fine dining specialty restaurant, an all-day dining outlet and lounge/bar; banqueting and conference facilities spanning a 300-square-metre ballroom, two meeting rooms and two boardrooms; an Executive Club Lounge; plus a fitness centre and rooftop outdoor swimming pool.
Mövenpick Hotel and Conference Centre Abuja – 2019
Owned by Queen Amina Garden Ventures Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Urban Shelter Ltd a prominent Nigerian property development company, will take advantage of Nigeria’s status as Africa’s largest economy. Located in the capital’s upmarket Jabi Lake district and a part of a stunning leisure and hospitality master development, the property’s highlights will include five food and beverage outlets, a dedicated conference centre and spa and fitness facilities.
The upscale hotel will be Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts’ third property to open in West Africa.
The property will be a focal point of The Queen Amina Garden, a contemporary leisure and entertainment destination currently under construction, designed to cater to Nigeria’s growing affluent society and international guests, with key features including a retail promenade and residences.
“Nigeria is Africa’s economic powerhouse with a GDP of $568.5 billion and a population of 177.5 million in 2014, according The World Bank. It is the world’s 20th largest economy, its 8th largest oil exporter and by 2050, will become the third most populated nation after China and India with an estimated 440 million inhabitants,” said Alan O’Dea, Senior Vice President Africa, Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts.
The hotel will comprise 250 rooms and suites; five food and beverage outlets including two specialty restaurants, one all-day-dining restaurant, a poolside bar/eatery and a lobby lounge; an Executive Club Lounge; one large fitness and spa facility for outside members; and a large natural resort setting including several pools, restaurants and tennis courts for hotel guests and where 200 cabanas will be available to rent.
