As early next year, Nairobi’s 3.2 million 5-star hotel currently owned by Westlands Hotel Limited is set to trade as a Marriott brand. Marriott International is an American multinational hospitality company with a broad portfolio of hotels.
The President and MD of Marriott for Middle East and Africa, Mr. Alex Kyriakidis described the rebrand as a franchise agreement between Westlands Hotels that will retain Sankara Hotel Group as the facility managers as part of the deal which was announced during the Africa Hotel Investment Forum held at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Nairobi.
“We believe this hotel is a perfect fit for the brand and the rebranding is in lockstep with growing demand from consumers and their desire for unique and differentiated experiences wherever they travel,” Alex Kyriakidis, President and managing director of Marriott for Middle East and Africa said.
This move comes nearly a year after Marriott International opened a 172-room Four Points by Sheraton at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
The group currently operates two hotels in Nairobi, Four Points by Sheraton at JKIA and Four Points by Sheraton in Hurlingham which was, Best Western before the conversion.
Marriott International is currently developing a 365-room JW Marriott in Nairobi expected to open in 2020. In their plans, the group is also looking to open Protea Hotel which will be located about five kilometers from JKIA on Mombasa road. The facility is said to contain a bar, fitness center, a swimming pool and six hundred square meters of meeting space.
This move is expected to increase the brands presence in Kenya and Africa at large. According to the Knight Frank 2018 Hotels report, Kenya has 68 global hotel brands which is more than Nigeria and Tanzania. About 20 major international hotel brands are expected to venture into Kenya over the next five years which will enhance tourism in the region, significantly.