Starwood Group,a quality global hotel chain is further strengthening its presence in Nigeria with plans to open five new hotels across the country on or before the end of 2017.
The expansion plans made possible by Starwood’s collaboration with strategic partners in country, who are also committed to the funding of the projects, will see over $US500 million investment in the Nigeria’s bourgeoning hospitality market, with 700-1000 additional hotel rooms.
The new hotels include the 146-room Four Points by Sheraton Ikot Ekpene, Four Points by Sheraton Benin City, Four Points by Sheraton Ibadan, Four Points by Sheraton Ikeja and Le Meridien Ikoyi Towers, expected to offer 340 rooms, beside 125 choice apartments on completion.
Speaking on the expansion, at the announcement of the signing of Four Points by Sheraton Ikot Ekpene recently, Bart Carnahan, senior vice president acquisitions & development, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Europe, Africa & Middle East, observed that Nigeria remains an important growth market for Starwood as the hotel group sees a significant opportunity in growing its mid-market brands, especially Four Points by Sheraton, in the country and throughout Africa.
Carnahan further said : “With one of the strongest pipelines in the Starwood portfolio, Four Points by Sheraton offers a compelling blend of comfort, style and affordability, making it an increasingly attractive choice for owners and developers across the world.”
According to him, Starwood’s Four Points by Sheraton brand ‘best for business’ approach provides travellers with everything that matters the most, including timeless, design, uncomplicated comfort and a genuine and friendly approach to hospitality and service.
Explaining why Starwood is establishing a second hotel in Akwa Ibom, Michael Wale, president, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Europe, Africa and Middle East, said: “Looking back to when we opened Le Meridien Ibom in 2007, we saw an opportunity in a city with limited infrastructure, today Akwa Ibom State has been transformed and modernised with new highways and a local airport, while the hotel was recently selected as an SPG® Members’ Favourite. Our experience and shared successes with the government of Akwa Ibom leads us to believe that Four Points by Sheraton Ikot Ekpene is another milestone in the development of the state and we embark on this second joint venture with great confidence.”
At a recent interview in Abuja Bantaba, Curran Barry, the new area general manager Nigeria, Starwood Group, and general manager, Sheraton Lagos Hotel, who took over from Alexander Gassauer, noted that his coming was to further refresh the Starwood brands, seek strategic partnerships for further expansion and ensure value for money services and facilities on offer in all Starwood branded hotels in the country.
When the five new hotels come onboard by 2017, they will increase the total number of hotels under the portfolio of the brand in Nigeria to 10. Currently, the global hotel chain operates five hotels in Nigeria including Sheraton Lagos Hotel, Sheraton Abuja Hotel, Four Points by Sheraton Lekki-Lagos, Le Meridien Ibom Hotel & Golf Resort, and Le Meridien Ogeyi Place.
Owned by the Akwa Ibom State Government, Four Points by Sheraton Ikot Ekpene is scheduled to debut in 2015.
OBINNA EMELIKE
