When the boat left Paradise Jetty on Walter Carrington that morning, I never thought it was to a destination as pristine and exclusive as nature, yet within reach.
The coconut trees and mangrove vegetation that dot the landscape say little about the offerings awaiting our arrival.
After 15 minutes ride on the Lagos Lagoon, along the Badagry route, the boat berthed at a stylishly built jetty. But a minute walk on the jetty walkway ushered us into a new world of excitement. The air was fresh, temperature moderate, while the sea breeze from the nearby Atlantic Ocean keeps caressing the body with instant nature’s therapeutic feel.
“Welcome to Inagbe Grand Resort and Leisure. While here, you will discover rustic living in a lush island haven, resonating air of simple luxury and refined elegance,” the resort attendant says.
Set on the tranquil banks of the magnificent Lagos Lagoon and the Atlantic Ocean, the brand new resort is a first- of-its-kind resort developed by Gran Imperio Resorts Limited (a subsidiary of Gran Imperio Group, a formidable real estate development consortium).
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The showpiece resort captures the essence of nature, culture and tradition with almost 100 percent local materials for its construction. From the jetty walkway, the sight of leisure seekers relaxing at the Floating Lounge extended into the Lagoon is commonplace. They simply submit to the pristine beauty of the resort, enjoy nature at its best without watching their back.
However, from the reception, the cheerful attendants employ all necessary skills to make you see the resort as an adventure that awaits you on arrival. Truly, it is. Set on over 3 million square meter land within a 100 kilometer stretch island along the Atlantic Ocean and boundary with the Lagos Lagoon at the other end, the resort is truly an adventure that awaits you.
It parades 152 stylishly, yet tastefully, furnished chalets. The chalets offer options, depending on the taste of the guests. You have option of choosing from the 108 chalets closer to the Lagoon or the 44 exclusive rooms by the Atlantic Ocean shore.
While the 108 rooms come in categories of six bedrooms fit for family, two bedrooms and one bedroom, the 44 rooms by the ocean offer two bedrooms and one bedroom accommodation options for visitors.
But while local fishing boats are common sight for the rooms closer to the Lagoon, queue of big shipping vessels waiting to get order to discharge their contents at the Lagos Wharf is obvious from the comfort of the rooms by the ocean.
The resort offers complete leisure. Besides the Floating Lounge that can sit over 800 guests, the resort offers quality sporting events as well. Guests can always keep fit at the outdoor lawn tennis court, basketball court, and there two swimming pools by the Atlantic and the Lagoon for leisure swimming and lessons. There is also a 1,500 capacity multipurpose hall for all manner of occasions.
Yet, Inagbe Resort is taking quality unwinding events seriously. Its 18-hole golf course is on Hole2, while a helipad by the ocean is ongoing for guests who want exclusivity or do not trust the boat transport to the resort.
But one interesting thing about the resort is that it is “Proudly Nigerian”. The furniture is made from coconut trees from Inagbe here, window frames and doors were made from mahogany wood from Ijebu in Ogun State, while the glass sand for cotton walls came from Owo, Ondo State. Also dolomite and clay used in making the vitrified tiles and ceramic tiles are from Kogi State, the thatch roofing materials are from Kaduna and Zamfara states, willow plants and rattan ropes from Badagry and Epe mangroves, chair materials made from Aso Oke, from Yaba, electrical fittings and conduit materials from Aba, Abia State”, enthuses Adeyeye Ogunwusi, CEO, Gran Imperio Group, owners of the resort.
Of course, it is also of note that the resort houses EssentialHomes Furniture, the furniture company that produces all the furnishings, beddings and furniture used in the resort. So, you are truly home when you are at Inagbe.
But apart from the ingenuity of local skills and products on display, the peaceful setting of the resort is commendable. Though the resort is located within a friendly community rich in culture and history of the Esinmikan Royal Family, an ancient Lagos Monarchy, Ogunwusi notes that the peace is sustained by the involvement of the community as stakeholders in the resort coupled with the development of skills and employment of the youths at various levels of the resort’s operation.
No matter how sophisticated your taste is, Inagbe Grand Resort and Leisure will appeal to your sense of leisure with its world-class facilities, well-trained staff and variety of exciting activities.
Another reason to also visit the brand new resort is because it is managed by Executive Coach Limited, a professional resort management company.
The company led by Jide Fadairo (MD) and Muyiwa Afolabi (ED), are keying into the vision of Gran Imperio Group to provide the best hospitality services that will leave guests asking for more.
However, Ogunwusi urges leisure buffs across the country to sneak in to see for themselves the perfect marriage of nature and man at the resort, which is just at its first phase.
OBINNA EMELIKE
