Nigerian hospitality industry midweek got fresh boost as leading group, Radisson Blu, a part of the Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, threw open the reception doors of its third hotel in Nigeria.
The group is also working on early delivery on another six hotel schemes in other parts of the country including Abuja and Lagos.
With the second in Lagos and located in Ikeja GRA, Radisson Blu has joined the league of three star hotels chain dotting parts of elite regions of Lagos including Victoria Island.
Business Hilights gathered that the Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, a global hospitality company, said it now had a portfolio in Africa of 85 hotels and over 17,800 rooms in operation and under development.
In his keynote address, the Senior Vice President, Africa and Indian Oceans, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, Andrew McLachlan, said, “We are thrilled to be expanding our presence in Nigeria, one of Africa’s economic powerhouses, with the opening of Radisson Blu Hotel Lagos, Ikeja. We have identified Nigeria as a key country for scaled growth and the addition of our second Radisson Blu in Africa’s largest city, Lagos, perfectly complements our development strategy”.
“We are confident that the appeal of the international upper upscale Radisson Blu brand and the excellent location of the hotel will attract strong business from both international and domestic travellers.”
While describing the Ikeja GRA facility as a great addition to the Radisson Blu in Victoria Island, McLachlan disclosed that “We can actually benefit from the scale of the two brands. We have a Radisson Blu under development in Abuja and one in Port Harcourt”.
“We signed our first deal in Nigeria in 2006. It took us a little bit longer than we anticipated to open our first hotel on Victoria Island. Today, we have nine hotels open or under development in Nigeria. We have three open and six under development. So, we have 1,755 rooms in Nigeria today. The other six will be opened over the next four to five years.”
Additional details revealed that the Ikeja hotel complex is coming on a 155-room Radisson Blu Hotel Lagos, Ikeja which are designed to offer a choice of contemporary standard and business class rooms and a range of ultra-stylish one, two and three-bedroom loft suites.
The official also hinted that “All rooms carry a fresh and modern design with free high-speed wireless Internet. The hotel has an extensive food and drinks offering. Guests can enjoy the all-day dining restaurant serving international and local cuisine or dining at the steak house restaurant that will calm any carnivorous craving.
“The hotel has eight impressive meeting and events facilities encompassing an area of 2,047m2, including a ballroom, expansive conference room capable of hosting over 400 guests and six meeting rooms with an adjoining business centre. Leisure facilities include a fully-equipped gym and swimming pool for travellers seeking to rejuvenate or maintain their fitness regime.”
In his remarks, the General Manager, Radisson Blu Hotel Lagos, Ikeja, George Balassis, said, “We are excited and ready to welcome the local community and international guests to Radisson Blu Hotel Lagos, Ikeja. We are sure that the team’s passion to deliver the brand’s renowned Yes I Can!SM service will lead us to become the preferred hotel in Ikeja for all guests.”
High Chief Oba Otudeko has a substantial share in the company.
