Market News

BY  Emelike Obinna

Riding on the success of its over 8 outlets in Nigeria, Marriott International, the world’s largest hotel group, is set to open its largest hotel in Lagos, Nigeria.

The 250-room Lagos Marriott Hotel Ikeja, which is owned and built by Sifax Group, is a premium brand and will open on May 19, 2021.

The hotel is the first Marriott designed and purposed-built hotel in Nigeria and the largest in Sub-Saharan Africa, amid contemporary facilities, great service and experience for guests.

Speaking at a media preview of the hotel at the Ikeja GRA, Lagos, on Tuesday, Rudi Janse Van Resnburg, general manager of the hotel, described the new hotel as an amazing product, noting that Marriott International is yet again boosting experience for guests who want travel brilliantly with the great facilities at Lagos Marriott Hotel Ikeja.

Apart from the well-appointed 250 rooms, which come in standard and suites categories, the general manager gave a rundown of other facilities, which include: fitness centre, gym, luxury lounges, especially Idapo Lounge, aircrew lounge, specifically designed for airline crew, African themed and contemporary restaurants, 1000 guests capacity ballroom, three boardrooms, pool terrace for 200 guests available for outdoor engagements, 400 cars parking space on two floors, among others.

Also, speaking at the media preview, Chike Ogeah, managing director, Mac-Folly Hospitality Limited, a subsidiary of Sifax Group, commended Taiwo Afolabi, chairman, Sifax Group, for his commitment at finishing and delivering the most premium of Marriott brands to the Nigerian market.

He noted that the property cost between N40 and N50 billion, and was delivered in 5 to 7 year period because of the efforts of made by Afolabi to facilitate fast evacuation of imported materials for the hotel’s building and furnishing at the Apapa Port in Lagos.

Also, Bode Ojeniyi, group executive director, corporate services, Sifax Group, noted that the conglomerate with interests in oil and gas, maritime, aviation, financial services, haulage and logistics and now hospitality, is excited at the finishing of the hotel because of the jobs it would create and impact on the economy.

However, the general manager assured that the new hotel has in place health and safety measures amid strict observance to ensure both guests and staff safety.