Hilton Worldwide Agrees First Hilton Garden Inn for Kenya
Hilton Worldwide (NYSE: HLT) today announced the signing of a franchise agreement with Reliance Hotels Ltd to open Hilton Garden Inn Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital. The hotel joins 11 Hilton Garden Inn properties already under development in Africa, including Hilton Garden Inn Abuja Airport, and is expected to open in early 2016.
The 171 guest room and suites hotel will be located just two kilometers from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO), the largest airport in Kenya and a busy hub for Sub-Saharan travel. In addition, it will be situated off Mombasa Road, the main road-link between Nairobi and Mombasa, making it an ideal base for local, regional and international visitors.
"Hilton has long pioneered the concept of airport hotels and in recent years has added new properties in aviation hubs including London Heathrow, Istanbul Ataturk and Amsterdam Schipol airports," said Patrick Fitzgibbon, senior vice president of development, Europe and Africa, for Hilton Worldwide. "Agreeing our first Hilton Garden Inn for Kenya, and adding a second airport location to our African portfolio, demonstrates how we are growing and evolving our presence across the continent with leading brands in convenient locations."
With a population of more than 3.5 million people, Nairobi is the largest and most populous city in Eastern Africa. In addition to being a political and financial center, it is a regional base for several international companies bringing significant levels of business travel to the city, where Hilton has been present since 1969 with the well-known Hilton Nairobi. Looking ahead long term plans to refurbish and expand Jomo Kenyatta International Airport will contribute to Nairobi's status as a visitor hub in the region.
Noorali Manji, Chairman of Reliance Hotels Ltd, said, "We are delighted to be working with Hilton Worldwide to develop the first Hilton Garden Inn for Kenya, a milestone for the country's hospitality industry. The location of the hotel will serve travellers well for both inbound and outbound travel from Nairobi, as well as for the nearby city."
Built in typical Hilton Garden Inn style, Hilton Garden Inn Jomo Kenyatta International Airport will feature more than 300 square meters of events space, a business center, fitness center, outdoor swimming pool - as well as the brand signature 24-hour Pavilion Pantry. Hilton Garden Inn is well-known by guests around the globe for its upscale amenities, which enable guests to work smart, stay fit, sleep deep, eat well and treat themselves during their stay.
"As we sign yet more Hilton Garden Inn properties across Africa, we are delighted to agree our first in country for Kenya. Hilton Garden Inn Jomo Kenyatta International Airport will serve the needs of travellers looking for a trusted brand in a prime location," said Adrian Kurre, global head, Hilton Garden Inn. "With more than 625 Hilton Garden Inn hotels globally, we are pleased to be adding Kenya and its capital to our portfolio of destinations, which stretches far and wide across the world."