Five-star Radisson Blu prepares for Nairobi debut

International hotel chain Radisson Blu has started hiring staff for its upcoming Kenyan unit in Nairobi’s Upper Hill in readiness for opening early next year.     

The chain first announced plans to enter the Kenyan market in 2012 and had earlier set a target of starting operations in August this year.

“Carlson Rezidor will open its first hotel in Nairobi early 2015,” said the hotel management in a statement.

The Nairobi hotel, which has 271 rooms, is seeking staff for its human resource department, chief stewards, a purchasing manager, store supervisor, bar managers and pastry chef.

Radisson Blu Nairobi will feature a health club and a 600-square-metre ballroom for conferences. The hotel will also have an all-day restaurant and grill.

The presence of Radisson in Nairobi raises Kenya’s profile as a top investment destination and also increases hotel rooms available for leisure and business tourists.

READ: Big names eye Kenyan hotel bed space

Radisson will also launch Park Inn Nairobi , a business and leisure facility in late 2015, in addition to Park Inn Rwanda and Cape Town that were set to open this year.

Other hotels looking to open in Kenya over the next two years include easyHotels by Lonrho and Hilton Garden Inn, a budget accommodation by Hilton International.

Lonrho Group, which had established itself in Kenya’s hospitality industry with several iconic hotels, made a comeback in the market last year after a long absence.

Marriot, a five-star international hotel brand, intends to start operations in the country by 2015.

Marriot has said it plans to spend Sh127 billion ($1.5 billion) for investments in Kenya, Ethiopia, Ghana, Benin, Gabon, Nigeria and Rwanda.

Centara Hotels & Resorts by the billionaire Chirathivat family from Thailand also makes the list of investors eyeing a piece of Kenya’s hospitality industry at the Coast.