Hilton Hotels is expanding its presence in East Africa’s hospitality sector with a fresh addition to its portfolio, in response to the region’s growing appetite for lifestyle and experience-driven travel.
Set to open in Nairobi’s Lavington, Ava Hotel Nairobi, Tapestry Collection by Hilton will mark the brand’s debut in Kenya. Tapestry Collection by Hilton is a group of independent hotels operating under the name of the American hospitality giant. Hilton has scores of other brands licensed to hospitality investors around the world.
The 91-room property, owned by Ava Hotel Limited and managed by Aleph Hospitality, introduces Hilton’s modern take on personalised luxury, blending the local character with global standards.
The hotel will feature modern guest rooms, a rooftop area, dining outlets, meeting spaces, and wellness facilities that are designed to meet Nairobi’s growing demand for premium, locally inspired hospitality experiences.
“We are honoured to have been entrusted with the management of Ava Hotel Nairobi, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, and proud to introduce Kenya’s first Tapestry Collection by Hilton hotel,” said Bani Haddad, founder and managing director of Aleph Hospitality.
“We have a close and collaborative relationship with Hilton, and our shared goal is to drive exceptional guest experiences, optimise operations, and create a healthy bottom-line for the owner.”
Aleph Hospitality, which has been progressively expanding across the Middle East and Africa, operates as an independent hotel management company that partners with leading international brands.
Its growing footprint in East Africa signals a strong investor confidence in the region’s hospitality sector, driven by a new generation of business and leisure travellers seeking unique experiences.
Tripling presence
Hilton’s chief development officer for the Middle East and Africa, Carlos Khneisser, said the Nairobi project forms part of the group’s strategy to nearly triple its presence in Africa to more than 160 operating hotels in the coming years.
“We remain focused on diversifying our portfolio to meet evolving guest needs. We look forward to welcoming guests at this exciting new property which will be managed by Aleph Hospitality,” said Mr Khneisser.
The Tapestry Collection by Hilton comprises a global portfolio of upscale independent hotels that retain their individual allure while leveraging Hilton’s international systems and powerful loyalty programme, Hilton Honors.
Each Tapestry property embodies the cultural essence of its location and caters to travellers who value authenticity and connections over traditional luxury.
This concept is shaping the global hospitality scene and gaining strong traction in Africa’s urban and leisure markets, where the locally rooted experiences are driving new investment trends.
Hilton’s introduction of the Tapestry brand in Kenya coincides with its expansion into Rwanda through a partnership with Masai Ujiri’s Zaria Group, to launch Zaria Court Kigali.
The 80-room property, which is Hilton’s first in Rwanda, has a new sports and entertainment hub in Kigali and is part of the three Tapestry Collection hotels planned across Sub-Saharan Africa.
