Marriott eyes second Sh1.2bn JKIA hotel in growth strategy

Disclosures show that the hotel construction project would cost approximately Sh1.19 billion and take 30 months to complete.

“The proposed project aims to provide affordable, modern, and easily accessible accommodation, conference facilities, and hospitality services to both local and international guests. The proposed hotel will be operated/managed by Marriott,” reads a regulatory filing on behalf of Marriott International.

The Courtyard by Marriott Airport Hotel would have 174 standard suite rooms and six junior suites.

The proposed project site is surrounded by the Kenya Airports Authority head office to the East, Freight Lane to the South, Four Points by Sheraton Nairobi Airport Hotel to the West and Maya Freight to the North. Other immediate neighbours of the proposed project site include Freight in Time, Nippon Express, Airflow, Freight Wings, Explolanka, Siginon Group Logistics, Kuhne Nagel, United Freight Logistics and Airflo.

The hotel industry in Kenya has registered a resurgence amid a recovery in tourism and conference visits, with a notable increase in operator and acquisition deals as investors sought to capitalise on rebounded room sales.

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For instance, Qatari-backed private equity fund, Kasanda on July 28, 2022, announced a Sh4.9 billion acquisition of the former Crowne Plaza in Nairobi.

The Crowne Plaza, which opened in 2010, is located in Upper Hill –Nairobi’s financial centre and a commercial hub that is home to the headquarters of several local businesses, international institutions, and diplomatic delegations.

The hotel has 206 rooms, a ballroom that can accommodate 300 people, and over 10 meeting rooms with a total capacity of 550 people, making it one of the facilities with the largest meeting and event facilities in Nairobi.

In another deal, the South African owners of Nairobi’s Fairview Hotel, Town Lodge, and City Lodge Two Rivers sold the three hotels to private equity fund Actis for Sh1 billion.

The deal scene in Kenya’s hospitality industry is also registering renewed activity in the hotel management business.

Just recently, Hong Kong-based hotelier Swiss-Belhotel International made its debut in the Kenyan market after entering into a management deal with NIBS Resort Company Management to manage the Emory Hotel in Kileleshwa, which is expected to be rebranded to as Swiss-Belinn Nairobi.

Swiss-Belhotel has also taken over the management of the iconic Nairobi Safari Club. which is expected to be rebranded to Nairobi Safari Club by Swiss-Belhotel.