Uganda President Yoweri Museveni with 10-year-old Sheilah Sheldone after she presented him with a gift at the Nyali Golf View Residence last week. PHOTO | COURTESY
Simon Gicharu plans to build more presidential residential suites in Mombasa.
The move looks set to trigger competition for the high-end market as most hotels refurbish their suites to attract the moneyed visitors.
Businessman Simon Gicharu has upped the battle for control of ultra-wealthy visitors with a plan to build more presidential residential suites in Mombasa.
Mr Gicharu says his luxury Nyali Golf View Residence (NGVR), which last week hosted Uganda President Yoweri Museveni, is seeking to tap the growing flow of wealthy clients, dignitaries and power players who value privacy.
The move looks set to trigger competition for the high-end market as most hotels refurbish their suites to attract the moneyed visitors.
“We are studying how the market behaves. So far, one presidential penthouse is working well. But will put up more given the forecast demand surge,” said Mr Gicharu, who also owns Mount Kenya University.
Kenya has the fourth highest number of wealthy individuals on the continent and is one of the top destinations, especially at the Coast, for Africa’s super rich in search of vacation.
These are the kind of travellers that have sparked investments in exclusive suites, which charge in excess of Sh200, 000 per day.
A decade ago, there were less than 10 presidential suites, but more hoteliers and property players have upped investments to attract high-end visitors, said Mombasa Tourism Chief Officer Innocent Mugabe.
Top hotels in Mombasa with a huge stake in this high-end segment include Serena, Whitesands, Travellers and Pride Inn.
“It is important for hoteliers to invest in presidential suites to attract high-end clients who throng this destination to enjoy the weather, the beaches and other tourism products. Most high-end clients prefer presidential suites, which offer privacy,” Mr Mugabe added.
Serviced apartments
This is what prompted NGVR to invest in the 13-storey building that has premium serviced apartments, a restaurant, swimming pool and the presidential penthouse—where Mr Museveni spent the night during his working trip to Mombasa.
The facility opened shop in November, and the presidential suite comes with four bedrooms, three sitting rooms, 4,500-square-foot rooftop terrace, bar, and personal chef for exclusive room service menu.
''For a foreign president to opt for Mombasa and stay at one of the newest establishments in town is an endorsement of the quality of service on offer,'' said Sam Ikwaye, CEO of Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers (Kahc) Coast branch.
“We are increasingly seeing VIPs coming to Mombasa quietly, and this calibre of visitors demands privacy, pampering and protection.”
Kenya’s earnings from tourism jumped by almost a third in 2018 from the previous year to Sh157.4 billion), after the number of visitors rose by 37 percent.
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