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Tag: hotels

  • Nairobi gets first Vignette Collection Hotel in Africa

    Nairobi gets first Vignette Collection Hotel in Africa

    Vignette Collection, a luxury and lifestyle brand under IHG Hotels, formally inducted Fairview Hotel Nairobi into its portfolio.

    The event, held at the hotel’s Upper Hill gardens, was attended by government representatives, senior tourism figures, media personalities, and lifestyle influencers, among others.

    Fairview, which dates to the early 20th century, has become the first property on the African continent to join the Vignette collection, a milestone that hospitality industry observers say reflects growing international investor confidence in Africa’s luxury travel market.

    Vignette Collection, which IHG launched as a brand for independent-spirited hotels with strong local identities, has been expanding aggressively and has now surpassed the halfway mark toward its stated target of 100 open and pipeline properties within its first decade of operation. 

    Tom Rowntree, Vice President of Luxury & Lifestyle Brands at IHG Hotels & Resorts, said the addition reflected broader strategic intent on the continent. “It reinforces our confidence in Africa as a growing luxury and lifestyle destination and reflects our ambition to bring more distinctive, purpose-led stays to travellers around the world,” he said.

    Alongside the brand transition, the hotel announced a community partnership with the Kenya National Library Service covering book donations, reading programmes and participation in the government-backed ‘Mashujaa wa Kusoma’  literacy initiative.

    For Kenya’s tourism sector, the development adds to a broader pattern of international hospitality brands deepening their presence in the country, as Nairobi consolidates its position as a regional hub for business and leisure travel.

  • Maasai Mara hotels nearly full ahead of wildebeest migration

    Maasai Mara hotels nearly full ahead of wildebeest migration

    Hotels, lodges and camps in the Maasai Mara Game Reserve have recorded 95pc bed occupancy early bookings as the wildebeest migration season begins.

    The peak season runs from July to September when millions of wildebeests spectacularly cross from the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania to the Maasai Mara reserve in Kenya.

    The spectacle attracts thousands of international and local tourists who book the hotels and camps around the game reserve to get the golden chance of watching the world’s eighth wonder.

    Mara Chief Park Warden Stephen Minis, said the number of tourists has increased tremendously in the past few weeks.

    Minis said they have also beefed up security in the reserve, with rangers patrols intensified to keep law and order and make sure all tour vans follow the laid down rules and regulations in the park.

    Sarova Mara Camp General Manager Jayne Kiragu is upbeat that the bookings were impressive despite challenges the tourism industry was facing locally following heavy rains that swept some of the camps and persistent demonstrations against the government.

    Kiragu said the hotel has 75 tents with the entry level tents, the dilux-52 tents, club tents 20, and family tents which are 2 bedroomed all fully booked for the next three months.

    She said the experience in the hotel for their clients will be different as they are upscaling their tourism products and improving on their tents to give their client an experience of a life time.

    Mara Managers Association chairman Harrison Nampaso said they are preparing themselves for the peak season and are optimistic that all the hotels will be fully booked.

    He further thanked Narok County government for interventions to fix roads and bridges damaged by floods before the high season kicked off.

  • PrideInn Hotels to discount rates for visa card users

    PrideInn Hotels to discount rates for visa card users

    Guests staying at PrideInn Hotels have will enjoy a 5pc discount on their accommodation fees when they use a Visa card within its facilities.

    PrideInn Hotels Group Director of Operations and Business Development Jackton Amutala said following the partnership with the digital payment giant, discount will also apply to guests when they pay for meals and beverages within the hotels.

    “This collaboration reflects our ongoing efforts to prioritise customer satisfaction and reward our valued guests for choosing PrideInn as their preferred accommodation provider. We are confident that this partnership will enhance guest experiences and foster a strong and enduring relationship between PrideInn and Visa,” said Amutala.

    Visa Kenya Country Manager Eva Ngigi-Sarwari noted the rise in the use of digital payments in Kenya saying digital payment services are not only promoting financial inclusion but also reducing transaction costs and improving business efficiency.

    “We are delighted to have teamed up with PrideInn to bring tailored offers to our cardholders so they can save when they pay with Visa. This partnership is one of the ways we are showing our commitment to digitizing the economy and supporting both consumers and businesses through offering safe, secure and convenient digital payments,” she added.