Nigeria welcomes two Swiss International hotels

Just six months after the opening of Swiss International Mabisel, Port Harcourt, the Nigerian hospitality industry welcomes yet another two Swiss International branded hotels.

The two hotels, D’Palms at Lagos International Airport will be re-branded to Swiss International effective June 1, 2014, while The Swiss Spirit Hotel & Suites Mardezok in Asaba will open its doors on July 1, 2014.

Swiss International D’Palms Lagos Airport is located in Ajao Estate, with an easy access to Murtala Mohammed International Airport. The 60 rooms and suites hotel will be expanded to 112 rooms by January 1, 2015. Upon completion, the Swiss International D’Palms Lagos Airport will offer upscale and spacious accommodation, a Swiss Café – Restaurant & Lounge, a TED & Co – Bar & Lounge, an Eventives Center for meeting and events and an inspirations pool & gym.  

Commenting on the event, the owner of D’Palms Airport Hotel in Lagos said: “We have been looking for an international brand to distinguish us from the rest, and that will offer our management team the right coaching through which we can exceed the guests’ expectations.” An European General Manager will be appointed shortly and all the staff will undergo extensive training from the Swiss International Business school”.

When opened, Swiss Spirit Hotel & Suites Mardezok in Asaba will offer a Swiss café, restaurant and lounge, a box meeting & events and an inspirations swimming pool.

“We are delighted to be part of Swiss International. The affiliation will bring us the products, the services and experience that we need to make a successful debut in Asaba”, Ambrose Ukuhor, chairman/CEO, Swiss Spirit Hotel & Suites Mardezok-Asaba, SAID.

“With the increasing numbers of travelers to Nigeria and the growing economy of the country, we understand that there is a need for unique hotel brands such as ours”, said Henri Kennedie, chairman/ CEO, Swiss International. “Following the successes of Swiss International Mabisel in Port Harcourt, the two new hotels will extend Swiss hospitality quality alongside the facilities and services to the other states in Nigeria”.

Wasiu Babalola, managing director, Western Africa, Swiss International, noted that Swiss International plan to become a leading brand in Africa. “The availability of our company’s three brands; Royal Swiss (Luxury), Swiss International (Upscale) and Swiss Spirit (Mid-market) will make it possible to reach our objective to grow from the current six to 15 by 2015. For that purpose, we have opened Business Development offices in Lagos, Togo, Ghana, Morocco and Angola.

Globally, Swiss International is going through a determined expansion programme with the objective of increasing its portfolio to 150 hotels by the year 2020.

OBINNA EMELIKE