Travel, Tourism & Hospitality

Avani Hotels & Resorts to debut in Kenya

Avani Hotels & Resorts said it is expanding into East Africa with the signing of the first Avani property in Kenya. The Avani Nairobi Suites is currently under development by Fedha Group, one of Kenya’s leading real estate developers.

Scheduled to open by the end of 2020, the new-build 15-storey property will further strengthen the Avani brand’s presence in Africa, alongside its existing properties in Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, Mozambique, and Lesotho.

The all-suite property will be located in the heart of Westlands, a prime business and leisure district of Nairobi, with direct access to an array of multi-national corporations, restaurants, and bars all just a 40-minute drive from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.

Avani Nairobi Suites will offer 120 keys, comprising of 90 one-bedroom, 20 two-bedroom, and ten three-bedroom serviced apartments. Designed by Beglin Woods Architects, the suites will offer floor-to-ceiling windows and private terraces boasting cityscape views. Sizes will range from 100 sq m for the one-bedroom, up to 200 sq m for the duplex three-bedroom units and will perfectly cater to a mix of leisure, corporate, and extended stay guests.

Long and short-stay guests at Avani Nairobi Suites will be able to enjoy evening drinks at the rooftop bar overlooking the city skyline, as well as international dining at the restaurant. For guests looking for a balanced lifestyle, AvaniFit will offer contemporary gym facilities as well as an indoor heated swimming pool.

“This fantastic expansion opportunity will mark the debut of Avani into East Africa reflecting the growing international demand for the brand,” said Javier Pardo, vice president Avani Hotels & Resorts. “With Avani already present with six properties in Southern Africa in addition to a very successful resort in Seychelles, this is a significant strategic step for the brand to debut in Kenya.”

Ramine Behnam, vice president Development EMEA Minor Hotels, also commented, “We are thrilled to partner with Fedha Group for this new property in Nairobi's strategic Westlands district, introducing the Avani brand in Kenya and bridging with our strong existing leisure offering across East Africa.”

“We are very proud to add to our hospitality portfolio with this property, which has already been internationally recognized for its design. Minor Hotels are exactly the growing and forward-thinking hotel group that we are proud to partner with - Nairobi is again deservedly in the news with a new facility worthy of its International City status,” said Dhruv Pandit, CEO of Fedha Group.

The Avani brand is part of Minor Hotels, with sister brands including Anantara and Elewana, both also with properties in Africa. Avani currently operates 31 properties in the Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Africa, the Indian Ocean, and Europe, most recently debuting in Cambodia, South Korea, and Krabi in southern Thailand.

The brand has a strong pipeline of new properties under development, including in new destinations such as the Maldives and Oman. Avani currently has six properties in Africa in addition to one in Seychelles. – TradeArabia News Service