Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts has marked another milestone in its Africa expansion strategy with construction work on the 160-key upscale Mövenpick Hotel Abidjan now under way.

The upcoming property’s first stone was laid on October 7 and a 2020 opening date was announced in a ceremony that heralded the acceleration of the Swiss hospitality firm’s development plans in the Sub-Saharan region.

Mövenpick Hotel Abidjan will be the company's first property in Côte d'Ivoire and one of four currently in active development in the region. The other three are Mövenpick Hotel & Residences Nairobi in Kenya, which is on track to open in 2018, Mövenpick Hotel Addis Ababa in Ethiopia set to open in 2019 and Mövenpick Hotel & Conference Centre Abuja in Nigeria set for completion in 2020. Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts currently operates a 260-key property in Ghana – Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel Accra.

“As building work on Mövenpick Hotel Abidjan commences, we take another step closer to realising our ambitious expansion plans for the Sub-Saharan region,” said Andrew Langdon, chief development officer, Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts.

“Opening a modern lifestyle hotel in Côte d’Ivoire’s commercial and banking centre is a strategic move that not only capitalises on Abidjan’s growing prominence as a major business hub, but reinforces Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts’ presence in West Africa. This is crucial to our development strategy as we actively seek opportunities to grow our portfolio and become a leading hospitality company in the region.”

Mövenpick Hotel Abidjan is located in the heart of the city’s Le Plateau business district, home to government buildings and local landmarks such as St. Paul’s Cathedral and Banco National Park.

When completed in 2020, the property will feature an all-day dining restaurant; a lounge/bar; an Executive Club Lounge; a state-of-the-art fitness centre and contemporary meeting space.

“The hotel will be well placed to facilitate trade missions, government-related business and general commercial trade,” said Langdon.

Mövenpick Hotel Abidjan’s ownership is a joint venture between Société Abidjanese de Promotion Industrielles et Immobilières (SAPRIM), a private company that owns the office complex and mall adjacent to the property, and renowned construction firm Bouygues Batiment International. - TradeArabia News Service