Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts has made its debut in Kenya with the official opening of a new hotel and residences project in Nairobi.

Located in the thriving commercial, retail and entertainment hub, Westlands, close to the city centre, diplomatic districts and 20km from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Mövenpick Hotel & Residences Nairobi features 276 spacious rooms, suites and residences and introduces new exciting dining, leisure and events concepts to the Kenyan capital.

The hotel and conference facility, which blends authentic African design and décor to create a sense of place with Mövenpick’s signature personalised service and culinary heritage, also paves the way for the company’s ambitious Sub Saharan expansion plans.

“This is an exciting and timely moment to enter Kenya’s hospitality market, with the tourism sector becoming increasingly important to the country’s economy, generating 10 per cent of GDP – the same as banking – and predicted to grow by 6 per cent annually over the next decade,” said Marc Descrozaille, President Middle East & Africa, Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts.

“Our debut in Nairobi also acts as a springboard to grow our footprint across East Africa as we pursue development opportunities in the region.”

All accommodation options at Mövenpick Hotel & Residences Nairobi are spacious and feature authentic, African-inspired décor. The one- and two-bedroom residences, which are ideal for families or long stay guests, range in size from 97-sq-m to 121-sq-m and offer a separate living room and fully-equipped kitchen.

True to Mövenpick’s commitment to culinary innovation and excellence, the property offers five distinct dining experiences: the Latino-themed La Mesa bar and lounge on the 15th and 16th floor serving tapas and screening live sporting events; the Baluba all-day dining venue showcasing themed buffets and local produce; signature revolving restaurant The View – the best place to take in 360-degree panoramas of Nairobi City and sample traditional Swiss specialities; Kijani bar, next to the outdoor pool, offering inventive cocktails and light snacks; and the lobby café, presenting Mövenpick’s signature coffees, international teas, and handcrafted cakes.

For events, from business meetings, conferences and exhibitions, to product launches, banquets, weddings and other social functions, the hotel offers 14 state-of-the-art venues with natural daylight and high ceilings.

Stand-out facilities include the elegant 710-sq-m Almasi ballroom with an in-built stage and convertible into two enclosed sections (a pre-function area) and the pillar-less Hall of Africa with space to host up to 1,100 guests in theatre style. The outdoor pool area is an ideal venue for gala dinners, themed nights, product launches, parties and more.

“Nairobi is one of East Africa’s fastest-growing hubs for tourism and trade and the arrival of Mövenpick in the city will cater to strong demand from the local business community and corporate and leisure travellers flocking to the capital,” said Andreas Flückiger, general manager, Mövenpick Hotel & Residences Nairobi. - TradeArabia News Service