Aleph Hospitality Signs Franchise Agreement for New Protea Hotel by Marriott in Kenya

Main Photo: The Four Points by Sheraton Monrovia, recently signed by Aleph

Date: September 2019

Location: Kisumu, Lake Victoria, Kenya

Name: Protea Hotel – opening 2022

No. of Keys: 125

Owner: Bluewater Hotels, a family-owned hospitality company. Every Bluewater Hotels property embodies the essence of its location, inviting guests to become immersed in the natural and cultural splendour of their surroundings.

Each hotel in the collection is designed as a serene haven in tune with its environment. The hospitality company’s flagship hotel is located in western Kenya, an area of outstanding beauty, awash with rivers, lakes and forests.

Manager: Dubai-based management company Aleph Hospitality has signed to operate a Protea branded hotel in Kisumu, Kenya’s third largest city. Bluewater Hotels is developing the 125 room new build on the shores of Lake Victoria.

The hotel, due to open in early 2022, will run under a franchise agreement with Marriott. For Aleph, the move cements a relationship with Marriott started with the signing the Four Points by Sheraton in Monrovia, Liberia.

Aleph Hospitality is a dynamic hotel management company, working for owners to maximise the value of their assets in the Middle East and Africa. Aleph currently has nine hotels in its portfolio.

Bani Haddad, Founder and Managing Director of Aleph Hospitality, commented: “We are thrilled to work with Marriott International to bring the first internationally branded hotel to Kisumu, Kenya’s third largest city.

“As Aleph Hospitality continues to expand across Africa and the Middle East, we are delighted to once again collaborate with Marriott International, following the signing of Four Points by Sheraton Monrovia earlier this year.”

Edward Guda, Managing Director, Bluewater Hotels, added: “Our new hotel marks a first for Kisumu’s burgeoning hospitality industry, thanks to the agreement with Marriott International secured by our management partner, Aleph Hospitality.

“As the hotel owner, we benefit from the reputation and distribution of a major global brand, coupled with the regional knowledge and expertise of Aleph Hospitality, known for its world-class approach to independent hotel management.”

Located in Kisumu on the shores of Lake Victoria, Africa’s largest freshwater lake, the new hotel will feature 125 rooms with striking lake views, three food and beverage outlets, a rooftop infinity pool, gym, spa and more than 500m2 of meeting space.

Ideally positioned for domestic leisure, corporate and MICE business, Protea Hotel by Marriott Kisumu is located just 9km from Kisumu International Airport and directly adjacent to the Kisumu Yacht Club and Kisumu Impala Sanctuary.

“We look forward to working with Aleph Hospitality and Bluewater Hotels to make our debut in Kisumu with the Protea Hotels by Marriott brand,” said Yasin Munshi, Director of Lodging Development, Middle East & Africa, Marriott International. “This signing further strengthens our portfolio in Kenya, which remains a key growth market in our overall development strategy for Africa.”

Protea Hotel by Marriott Kisumu is due to open in January 2022. The hotel marks Aleph Hospitality’s continued expansion in Kenya, following the signing of Best Western Plus Westlands, set to open in Nairobi in Q4, 2019 and two further properties, one in Mombasa and one in Nairobi, which are both under construction.

Protea Hotels by Marriott is a leading hospitality brand in Africa and one of the most widely recognised across the continent. With properties in primary and secondary business centres and desirable leisure destinations, the brand remains a popular choice for travellers into Africa. In line with brand standards, Protea Hotel by Marriott Kisumu will feature modern facilities, proactive and friendly service and consistent amenities such as full-service restaurants, meeting spaces and well-appointed rooms.

THPT Comment: Aleph Hospitality, which has earmarked a pipeline of 35 hotels in the Middle East and Africa by 2025, has an ambitious growth programme…good to see them making this start.

First Seen: Aleph Hospitaliy website

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