Mauritius to welcome new Marriott brand
MARRIOTT International has announced plans to launch its Aloft
brand in Port Louis, Mauritius, in early 2019. This is Marriott’s
first adaptive reuse project in Africa. The existing nine-floor office
building will be transformed into a 150-room hotel, with loft-like
rooms and accessible technology. All rooms will offer harbour or
mountain views and platform beds, walk-in showers and Bliss
amenities. Other features include WXYZ bar, a Re:mixSM lounge,
SPG Keyless, a Re:charge fitness centre, a rooftop bar and
pool; Re:fuel by Aloft, a 24-hour deli and two meeting spaces
supported by an ‘In-Touch’ business area. Free WiFi will be
available throughout the property.
Zim lodge closed for renovations
BUMI Hills Safari Lodge, near the north-eastern border of the
Matusdona National Park in Zimbabwe, is being refurbished and
is set to reopen on July 1. The 10 garden-view rooms are being
turned into a gym and spa as well as pilot and guide rooms.
Following renovations, the lodge will have 10 rooms overlooking
Lake Kariba. The bathrooms of the rooms will be upgraded and
the private decks will be extended. The decking along the infinity
pool will also be extended to include a lounge and dining area.
Safari lodge joins aha portfolio
AHA Hotels and Lodges has secured the full management
and marketing contract for Sefapane Lodges and Safaris in
Phalaborwa. “The establishment will be known as aha Sefapane
Lodges & Safaris and will be fully incorporated under the aha
brand,” said Neil Bald, aha Hotels & Lodges ceo. The four-star
property has three lodge areas. The Sefapane Main Lodge has
thatched rondavels and safari houses; Sefapane River Lodge’s
rondavels are on the banks of the Olifants River in a private game
reserve that forms part of the greater KNP; and the Sefapane
Tented Camp offers family and dome tents. The Calabash Grill
restaurant serves African-style cuisine and local specialities.
New self-catering option launches in Pretoria
FAIRCITY Hotels and Apartments added Faircity Junction in
Menlo Park, Pretoria, to its portfolio on March 1. Faircity Junction
comprises 29 fully serviced luxury apartments and joins the
group under the Serviced Apartments brand, accommodating
short- and long-term stays.
Vic Falls lodge gets a refurb
ILALA Lodge in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, is in the process of
revamping 24 standard garden rooms, with estimated completion
by April. Baths are being replaced by a walk-in shower and a new
vanity area. The rooms will receive new carpets, sliding doors that
open to the lawn area, room fridges and coffee pod machines.
The lodge will create a new guest lounge area to allow for more
seating capacity near the reception area.
New property for BON Hotels
BON Hotels has added a 10th property, BON Hotel Grand Pela in
Abuja, to its Nigerian portfolio. The conference centre has three
meeting rooms seating up to 300 guests. The 87-room hotel,
which is five minutes from the city centre and close to the airport,
launched on February 10 and is ideal for corporate and business
travellers. Facilities include an in-house spa and beauty salon, a
gym, conference centre, restaurant, four bars and a lounge, and
two swimming pools. WiFi is complimentary throughout the hotel.
Rezidor Hotel Group to reopen Ugandan hotel
THE Rezidor Hotel Group, in partnership with AYA Investment
Group, has acquired The Pearl of Africa Hotel Kampala, Uganda,
and added it to the Quorvus Collection. The 296-room hotel will
open in the second quarter of this year. It is in the city centre, on
top of Nakasero Hill, and will feature a ballroom, nine meeting
rooms, two boardrooms and a business centre. Facilities will
include an all-day-dining restaurant, a sports bar and a pool
bar. Other attractions will include a private membership gym, a
wellness spa, two outdoor pools and one indoor pool, a children’s
club, retail shops, a grill steak house and tennis, squash and
volleyball courts.
