Hilton Garden Inn to open in Uyo Hilton Worldwide today announced the signing of its first Hilton Garden Inn hotel for sub-Sahara Africa, in Nigeria’s South East city of Uyo, the capital of the country’s largest oil producing region of Akwa Ibom State. The 250-room Hilton Garden Inn Uyo, Nigeria, which is currently under construction, will form part of a highly anticipated, multi-purpose leisure complex comprising the city’s biggest sports and entertainment centre, a shopping mall and the Ibom Tropicana Water and Fun Park. With an expected opening date of early 2015, the hotel will be ideally located for easy access to Akwa Ibom International Airport and conveniently close to Uyo’s central business district and the upcoming convention centre, also forecast to open in 2015. Welcoming today’s announcement, Patrick Fitzgibbon, senior vice president, Development, Europe & Africa, Hilton Worldwide said: “Africa is a vital growth market for us and this announcement further strengthens our commitment to the continent and to Nigeria in particular, where Hilton Worldwide has enjoyed a presence for almost 26 years. We’re looking forward to expanding in this strategically important economic region and welcome the opportunity to become part of Uyo’s growing, energetic city community.” Designed to appeal to both the business and leisure traveller, amenities at Hilton Garden Inn Uyo, Nigeria will include a 24-hour business centre, six multi-sized meeting rooms, complimentary high speed internet access, a state of the art gym, outdoor swimming pool and a choice of three restaurants and bars. Adrian Kurre, global head, Hilton Garden Inn said: “Today is an exciting milestone for Hilton Garden Inn as we look forward to introducing our award winning services and style to the Nigerian market. The brand combines the best of Hilton’s trademark hospitality and innovation at a value for money, mid-range cost and we’re confident this latest addition to the portfolio will prove as popular and successful in Uyo as it is in over 570 different locations around the world.” Hilton Garden Inn hotels are designed to be highly functional and provide guests with a number of signature brand features including the pressure reducing Garden Sleep System bed, ergonomic Mirra chair by Herman Miller and complimentary high-speed internet access. Guests also have the opportunity to earn and redeem Hilton HHonors points and to take advantage of benefits enjoyed by over 34 million members worldwide. Chief Godswill Akpabio, Governor of Akwa Ibom State Government commented: “We’ve seen travel to the region grow considerably over the past few years and as that trend continues then quality hospitality infrastructure is crucial to sustain future success. We know that in Hilton Worldwide we have the right company and management partner and together we are committed to creating a world-class property with inviting facilities and service.” Hilton Garden Inn is the award-winning, upscale, yet affordable hotel brand that continually strives to ensure today’s busy travelers have everything they need to be most productive on the road – from our oh-so-comfortable Garden Sleep System® bed to complimentary wired and Wi-Fi Internet access in all guestrooms. So whether on the road for personal or business reasons, Hilton Garden Inn offers the amenities and services for travelers to sleep deep, stay fit, eat well and work smart while away from home. We even guarantee it with our Hilton Garden Inn Satisfaction Promise: At Hilton Garden Inn, we promise to do whatever it takes to ensure you’re satisfied or you don’t pay. You can count on us. GuaranteedTM. For more information about our locations around the globe, visit hgi or call 1-877-STAY-HGI. Hotel Spec, a procurement and consultancy business based in George, Western Cape, has been appointed as project manager and technical co-ordinator for the first two Hilton Garden Inn hotels in Nigeria. Former hotelier Mark Martinovic (above) is chief executive of Hotel Spec, a consulting firm dealing with all aspects of hotel design, project management, development and technical services, procurement, installations and commissioning of new and refurbished hotels. With international brands such as Radisson, Holiday Inn, Intercontinental, Hilton, Park Inn, Mövenpick and Sheraton, Hotel Spec has worked on over 50 projects in 21 African countries. Before founding Hotel Spec in 2003, Martinovic worked in the hotel industry for 16 years in Southern Africa and in the UK.
Posted on: Sat, 03 Aug 2013 02:19:35 +0000