Nigeria’s First ‘7-Star Deluxe Hotel’, Fraser Suites, Berths To Rival Transcorp Hilton, Others

FUNSHO AROGUNDADE

Come Wednesday May 9, President Muhammadu Buhari will commission in Abuja, Nigeria’s first seven-star hotel, The Fraser Suites Abuja.

Haroun Audu, the hotel’s Communications Advisor, in a statement said that at an exclusive guests-only ceremony, President Buhari will be supported by members of the diplomatic corps, heads of international multilateral agencies, regional bodies and international non-governmental organisations accredited to Nigeria.

He disclosed that a select group of Nigeria’s business elites had previously been invited on a tour of the Fraser Suites.

More top executives, heads of international/regional bodies, and heads of non-governmental have been given invitations to partake in the launch ceremony.

Fraser Suites Abuja, a 10-storey property, is the brainchild of one of Nigeria’s largest Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) giants, NASCO Group, who as the local partners engaged and got the Fraser team to commit to the partnership investment in Africa with the first project in Abuja.

“Fraser Suites Abuja is a Gold Standard facility, under the professional and management oversight of the world’s leading serviced apartments providers, under the world-acclaimed brand name – Frasers; and the Abuja edifice is the first of its kind in all of Africa,’’ said Audu.

An iconic landmark building located in the heart of the modern Federal Capital of Nigeria, Fraser Suites Abuja features 126 Gold-Standard residences that combine comfort, style & technology with outstanding facilities and exclusive in-house services.

With a wide range of apartments from studios to 4-bedroom penthouses, each unit is exquisitely appointed with contemporary interiors and luxurious finishes created by skilled craftsmen, while offering spectacular views across the lush city landscape.

Audu stated that sitting the hotel in the Central Business District, Abuja would further boost employment and foreign direct investment in the Territory as the NASCO Group is targeting a lush market ranging from people of diplomatic community, international businessmen who are looking for these kinds of apartments.

What does this mean for Transcorp Hilton?

The launch of the hotel, according to nairametrics.com, an online business website, could mean stiffer competition for Transcorp Hilton Hotel.

Fraser Suites is currently constructing a large hall which may be ready before the end of the year.

This could chip into Transcorp’s niche market, opined the website.

Recently, Transcorp Hotels Plc (the owners of the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja) earmarked about N40 billion for the renovation and upgrading of the hotel’s assets to maintain its clear sector leadership position.

Results for the first quarter ended March 2018 show Transcorp Hotel (the company) made revenues of ₦3.7 billion as against ₦2.7 billion in the comparative period of 2016. Profit after tax also increased from ₦400 million in 2017 to ₦597 million in 2018.

However, Audu said the Fraser Suites has been put in place to ensure the comfort of business travelers in Nigeria’s capital city.

Created to convey a sophisticated residence in the city, the hotel’s 126 suites each come with Nespresso coffee machines, kitchenette and luxurious L’Occitane bathroom amenities.

“These service apartments are not your typical hotel, it attracts clients that usually want to stay a minimum of 30 days for about one year in a room and so it is going to take care of that kind of market. It is like a home so you can stay there and do all your business and what have you,” said Audu.

There is also a focus on health and wellness.

Fraser Suites Abuja provides a broad range of recreational facilities all set around private landscaped gardens.

In addition to a fully-equipped gym and outdoor swimming pool, the property benefits from a luxurious Spa and children’s play zone.

Frasers Hospitality’s global portfolio, including those in the pipeline, stands at 148 properties in more than 80 cities with over 23,600 keys worldwide.