SERENA’S CITY HOTELS – ON AN UPWARD CURVE
(Posted 05th January 2018)
Serena Hotels is spreading hospitality excellence into the Democratic Republic of Congo where East Africa’s leading hotel group is set to open a new hotel before mid 2018.
Located right at the shore of Lake Kivu, albeit without a sandy beach, will the new property, managed not owned it is understood, offer guests some 100 rooms and suites, finally bringing a quality hotel of anticipated five star ranking to Eastern Congo’s largest city.
The move will extend Serena’s reach in Africa from hitherto Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, Uganda and Rwanda to a sixth country.
More details about the new hotel will be published here over the coming weeks, such as added facilities like conferencing and other services one comes to expect from Serena, wherever they are.
Meanwhile has work continued at the Serena city hotels in Dar es Salaam, in Kampala and of course in Nairobi, where a major rebuild is underway.
The 36 new Suites and Executive Rooms added to the Kampala Serena include a yet to be named second senior Presidential Suite, which will be larger, more luxurious and provide new levels of comfort to Serena’s top rated VVIP clientele.
The ‘Royal Suite‘ in the main hotel, named after H.M. The Queen Elizabeth II following her stay in Kampala during the Commonwealth Summit of 2007, will on opening of the new facility become the hotel’s number two as the latest trends in technology, equipment, security and furnishings have been incorporated in the country’s largest such suite. This new showcase will no doubt become Uganda’s top hospitality offering. Be it Heads of State, Heads of Fortune 500 companies, the who is who of high finance, movers and shakers and of course the stars of the entertainment industry from Hollywood to Nollywood to Bollywood, this will be their place to be as there simply is no better anywhere in the country – and I say that after a sneak preview a few days ago during which the taking of pictures was not quite yet on the cards for the new Presidential Suite.
All other rooms in the new wing will also be larger and again include the latest technologies and layouts, for sitting rooms, bedrooms and bathrooms. Work desk sockets will include, as will bedside sockets, USB port technology and and be able to accept literally any kind of plug used around the world.
(New bedroom at the Kampala Serena Hotel’s new wing)
(New bathroom at the Kampala Serena’s new wing rooms)
Overall will the number of rooms rise from the present 152 to 188, also reflecting the growth in demand the hotel has experienced over the past 11 years since it opened under this leading East African brand.The Pearl of Africa, Kampala’s award winning fine dining restaurant, is presently undergoing remodeling and will on reopening feature a champagne bar while hotel guests will soon be able to access a dedicated lounge on the 5th floor of the original main wing, free of charge for anyone booked in one of the hotel’s suites or holding a Serena loyalty card.
Later in 2018 will then the Serena Conference Centre undergo a major transformation when all the ‘old’ goes out and the latest technology will be introduced to make this city centre facility the best of its kind in Uganda too.
Find the link to this correspondent’s TripAdvisor Review of the hotel below for added information: https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g293841-d623934-r537858736-Kampala_Serena_Hotel-Kampala_Central_Region.html#CHECK_RATES_CONT
Meanwhile has work on the five star rated Dar es Salaam Serena Hotel also progressed with the entire ground floor remodeled and upgraded, from reception to ballroom and from restaurants to bars.
(Jahazi Restaurant at the Dar es Salaam Serena)
The hotel’s Jahazi Restaurant is now arguably Dar es Salaam’s finest sea food restaurant, the setting enhanced with exquisite cutlery, crockery and crystal glasses. The main Serengeti Restaurant has also been restyled and the culinary experience also been upped through extensive training of the kitchen staff and local chefs and even the Kibo Bar and Terrace shines in a new lights
But there is more! Relax, rejuvenate and be active at the new improved and expanded Maisha Gym and Spa which makes for the ultimate wellness escape in the heart of Dar es Salaam.
Facilities include a Steam Bath and a Sauna that provide a his and hers option, spacious ladies and gents changing rooms and a new aerobics classroom. The Gym has been expanded to create more work out spaces and is now equipped with the latest state of the art machines and equipment by international brand Technogym.
Some of the equipment includes spinning bikes, cross trainers, stretch bikes, hyperextension machines, pectoral fly machines amongst others. The re-energized Maisha team is at hand to guide guests and members and give them a workout that will leave them feeling vibrant and invigorated. What better way to end your workout than with a leisurely dip in the outdoor pool.
Large on the horizon now looms a modernization of the rooms at the Dar es Salaam Serena and like with the Kampala Serena will updates be published here when pictures of the new sample rooms are ready.
Again, a link to a TripAdvisor Review is shown below: https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g293748-d305514-r499547678-Dar_es_Salaam_Serena_Hotel-Dar_es_Salaam_Dar_Es_Salaam_Region.html
Finally to the Nairobi Serena Hotel, which in the late 1970’s into early 1980’s used to be this correspondent’s home, literally, as a permanent guest in those days.
Today has the Nairobi Serena become one of Kenya’s leading city hotels, despite more recently arrived competition, with in particular food and service standards second to none.
(Architectural impression of the Nairobi Serena expansion)
The Nairobi Serena is undergoing a major transformation are present and will see new facilities come on line during 2018 and 2019 with yet more in the pipeline for the future.
The scope of works includes state of the art function and meeting rooms including a new ballroom; a parking garage for approximately 100 cars, reconfigured and upgraded guest rooms, a new top floor of guest rooms, a new dedicated executive lounge, a new specialty restaurant and a revamped hair saloon and guest shop. A completely refitted back of house area with improved infrastructure and added security features.
The first phase will comprise new front of house areas – the entrance, porte cochere, and reception, a refurbished North Wing with remodeled guest rooms and a new top floor of guest rooms including an executive floor.
What is still missing from this correspondent’s experience is the Polana Serena, the Grand Ol’ Dame of Mozambique’s hospitality industry but a visit is planned for this year and impressions will be shared as this leading city hotel in Maputo too has undergone major refurbishment and modernization to stay ahead of the pack.
Also click on the links below for related articles:
https://atcnews.org/2016/05/19/kampalas-flagship-hotel-turns-10-as-expansion-goes-underway/
https://atcnews.org/2017/03/26/the-kampala-serena-hotel-growing-bigger-and-better/
https://atcnews.org/2017/05/04/dar-es-salaam-serena-hotel-retains-five-star-status/
