Hamdala Hotel: The northern hospitality star trudges on

Hamdala Hotel is located in Kaduna metropolis, about one-hour drive from Kaduna International Airport and has remained the only premier hotel in the region which has weathered the storm to survive today as a legacy of the late Sir Ahmadu Bello.The hotel is owned by the New Nigerian Development Company (NNDC). The hotel has two […]

Hamdala Hotel is located in Kaduna metropolis, about one-hour drive from Kaduna International Airport and has remained the only premier hotel in the region which has weathered the storm to survive today as a legacy of the late Sir Ahmadu Bello.
The hotel is owned by the New Nigerian Development Company (NNDC). The hotel has two presidential suites, four executive suites, 10 VIP suites, 13 special suites, six studio suites, four special chalets and 161 luxury doubles.
Hamdala Hotel, considered the northern hospitality star is refocused on the vision of its founding fathers for more than six decades now.
The hotel is wearing a new look, and the changes are ongoing, as the 26 conditioned suites, exquisitely decorated with multiple view of the adjoining area with private balcony are attached to some suites. The presidential suites are tastefully furnished and equipped for comfort and relaxation of guests.
 The hotel is the ideal place for banquets, wedding and AGMs (Annual General Meetings). The elegant garden of the hotel provides natural scenery, beauty and relaxation. The hotel has a new unity hall that is fully equipped and furnished to taste.
The memorable quote of Sardauna at the foundation stone laying ceremony reads: “In this hotel we will have a befitting edifice: accommodation for all our overseas guests, 12-storey air-conditioned throughout; 150 bedrooms all with private bathrooms; a banquet room to seat 250 persons; a domed ballroom to accommodate some 500 guests, in addition, an air-conditioned cinema, TV theatre will be placed to lay side by side of the room block…”
The hotel is not left behind in acquisition and use of modern things. It has internet access facility, 24-hour service multi channel satellite system, two (1000kva) standby power generating sets, spacious parking lot, Olympics size swimming pool, standard lawn tennis court, garden, cocktail, airline booking office, shopping arcade, 500-600 seating capacity unity hall, 250 seating capacity Talib hall, 100-120 seating capacity Sardauna hall, 30-50 seating capacity motel hall, internet access facility, restaurant, car hire service, clinic, standard hair salons, large and spacious lobby.
 Management of the hotel can be said to be gender biased as most of the managerial posts are held by women—just one is reserved for the male worker. The General Manager is Mrs Kate Mamodu-Alaiyemola. Others are Mrs Saratu Shuaibu Lili as Front Office Manager, Mrs. Lola Ibitoye as Marketing Manager, Miss Omotayo Bamitale Iyanalu is the Senior Personnel Officer, Mrs Fadenipo Deborah Moradeke as the Executive House Keeper. The only gentleman is Ibrahim El Muhammad who is the Food and Beverage Manager.
The Acting Managing Director of Arewa Hotels, Alhaji Muhammad Rabiu El-Yakub who is the man in charge of managing Hamdala Hotel said Arewa Hotels Development Limited was established under NNDC in the early 1970s to develop and manage hotels on behalf of NNDC in the Northern region. And Hamdala Hotel has since been managed by the Arewa Hotels.
He commended the Sardauna for his foresight in the establishment of the hotel as it has saved the north from the embarrassment of not having a befitting hotel for its visitors and populace alike.
One of the challenges of the hospitality industry is the economic downturn as the people need shelter and catering for their visitors as is done in any society. The determining factor for the reverse of fortune is for the economy to start improving to make people economically buoyant, thereby improving business and social activities.
El-Yakub said the post 2011 crisis and the continuing insurgency in the region are affecting hotel business. He identified multiple taxations as another hindrance. “You pay tax to Hotel and Tourism Board, then to local and state governments,” he lamented. He called on the federal government to streamline this so that there will be no duplication of taxes so that services can be more affordable.
“Diesel is one of the guzzlers of the income of the hospitality industry as more than 50 percent of the income goes to diesel for power generation. Other costs are bad debts as by nature, you manage hotels owned by state government and some times it takes years before you recover the money which sometimes leads to liquidity. This factor impedes the performance of hotels especially in the north,” he stated.
 El-Yakub however advised those coming or willing to come into the industry to notify Arewa Hotel Development Limited to study the environment and advise the investor whether they can compete favourably to avoid bad investment.
 The story of Hamdala Hotel cannot be complete without the mention of the prestigious Hamdala Hotel Annex which was the favourite of the rich and mighty for its serene environment. It was surrounded by tall trees. It had extended garden and open multipurpose tents for open air relaxation.
For the six decades, Hamdala Hotel brought about the expansion of shopping centers around the hotel ranging from being the unofficial headquarters of bureaus de change, leather works, different fried, sliced and garnished meat (suya) shops, saloons, business centers and lots more.