Lekki: An island of hotels and leisure
Yet that outer beauty won’t dare compete with interior exquisiteness. Sauntering through the massive entrance gate to the reception hall, it is only natural that the hotel’s serenity drives one to be more mesmirized with its alluring beauty. The reception hall is a delight to savour. Well-laid tiles, brightly-lighted foyer, delightful receptionists and smartly dressed […]
Yet that outer beauty won’t dare compete with interior exquisiteness. Sauntering through the massive entrance gate to the reception hall, it is only natural that the hotel’s serenity drives one to be more mesmirized with its alluring beauty. The reception hall is a delight to savour. Well-laid tiles, brightly-lighted foyer, delightful receptionists and smartly dressed attendants, all combine to present a complete package of hospitality to a first time visitor.
Picking off with a 13-storey building that has 65 rooms and about two restaurants, four years ago, Lagos Oriental hotel now has in place a new 14 storey building with 365 rooms, five restaurants, and conference rooms, all in a bid to attract more customers. The customers in this category are nonetheless the societal well-to-do. The cheapest within the category of its rooms otherwise known as Classic Superior, goes for N75,000 while a presidential suite which appears to be the costliest goes for the princely sum of N462,000.
“In terms of accommodation, I will say our rooms are well-priced, they are not too outrageous and with the building of a new structure, we are hoping to make hotel accommodation prices around here, a little more competitive. We look forward to accommodate everybody,” Taiwo Alli, Public Relations Officer, Lagos Oriental hotel said.
Perhaps one distinct way the hotel has adopted in accommodating everyone is the creation of restaurants that specifically appeal to nationals of different countries that patronises it. According to Alli, despite being owned by a Chineses group, Oriental hotel understand divergence needs of its customers and had thus put in place, Nigerian, Lebanese, Chinese, Americans, Koreans and Japanese restaurants.
“We are aware of divergent nationalities, cultures and ethnicities around the world and considering the fact that we have patronage from all these people, we can’t afford to toy with those things that appeal to them. Our conviction is that if we are to truly key into the emerging market we need to put all of these in place. It is the greatest edge we have ahead of others,” Alli said.
At a stone-throw distance to Oriental hotel is Fourpoint Sheraton hotel. Carved in the image of a sailing ship, the seven storey building easily commands attention of passersby especially those who may be linking Lekki/Ajah express way from Oniru estate. The upper part of the hotel edifice is painted in white while its basement is cloned in grey.
The whole architectural masterpiece seems to be the hotel’s greatest asset. A receptionist who wouldn’t want her name mentioned confirmed that there were customers who have had to patronise the hotel simply because they wish to experiment what it takes to stay within an edifice that cuts the image of a ship.
“I think the carving of a ship image has to do with the location. We are very close to the Atlantic Ocean and you know that a ship is in need of water to successfully sail anywhere. And to a certain extent I would say quite a number of our customers often seem enthralled with our unique edifice. They simply yearn to experience it,” the receptionist said.
But not all of the hotel’s customers are drawn to it by its captivating image. Jack Webster, a Briton who said he was on a business trip to Nigeria said he got hooked up to the hotel after obtaining necessary information about it, online. Webster said what appealed to him most is the serenity within which the hotel is located. To the Briton said, the fact that the hotel is not situated within the chaotic Lagos environment is indeed the greatest strength.
Quite a few other hotels in Lekki also reap bountifully from cool ambience within which they operate. Lekki Peninsula Hotel for instance, has an edge in that regard. Located within the prime section of Lekki phase I, Peninsula hotel had succeeded in cornering the patronage of those within the middle and upper classes, specifically those who chose to live quietly.
“Our reason for creating conducive environment is simple. We do that to make ourselves attractive to those who crave to be on their own and carry out studies, researches as well as relaxation. They don’t want to be interrupted with the hustling and bustling that goes on out there. And it is our responsibility to respect that privacy. There are many prominent Nigerians that come to our hotel and stay up to two weeks or even one month, without you knowing they are here,” Blessed Adams, Purchase and Store officer, Peninsular Hotel, said.
Such testimonies are the glittering sides of hotel and hospitality industry in Lekki. The industry like any other has its other sides too. And for those who have seen it all, the challenges have indeed become inspirations and not problems.
Otu Aniefiok, manager, Embassy Court Hotel, has a firsthand experience he wouldn’t like to gloss over. At the time of Sunday Trust’s visit, it was observed that hospitality services at the Embassy Court have temporarily seized to pave way for its on-going refurbishing. The renovation idea wasn’t arrived at overnight. It was a last resort strategy to woo reluctant customers.
Ironically, Embassy Court appears the most masses-friendly when one compares it with other hotels in the environs. Apart from offering the cheapest accommodation rates, the hotel also has other incentives specifically put in place to entice customers. For instance, a classic superior room which is the cheapest in Oriental hotel goes for N75,000, whereas a budget/economic room at Embassy Court attracts a paltry sum of N12,000. The presidential suite which goes for a mouth-watering N462,000 in Oriental will only cost Embassy Court customer the sum of N80,000.
In addition, Embassy Court hotel management has in place, 10 percent special discount rates for visiting Nigerians living in Diaspora. Such discount is also extended to members of AAA, ANAC, AARP, retired or active military officers, students, Rotary Club members, staff members of Lufthansa airline, British airway, Airfrance, among others. The rule only requires these set of people to show proof of residence abroad or discount programme participation.
“It is true that our hotel accommodation is relatively cheap when compared to other hotels. That notwithstanding, we have come to realize that a large chunk of hotel customers does not seem to bother with the cost but quality of services. In our case, we have not been adequately funded until recently. As you can see, we are upgrading our facilities. And we hope to make remarkable progress in the nearest possible time because hotel business in Lekki requires lots of patience and financial wherewithal,” Aniefiok, the manager, said.
For other hoteliers, the perennial traffic hold-up along Lekki/Ajah expressway is one bitter experience they have had to contend with in their business. In his account, Adams of Peninsula hotel said there are quite a number of customers they have lost to hotels in Ikoyi and Vitoria Islands just because of the perennial traffic problem on the expressway. According to Adams, the thinking among those customers is that if good hotels that have relative peaceful atmosphere are in Victoria Island and Ikoyi, it is only wise to stay put there rather than strutting through the Lekki/Ajah traffic jams.
Other things aside, operators of Lekki hotels also complain about Nigerian erratic power supply which they say had forced them to rely solely on electrical generators as alternative power sources. They lamented how they are expending outrageous sums of money on diesel to power their respective plants on annual basis and how this has been factored into the charges being dished out to their customers.
Interestingly, none of the hoteliers expressed willingness to quit the business or the environment. They argued that the teething problems notwithstanding, they see ahead of them, a prosperous future, one in which the industry they belong to will be playing a prominent role. And for those who have that foresightedness, they already have in place machineries to achieve that.
“Oriental hotel has since envisaged a blossoming future in Lekki hotel and hospitality industry. Already, we are dominant players and for years to come we will be. We know that as we moved into the future and Lekki evolves to become Africa business hub, the competition will become stiffer with lots of hotels springing up here and there. It is the more reason we now have in place the other 14 storey building. We are no doubt conscious of the future and we are greatly preparing for it,” Oriental Public Relations Officer, said. His view is the aggregate submission of other hoteliers.