French hospitality group Accor, which has been given management rights for the Safari Hotels and Conference Centre following its acquisition by Kasada Capital Management last year, says it has embarked on a N$100-million phased refurbishment exercise for the hotel. Â
Accor said Safari Hotel renovations which will see it converted into Ibis Styles, an economy brand, are scheduled for completion next year. While those of the Safari Court Hotel to be converted into a Movenpick, a high-end brand, will follow thereafter.Â
“The refurbishment is already underway and it will be undertaken in phases. The Safari Court Hotel will be converted to Movenpick, and the Safari Hotel will become an Ibis Styles. The Ibis Styles (existing Safari Hotel) will be completed and rebranded first, followed by the Movenpick (existing Safari Court Hotel). We expect the full rebranding of the Ibis Styles to be completed in 2023,†Accor’s Director of PR and Communication Sarah Fernandez told The Brief.Â
She said although the hotels remain open, some sections will be closed while the renovations progress, which are being funded by a kitty provided by Kasada.Â
“The refurbishment is already underway and it will be undertaken in phases. The establishment will remain open through the refurbishment, with works being [done in] phases, meaning sections of the both hotels will be closed at times as works take place,â€Â Fernandez said.Â
The Safari Hotels and Conference Centre consists of the 215-key Safari Court Hotel, the 199-key Safari Hotel and Namibia’s foremost Meetings, Incentives, Conferencing, Exhibitions (MICE) venue – the Safari Court Conference Centre that includes a 1,600m2 grand ballroom that can hold up to 2,400 delegates.Â
The acquisition, the first investment in Namibia by the Qatar Investment Authority-backed fund, brings its portfolio to a total of 10 hotels and over 2,000 rooms in four countries as it seeks to reinforce its position as a leading hospitality platform in Sub-Saharan Africa.Â
The deal, which was funded through a N$2.6 billion debt facility granted by International Finance Corporation, in collaboration with Proparco, received approval from the Namibian Competition Commission (NaCC) in June.
