Ethiopian Skylight Hotel eyes phase two and doubling the capacity
The first phase, opened two years ago, cost the airline some 65 million US Dollars but the investment was worth it as at the same time the expansion of the Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa – just a few minutes by car from the hotel – saw a massive growth in passenger numbers traveling through or to Ethiopia.
Now is construction underway for the second phase of the Ethiopian Skylight Hotels and the current pandemic and reduction in travel volumes has not stopped the Ethiopian government and the national airline from pushing ahead with the project.
The 637 additional guest rooms and suites were a year ago priced at about 150 million US Dollars and add to the present room count of 373. The new construction will, just like in the first phase, add a range of hospitality infrastructure facilities like restaurants, meeting rooms, gyms, a Spa and a parking garage for up to 550 vehicles.
The hotel is since October last year managed by Karl Hala, whose track record in Africa as a seasoned hotelier is second to none, after the airline moved away from the initial management arrangements with a Chinese firm.
