Over 300 hotel projects in Africa’s pipeline
2020 will see 42 hotels with 8,814 rooms launch, of which 31 are already in the pre-opening phase. 2021 is also looking busy, with 103 properties and 19,875 keys scheduled to go live in total.
Turning our attention to 2022, 71 more hotels with 14,317 rooms will open their doors, followed by a further 28 hotels with 9,113 keys in 2023. And finally, 57 properties and 14,146 rooms have already been mooted for 2024 and beyond. Interestingly, the spread of four- and five-star properties is broadly even – the database indicates there will be 153 of the former and 148 of the latter.
As one of the continent’s most popular holiday destinations, Egypt takes the lead on a country-by-country basis with 58 ongoing projects and 18,196 rooms. This puts it some distance ahead of Morocco, which comes in second with 39 planned openings due to add 8,870 keys.
Elsewhere, Nigeria will expand its hotel offering by 28 hotels and 6,524 rooms, while 20 properties with 3,252 keys will open in South Africa. Further down the list, 19 hotels will open in Ethiopia and 17 more are on their way in Kenya. 12 properties will open in Algeria, meanwhile, placing it ahead of Cape Verde (11), Côte d’Ivoire (nine) and Senegal (six).
Egypt’s capital Cairo leads this list with 15 new hotels and 4,321 keys. Marrakech takes second place with 14 upcoming openings and 2,160 rooms, followed by Nairobi in third courtesy of its 12 properties and 2,360 keys. Abuja, the capital of Nigeria, and Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, will both get 11 hotels each with 2,966 and 2,257 rooms respectively.
Radisson Hotel Group is pushing ahead with its ambitious growth plans in Africa and boasts two entries on our list of the continent’s five most active brands. Radisson Blu Hotels & Resorts has a pipeline of 22 properties and 4,179 keys, while Radisson Hotels & Resorts will open 15 hotels with 2,095 rooms. Away from Radisson, Hilton Hotels & Resorts will grow its presence in Africa by 19 properties and 5,287 keys. And over at Accor, Novotel will add 12 schemes to its local portfolio, while Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts has ten properties in the works.
While many interesting hotels are popping up across Africa, the two following resorts deserve a special mention due to their grand facilities and stunning locations.
The 100-room St Regis Tamuda Bay in Morocco will welcome guests from late 2021. It’ll be part of La Bahia Blanca, a landmark lifestyle resort development by Eagle Hills, an Abu Dhabi-based private real estate investment and development company. Set on a beautiful beach, the scheme will offer a specialty restaurant, an all-day dining restaurant, and a signature St Regis Bar inspired by the King Cole Bar at the brand’s flagship in New York; other facilities will include a spa, pool, and state-of-the-art fitness centre. The St Regis Tamuda Bay will also offer unrivalled event and meeting spaces, making it an ideal setting for functions large and small.
Our other featured property is also in Morocco – and also part of St Regis. The St Regis Marrakech Resort will be part of the Assoufid Golf Resort, offering 80 spacious rooms and villas with views of the Atlas Mountains. As well as leisure facilities such as a spa, pool and fitness center, the property will feature six distinct culinary experiences, including two specialty restaurants and the obligatory St Regis Bar. The resort is slated to open in 2024.
