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Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts expands
its portfolio in Africa
Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts marks
another milestone in its Africa
expansion strategy. This is in regard to
the construction work on the 160-key
upscale Mövenpick Hotel Abidjan which is
currently under way and set for opening
in 2020. Mövenpick Hotel Abidjan will be
the company’s first property in Côte
d’Ivoire and one of four currently in
active development in the region.
Other Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts
The
other three are Mövenpick Hotel &
Residences Nairobi in Kenya, which is on
track to open in 2018. Also, Mövenpick
Hotel Addis Ababa in Ethiopia set to
open in 2019 and Mövenpick Hotel &
Conference Centre Abuja in Nigeria set
for completion in 2020.Mövenpick
Hotels & Resorts currently operates
a 260-key property in Ghana – Mövenpick
Ambassador Hotel Accra. “As building
work on Mövenpick Hotel Abidjan
commences, we take another step closer
to realising our ambitious expansion
plans for the Sub-Saharan region,” says
Andrew Langdon, Chief Development
Officer, Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts.
Opening a modern lifestyle hotel in Côte
d’Ivoire’s commercial and banking centre
is a strategic move. It not only
capitalises on Abidjan’s growing
prominence as a major business hub, but
also reinforces Mövenpick Hotels &
Resorts’ presence in West Africa. This
initiative is crucial to the company’s
development strategy. This is because
they actively seek opportunities to grow
its portfolio and become a leading
hospitality company in the region. Mövenpick
Hotel Abidjan Mövenpick
Hotel Abidjan is located in the
heart of the city’s Le Plateau business
district. The hotel will help facilitate
trade missions, government-related
business and general commercial trade.
Once complete, the property will feature
an all-day dining restaurant; a
lounge/bar; an Executive Club Lounge; a
state-of-the-art fitness centre and a
contemporary meeting space. Mövenpick
Hotel Abidjan’s ownership is a joint
venture between Société Abidjanese de
Promotion Industrielles et Immobilières
(SAPRIM); it is a private company that
owns the office complex and mall
adjacent to the property, and renowned
construction firm Bouygues Batiment
International.
HOTEL INAUGURATION:
SOFITEL ABIDJAN, IVORY COAST
May 18, 2015
ABIDJAN, Côte d'Ivoire – The new wing of
the Sofitel Abidjan Hotel Ivoire was
inaugurated on Friday, May 15, in the
presence of HE the Prime Minister of
Côte d'Ivoire, M. Daniel Kablan Duncan;
M. Tiemoko Yadé, President of the
Economic and Social Council; M. Amadou
GON Coulibaly, Minister of State,
Secretary General at the Presidency; M.
Amon Tanoh, Minister, Chief of Staff of
the President; M. Roger Kacou, Minister
of Tourism, distinguished members of the
government and representatives of the
company Palaces de Cocody (SPDC).
Located in the upscale neighborhood
of Cocody, the Sofitel Abidjan Hotel
Ivoire is a legendary oasis
combining French luxury with African
culture. Overlooking the Ebrié
lagoon and the Plateau, this 5-star
hotel stands majestically in a lush
setting amidst greenery and water.
Sofitel Abidjan Hotel Ivoire,
meeting the requirements of all
customer segments, becomes the
Sofitel reference in West Africa and
consolidates the presence of the
Accor Group in the region, which now
has 17 Sofitel hotels in Africa and
the Indian Ocean.
« We are very pleased on this
inauguration day. It is a great
moment for Abidjan and Côte d’Ivoire
to see the achievement of the
renovation of the second building of
this hotel managed by Accor under
the Sofitel brand. The hotel is once
again a reference of hospitality in
Africa. », declared Mr. Thierry de
Jaham, General Manager of Sofitel
Abidjan Hôtel Ivoire.
The Director General of SDPC, Ms.
Maférima Diarassouba, said «By
appealing to the Accor Group, the
company « Palaces de Cocody » sought
to strive for excellence in the
renovation as well as in the
management of this historic hotel in
Abidjan."
This exclusive hotel in Côte
d’Ivoire was built by architect
Moshe Mayer in 1963. The Tower Hotel
has been beautifully restored in
2011 by architect Pierre Fakhoury,
who continued the works in the Main
Building. In July 2012, attended by
representatives of the Ivorian
government, SPDC and Accor signed a
management contract, entrusting the
fate of the hotel to Sofitel from 1
January 2013.
The renovation of the Main Building
completed, the iconic hotel today
offers a harmonious blending of the
Sofitel brand’s expertise with the
best of Ivorian traditions.
Sofitel Abidjan Hotel Ivoire offers
392 rooms, including 121 suites, 1
presidential suite and 31
apartments, with a total capacity of
423 keys.
For the interior, Pierre Fakhoury
has enlisted the services of
French-Argentine designer Luis
Laplace. The force of nature, bright
colors, the materials such as gold
and wood, are all symbols integrated
in the decoration. The art of
composition reflected in the
patterns of Ivorian fabrics,
geometry shapes and simplicity
inspired the designer.
Sofitel Abidjan Hotel Ivoire now has
four restaurants. In addition to «
Le Toit d’Abidjan » - located on the
23rd floor, offering panoramic views
of the city and the Ebrié lagoon–
and « La Gourmandise » at the heart
of the hotel, where African poetry
meets French flavors, guests will
find « Le Pavillon », a typically
Ivorian restaurant, and finally « La
Brasserie Française » offering the
great classics of the French
cuisine.
This offer is completed by the pool
lounge, « L’Oasis », and 2 bars, «
Cocoa Lounge » in the Tower and «
Link bar » in the Main Building, a
shopping mall with 11 shops and a 3D
cinema with 386 seats.
The hotel also offers 20 meeting
rooms including 9 new rooms, all
equipped with high- tech audiovisual
equipment. Next to the hotel, the
Abidjan Convention Centre features
an auditorium with 1,650 seats.
Guests who are PLATINUM Members of
the Club Accorhotels loyalty
program, looking for exclusivity,
will benefit from the services of
the Millésime Club at the Mezzanine.
Finally, the So SPA, 1,200 square
meters dedicated to well-being, will
be opening soon.
By Sofitel
SOFITEL LAUNCHES
THE SOFITEL ABIDJAN HOTEL IVOIRE IN COTE
D'IVOIRE
Sofitel Luxury Hotels
is launching its new flagship in West
Africa, the Sofitel Abidjan Hôtel Ivoire.
Located in the chic
Cocody district and blending French
luxury with African culture, Sofitel
Abidjan Hôtel Ivoire overlooks the Ebrie
lagoon and the Plateau. The Ivory Coast
property was built by architect Moshe
Mayer in 1963, and revamped in 2011.
Sofitel signed a management contract for
this property in July 2012 and 18 months
later, following a transitional period
of adaptation to bring the hotel in line
with brand standards, the Sofitel Hôtel
Ivoire opened in early 2014.
“Sofitel Abidjan
Hôtel Ivoire is at the crossroad of
different cultures, and reflects the
city in which it is located: oriented
toward the future, where modernity is in
harmony with the beauty of the
surrounding nature,” said Jean-Jacques
Dessors, COO Mediterranean, Middle East,
Africa. “This stunning hotel, a tribute
to Africa, has been designed to reflect
this unique experience, offering a blend
of French luxury with Ivory Coast
heritage.”
The Sofitel Abidjan
Hôtel Ivoire offers 209 guestrooms,
including two presidential suites and 40
junior suites. Each one is inspired by
Ivory Coast culture combined with a
French touch, and with warm tones that
give a special charm to every room.
Sofitel Abidjan Hôtel Ivoire also
features two restaurants. The panoramic
Toit d’Abidjan is located on the 23rd
floor and offers a 180° view of Abidjan
and the Ebrie Lagoon.At La Gourmandise,
the poetry of Africa meets the flavors
of French cuisine, at the heart of the
hotel.
The hotel also has
four modern conference rooms fitted with
high-tech audiovisual equipment. And
starting in early 2015, a second wave of
renovations is scheduled to create 217
guestrooms, including 84 suites and 31
service apartments, a Millésime Club, a
1,200 m2 So SPA, two restaurants and a
lounge bar, a cinema, nine meeting
rooms, a business center and ten
boutiques, as well as a casino.
Sofitel Abidjan Hôtel, www.sofitel.com
POURQUOI VISITER LA COTE D'IVOIRE
Cote d'Ivoire a longtemps été
le miracle économique de l'Afrique et une
modèle de stabilité sur le continent
Africain. Un lien avec la France jamais
l'ancien pays colonisateur jamais
complètement brise, les dirigeants post-independance
ont longtemps courtises la capitale
française pour créer une infrastructure
moderne et une prospérité considérable.
Houphouet-Boigny, le pressaient qui fut en
poste très longtemps était très
charismatique, et il était pour promouvoir
l'ides d'un amalgame heureux du capitalisme
occidental pragmatique avec des valeurs
africaines. La société qu'il a préside,
était cependant loin d'être libérale et le
reve a pris fin avec sa mort. Toutefois, le
pays regorge de quelques-unes des meilleures
attractions naturelles en Afrique de l'Ouest
comme le vaste Parc National de Tai de la
foret tropicale et la chaine de plages le
long de la cote atlantique. c'est aussi une
terre riche en tradition due a un mélange de
diverses tribus qui comprend les peuples
Dan, Lobi, Baoule et Senoufo.
Mais c'est vraiment la modernité qui définit
la Cote d'Ivoire, et qui la distingue des
autres pays d'Afrique occidentale. Abidjan
est décidément a part, elle propose en effet
des gratte-ciel scintillant qui etonne
encore de nos jours. Yamoussoukro dans le
Centre est celebre pour sa basilique, une
réplique étonnante de la basilique Saint
Pierre de Rome, qui incarne l'erre
Houphouet-Boigny, en quelque sorte, le lieu
actuel de l'Afrique dans le monde
d'aujourd'hui, puisque la philosophie du
grand montre peu de signes d'affaiblissement.
Visiter la Ville d'Abidjan:
Abidjan est la capitale économique et la
plus grande ville du pays, mais elle a
toujours eu une réputation mitigée suivant
les voyageurs. D'une part, il s'agit d'une
fastueuse et vibrante ville de gratte-ciel,
des boutiques chics et des restaurants de
qualité parisienne quatre etoiles - certain
la nomme "Paris de l'Afrique de l'Ouest.
Visiter la ville de Yamoussoukro:
Yamoussoukro est la capitale politique du
pays, sans ambassades, des ministères ou des
flux commerciaux conséquents, Yamoussoudro
est surtout connu pour sa basilique.
LA CAMPAGNE TROPICANA BEACH TO REPLICATE RESORT
IN 20 LOCATIONS IN COTE D'IVOIRE. LEADS
NIGERIA'S TEAM TO SITA 2014
Written by Wale Ojo-Lanre
FOLLOWING the successes and recognition of the
Ikegun Village, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos-based La Campagne
Tropicana Beach Resort, which features the inviting
ambience of the Atlantic ocean and the fresh water
lagoon, as a world class Africa themed resort, the
government of Cote d’ Ivoire has agreed to a
partnership deal that would see to the creation of
20 La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort at 20
different locations in the country by La Campagne.
This
development was the outcome of a meeting between the
founder and President of La Campagne, Otunba Wanle
Akinboboye and the government of Cote d’ Ivoire led
by the Minister of Tourism, Mr Roger Kacou and the
president of the country’s Tourism Development Fund,
Mr Marc Vicens.
In a
letter conveying this decision, the Cote d’ Ivoire
Minister of Tourism, Kacou said the decision to
partner with La Campagne is because of the African
concept of La Campagne, its infusion of Africa
architectural design and culture blended with a
contemporary feel.
Kacou revealed that it is this kind of concept,
which allows for the promotion of African culture,
the natural and eco-tourism friendly element of Cote
d’ Ivoire and other African countries that his
country look to promoting as its stepped up plans
for the revival and promotion of its tourism.
Work
is expected to begin soon on the building of these
20 La Campagne resort as the locations for the
project have already been identified and even toured
by La Campagne president during his recent visit to
the country.
In a
related development, La Campagne has also been
invited alongside Nigeria officially as special
guest to SITA 2014 with the mandate to organise and
lead the Nigerian team to the event, which is billed
to hold at the Golf Hotel, Abidjan between February
26 and March 2, 2014.
SITA,
is a yearly travel and tourism trade exhibition
organised by the country’s Ministry of Tourism to
promote Cote d’ Ivoire tourism and encourage
interaction with businesses and other key
stakeholders and operators in the different sector
of the economy.
Nigeria has been offered an exhibiting space of 40
square metres at the Village decouverte Du Monde to
display her attractions and also allotted 15 minutes
to perform at the opening ceremony while Nigerian
Day is fixed for February 28.
A
big and sumptuous gala night is expected to hold on
Saturday March 1 with Nigeria as special guest and
has 30 minutes to perform at the event. La Campagne
is given an exhibiting space of 18 square metres to
also exhibit its various products, particularly a
model of La Campagne, which is to be one of the
major highlights of the exhibition.
Already, La Campagne has intensified preparations
for the event as it has presently embarked on a
national mobilisation effort to enlist the
participation of the various tourism associations,
operators, stakeholders and allied businesses. The
Federal Ministry of Culture, Tourism and National
Orientation, Nigerian Tourism Development
Corporation (NTDC) and states ministries of Culture
and Tourism are also being canvassed for the five
days event.
La
Campagne has promised to make the event one of the
best outings for Nigeria in recent years as only the
best and serious minded operators and businesses
would be selected from the growing list of Nigerian
operators and companies who have indicated interest
at attending the event.
From
the Paris of Africa to its elegant
Roman Cathedral
by
Jerry W. Bird
|
 Abijan,
Cote d'Ivoire:
Having
heard our Associate Editor
Muguette Goufrani sing the
praises of her life and times
in Cote d'Ivoire and other
West African countries, I was
full of anticipation as we
boarded the Air Afrique jet at
the Cotonou, Benin Airport,
bound for the legendary Ivory
Coast. As serendipity plays a
big part in many of my African
journeys, the first Ivorian we
chanced to meet en route was a
Mr. Gakpo, "The Lobster Man of
Abidjan" (a possible song
title), who kindly invited us
to stay at his seaside inn the
following week. That
opportunity was a special
treat for several reasons, one
being that the Inter
Continental Hotel Ivoire was
full to the rafters and
rooftops, due to an
Africa-wide financial summit.
I'll never forget Mr. Gakpo's
stadium sized outdoor dining
area, open to the moist
Atlantic
 breezes,
and topped by a traditional
West African thatched roof.
While wining, dining and
cracking red lobster shells,
one can watch the ever-present
fishing boats bobbing up and
down in the waves, in search
of fresh seafood for
tomorrow's table.
Photo of the Atlantic coast,
courtesy of Best of Africa
Hotel. Photo below courtesy of
Haury Tours<
Abidjan.
What's
more, the place never seems to
close - allowing us to visit
well into the wee hours. Thus,
Abidjan's "Lobster Villa"
became our staging point for
one of the most event-filled
weeks in my lifetime. At the
time there was a major
renovation and expansion of
Mr. Gakpo's Beach Hotel in
progress. For reservations and
information phone (011)
225-27-40-86, fax
225-211-08
Meeting
Therese Haury was another
milestone. Like Mother Teresa
of another era, this travel
agent extraordinaire is
dedicated to helping Ivorian
villagers equip and supply
local health clinics. Her
souvenir- filled residence
overlooks Abidjan, the Paris
of West Africa. I plan to
devote an issue to the elegant
new homes and modern lifestyle
I saw emerging, as this young
giant of a city, the Paris of
Africa, enters the new
millennium.
 We
visited every district by
taxi, which proved to be a
relatively low cost mode of
travel. Haury Tours operates
two travel agency offices -
one in the central lobby of
Abidjan's 750- room Inter
*Continental Hotel Ivoire
(below right).
During
my first visit to the hotel,
Manager Peter Janssen
suggested we visit the
'basilica' at Yamoussoukro
(the capital). Air Afrique
showcased this 'wonder of the
world' on Africa Travel
Magazine's back cover in 1996,
the same year as our trip.
"You've come this far," I told
myself, "why not go all the
way?" So, when the sun rose
over the coconut palms at
Lobster Village the next
morning, I decided, rather
than fly or drive, we'd 'go
native' and purchase tickets
on the local bus.
Indiana
Jones in Abidjan: A taxi took
us to the bus station at
Adjame, which was like
something out of a Bogart or
Indiana Jones movie - mingling
crowds, a cacophony of sounds,
street vendors everywhere -
even a special room for the
Muslim population to perform
its ritual prayers. I didn't
know it then, but there are
several classes of buses
available, and we chose the
bargain version, a half day
milk run, with countless stops
and some unexpected
adventures, which in
retrospect made the journey
more memorable.
 Yamoussoukro
the Capital
Arriving at Yamoussoukro,
the elegant Hotel President,
another Inter *Continental,
became our center for a taxi
tour of the city. After a
refreshing lunch of aloco
(bananas, onions and grilled
fish), foutou (yams) topped by
an icy cold, long-necked
bottle of Flag beer at a local
'maquis,' (open air
restaurant) we drove by the
walled Houphouet- Boigny
residential palace. Its
version of a moat is a series
of ponds occupied by a horde
of hungry crocodiles. What a
fantastic setting for the next
James Bond or Indiana Jones
movie.
Speaking
of classic, grandiose
settings, Yamoussoukro's
basilica, a replica of St.
Paul's Cathedral in Rome,
lived up to its billings in
the Air Afrique advertisement.
Palatial grounds and marble
columns gave it a regal
presence - and 36 giant giant
stained-glass windows,
splashed a kaleidoscope of
colors across the interior, in
changing patterns. We vowed to
spend at least one Christmas
week in Cote d'Ivoire, to hear
the choir and enjoy the blend
of traditional European and
exotic West African music.
I
congratulated myself for
turning over my camera to a
local volunteer who stayed by
our side for almost two hours.
That way, for $30 US, we were
free to take in the
atmosphere, and visit every
corner of one of
Christianity's most awesome
sites, while he recorded the
occasion for posterity and
future publication such as
this. From these 36 treasured
photographs, we have enough
images to produce a fine
coffee table style book. With
much more to see and do in
Abidjan, we chose a speedy bus
for the return
trip.
Jerry
W. Bird
is
the Editor of Africa Travel
Magazine. He is also editor of
two Aviation/ Travel
Magazines, Air Highways and
WingSpan. (http://www.airhighways.com)
Muguette
Goufrani,
Africa Travel Magazine's
Francophone Editor covers West
African destinations and
events in detail. Her native
language is French and she has
lived in five West African
countries, working for Air
Afrique, Royal Air Maroc and
Citroen. As a Travel Agent,
she worked in North Africa,
where her family operates an
inbound tour company, and
later in Tahiti and Cambodia.
Muguette has been a partner in
the magazine since it was
founded in 1995.
E-mail
Muguette
with your travel experiences
in Cote d'Ivoire and other
West African destinations. We
welcome your input.
Noumea Tours. Nouvelle Caledonie,
Ocean Pacifique
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