Nairobi’s hospitality sector has welcomed its latest luxurious offering with the grand opening of the Hyatt Regency, which commenced operations on Wednesday.
This new high-end hotel aims to attract an upscale global clientele with its spacious accommodations, large television screens, a spa, and a yoga studio. Positioned alongside established luxury establishments such as GTC Residence Apartments, JW Marriott, and Kempinski, the Hyatt Regency’s debut serves as a marker of Nairobi’s thriving hospitality industry and its corresponding impact on the real estate sector.
Catering to both business and leisure travellers, the city’s hoteliers are working to foster environments that provide guests with a sense of home.
Nev Jiwani, Group Managing Director of Go Places, a key player in connecting hotels and guests, notes a significant shift in guest expectations towards more expansive lodging options.
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“Previously, we used to have small rooms. These days, we have new establishments that are more spacious, and you feel you are in your home,” she explains, underscoring the increasing demand for larger rooms among foreign visitors.
Moreover, tourists are attracted to Kenya not only for business-related events, such as conferences and meetings but also for the country’s unique experiences that encourage extended stays. Local attractions, inclusive of wildlife safaris, mountain climbing, street food tours, destination weddings, and shopping, are becoming integral components of travel packages.
Jiwani highlights the rising trend of destination weddings, stating, “People coming to Kenya want to exchange vows in the Maasai inland or the manyatta. They wish to celebrate traditionally while integrating local experiences with international flair.”
The growing demand for health and wellness amenities, including yoga studios, gyms, and health clubs, reflects a broader trend towards preventative healthcare and self-care, particularly within the trillion-dollar wellness market. According to the Tourism Sector Performance Report 2023 by the Tourism Research Institute, hospitality venues featuring spa facilities are well-positioned to capitalize on this demand.
The report also notes that “80 percent of consumers seek tailored experiences from retailers, and the tourism industry is no exception,” highlighting an expectation for personalized experiences among modern travellers. Denis Glibic, Director of Sales and Marketing at Hyatt Regency, describes Kenya as having significant growth potential in the tourism sector.
Glibic further elaborates on the high-end clientele business model, emphasizing the importance of demand in Nairobi. The city serves as the headquarters for various international organizations, including the United Nations, and is a key hub for visitors facilitated by Kenya Airways and other airlines.
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“We are high-end, and this means we have bigger rooms, bigger televisions, more services, and 24-hour room service, which not many hotels are offering. This is just another addition to the market that sets us a little apart,” says Glibic.
Tourism statistics from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics indicate that tourist arrivals reached 2.087 million in 2023, a notable increase from 1.5 million in 2022 and 871,000 in 2021. According to Hyatt Hotels Corporation, the Hyatt Regency brand in Nairobi aims to provide an unparalleled hospitality experience by merging elements of Kenya’s local culture with its signature service.
