Seven local hotels were feted during the 2019 World Luxury Hotel awards where six emerged top in various categories across Africa as one topped in East Africa.
Elewana Kifaru House located in Lewa Conservancy emerged the continent’s overall luxury hotel with best scenic environment with Nanyuki’s Maiyan emerging top in luxury private pool villa category as Nairobi’s Sankara bagged the luxury boutique hotel award.
Sarova Stanley emerged Africa’s best luxury city hotel as Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort was named the best luxury beach resort as Sun International topped continent’s overall to be feted as the best luxury hotel group. Diani’s Lantana Galu Beach Hotel was the East Africa’s best family beach hotel.
Turkey’ Mandarin Oriental, Bodrum won the overall best hotel and destination award during the 13th annual World Luxury Hotel Awards gala was held in Finland last weekend.
World Luxury Hotel Awards are exclusive and recognise the best facilities and service excellence in the industry. The winners are judged on service delivery and effective management voted for by International tour operators, travel agents and hotel guests who get the opportunity to cast their votes annually.
The award organisers described the Turkish hotel as a luxury five-star hotel retreat with two private beaches and excellent leisure facilities, guests are invited to lie back, relax and savour the moment.
“With an idyllic location in Paradise Bay, Mandarin Oriental, Bodrum offers a seductive blend of style, serenity and five-star comfort. With a range of gourmet restaurants, relaxing spa and choice of rooms, suites and villas, the unique resort is definitely world-class.”
Notably, the number of local hotels featured this year went down by four an indicator of the stiff competition in Kenya’s hospitality sector.