Tamarind seeks larger bite of Kenya’s hotel industry

A hotel chain is banking on the growing interest in Kenya as a business hub to boost demand for hospitality facilities.

Nairobi has in the recent past hosted major conferences, exhibitions and seminars thus pushing up demand for bed capacity.

To fill this gap Tamarind Group, owners of the iconic Carnivore and Tamambo restaurants have expanded their niche and launched Tamarind tree hotel, a four-star facility fully owned by Kenyans targeting business and leisure travellers.

EASY ACCESS

The hotel is located within Carnivore grounds in Lang’ata, Nairobi offering easy access to all parts of the city. For a group that has achieved remarkable success in the restaurant and entertainment businesses, the management says the future looks bright.

Tamarind Group Chairman Martin Dunford, said they have always had a vision of owning a hotel that would offer an all-encompassing experience visitors.

“It has taken us seven years to get here. Our endeavour has been to redefine the hotel experience relevant to the growing millennial market of discerning business people and tourists alike. To do that, it required a lot of strategising and inputs in term of capital. We are glad that we have successfully delivered our vision,” he said in an interview with Smart Company last week.

MAJOR BRANDS

With an investment of more than Sh1.15 billion, Tamarind Tree Hotel joins the list of other recently set up facilities in Kenya.

Some of the major brands to launch or expand in the recent past include Sheraton, Ramada, Marriott, Hilton, Accor Hotels, Carlson Rezidor and Acacia Premier.

A report on Hospitality Outlook 2017-2021 by PWC an accounting consultancy firm notes that a total of 13 new hotels are expected to open doors by 2021 adding 2,400 rooms and expanding the hotel capacity by 13 per cent with a 2.5 per cent compound annual increase in available rooms over the next five years.

LEISURE ACTIVITIES

According to Dunford, the entry of Tamarind Tree is meant to cater for the locals in need of quintessential leisure activities and genuine services.

Local arts that accentuate the Kenyan culture adorn the walls of the 160 guest rooms and gives visitors an authentic earthly feel.

With the 24-hour Duka, visitors can enjoy light meals and snacks or have a meal at the hotel’s signature outlet Tamambo restaurant that offers distinctive international cuisines and an impressive variety of wine lists.