Safari Hotels joins Accor, rebrand coming soon

WINDHOEK-BASED hotel and conference centre, Safari Hotels has become the first property in Namibia to join Accor’s management portfolio – with plans in motion to improve it to a state-of-the-art asset.

The company was recently sold to Mauritius-based Condor Kite, for an undisclosed amount.

In July, The Namibian reported that the sale brought an end to a five-year struggle by the hotel’s owners to find a buyer, with locals showing no interest in the deal since 2017. The sale included the hotel and the surrounding undeveloped land.

Condor Kite is owned by the investment fund Kasada Hospitality Fund. Accor manages over 5 100 properties in approximately 110 countries, which equals over 10 000 food and beverage venues.

Safari Hotels consists of a 255 court hotel, another 199-key hotel, as well as 16 venues including a 1 600-square-metre conference catering to 2 400 delegates.

With the hotel now under new management, The Namibian understands that the property will undergo significant refurbishment in the coming months, as well as a rebrand.

“The Safari Court Hotel will be re-imagined as an upscale brand and the Safari Hotel will be rebranded to suit the economy sector of the group’s portfolio. Upgrades, which will be conducted while the property remains open, will span the entire complex and improvements will include the addition of new dynamic dining venues and hospitality concepts,” said Accor.

Craig Erasmus, Accor’s vice-president of operations sub-Saharan Africa, said Safari Hotels and Conference Centre is a landmark property, synonymous with Namibian hospitality, and its transition to a branded hotel complex under Accor’s expert management and new visionary ownership will capitalise on its facilities, location and reputation to realise its true potential.

“We look forward to continue welcoming our guests as we usher in a new exciting chapter for this city resort, promising an enhanced hospitality experience that will make for a memorable stay,” he said.

Namibia has seen many hotels and restaurants going out of business and being acquired by other companies since the Covid-19 pandemic began. With these acquisitions taking place, the hotel and tourism sector can remain hopeful of a rebound taking place over the next few years.

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