Nairobi’s elite hotels are celebrating a financial windfall as they grapple with the surge in demand for opulent presidential and executive suites during the recently concluded Africa Climate Summit.
The three-day Africa Climate Summit, held in Nairobi, attracted over 20 heads of state, along with their delegates and other prominent figures, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, US Special Climate Envoy John Kerry, Chief Climate Officer of USAID Gillian Caldwell, and Germany’s State Secretary and Special Envoy for New Climate Action, Jeniffer Morgan. A staggering 20,000 delegates descended upon the city and reserved rooms in various high-end hotels.
Speaking to the Business Daily, one hotelier exclaimed, “September has kicked off on an extraordinary note as we found ourselves fully booked.” Some hotels charge as much as Sh1.03 million to Sh2.19 million per night per person.
The Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs had the authority to assign delegates to specific hotels as state guests. Sankara, a prestigious five-star establishment, had its presidential and two executive suites fully booked. The presidential suite, priced at approximately $10,000 (Sh1.46 million) per night, offers the luxury of a full-sized apartment.
Mohammed Hersi, a seasoned hotelier with over two decades of experience, emphasized the scarcity of presidential suites in Nairobi’s central business district and its vicinity, which could pose a challenge if Kenya were to host another major global event like the annual climate negotiations organized by the United Nations Convention of Parties (COP). Hersi pointed out that presidential suites can be transformed into multiple rooms to cater to more guests.
Joyce Wangui, the Director of Sales and Marketing at Sankara, highlighted the exceptional demand for luxury suites, especially from dignitaries, including heads of state and ministers. She revealed that bookings had been made well in advance, with all 168 rooms at the hotel taken.
Radisson Blu Upperhill also experienced full occupancy. Maryanne Njeri, the hotel’s Marketing Manager, mentioned that, besides all 271 rooms being booked, the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs made special requests, including reserving the presidential suite for $15,000 (Sh2.19 million) per night. Security measures were heightened to meet government requirements.
Villa Rosa Kempinski, known for hosting prominent leaders such as former US President Obama and current US First Lady Jill Biden, boasts one of the city’s most prominent presidential suites. This spacious suite, starting at $15,000 (Sh2.19 million) per night during off-peak seasons, comprises four bedrooms, a full kitchen, a lounge area, a private bar, and a terrace featuring a plunge pool and jacuzzi, covering an impressive 9,149 square feet.
While InterContinental, before its closure, offered a relatively sizeable presidential suite in the city, the space was frequently occupied by heads of state, dignitaries, and corporate leaders, contributing to additional accommodation in Nairobi.
Delegates of the climate summit seeking proximity to the KICC, the event’s venue, opted for Sarova Stanley and Sarova Panafric, conveniently within walking distance. These hotels saw their 388 rooms fully booked.
Caroline Wandetto, the Marketing Manager for Sarova Hotels and Resorts group, emphasized their extensive experience accommodating high-end guests, with accommodations, conference rooms, and restaurants at total capacity.
Randy Ngala of Mövenpick Hotel and Residences Nairobi reported that all 275 rooms and suites were fully booked, and food and beverage sales surged, even at the three-star hotel Ibis Styles, also managed by Accor.
However, not all hotels met the stringent standards to label their suites as ‘presidential.’ According to Mr. Hersi, specific features define a presidential suite, including its floor, private entrance, exit, separate bedrooms, a living room for meetings and interviews, a kitchenette, and a bathroom with a shower and a bathtub for relaxation after a long day.
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