Marriott International will grow its presence in Africa and has signed multiple projects under its Protea Hotels by Marriott brand. Marriott announced five deal signings in the continent from the Africa Hospitality Investment Forum in Nairobi.
Protea Hotels by Marriott has properties in primary and secondary business centers and leisure destinations across Africa. Aligning with the brand’s standards, the new five properties will include modern facilities, well-appointed rooms, full-service restaurants and meeting spaces.
The classic select brand accounts for more than 40% of Marriott’s African portfolio, representing more than 60 properties totaling over 6,500 rooms in operation in South Africa and eight more African countries (Algeria, Botswana, Malawi, Nigeria, Namibia, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia).
Currently, in Africa, Marriott has roughly 140 properties totaling 24,000 rooms across 20 countries and 19 brands.
“Protea Hotels by Marriott has a long-established legacy in Africa, and we are excited to further strengthen the brand’s footprint in the continent with these five signings,” said Karim Cheltout, regional vice president – development, Africa & All-Inclusive, EMEA at Marriott International. “While we continue to see demand for new build opportunities, the brand is seeing an uptick in conversion projects where developers are looking to rebrand their existing property into a Protea Hotel.”
The five projects announced during the African Hotel Investment Forum include:
PROTEA HOTEL BY MARRIOTT SEROWE, BOTSWANA
The hotel has been signed in collaboration with Letsatsi Partners. The hotel will be located near the Khama Rhino Sanctuary in Serowe, between Gaborone and Orapa, one of the biggest diamond-producing mines in the world.
Expected to open in 2026, the hotel will offer 155 rooms and suites, an all-day dining restaurant, a swimming pool, a fitness center and several meeting rooms.
PROTEA HOTEL BY MARRIOTT BAHIR DAR, ETHIOPIA
The hotel will mark the brand’s debut in Ethiopia. A conversion deal was signed with Blue Nile Resort Hotels PLC to rebrand the existing Blue Nile Resort to Protea Hotel. The hotel will undergo a complete renovation before reopening under its new identity.
The 127-room Protea by Marriott Bahir Dar is located next to Lake Tana and close to the Blue Nile River and is expected to open within 2025. The hotel will feature several dining outlets, around 1,000 square meters of meeting and event space and a fitness center.
PROTEA HOTEL BY MARRIOTT ZANZIBAR STONE TOWN, TANZANIA
An agreement has been signed with Parklane Holdings Zanzibar Ltd. to convert its existing hotel to a Protea Hotel. Located in Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the hotel is scheduled to open by the end of this year.
The hotel is expected to comprise 26 rooms, a rooftop bar and an all-day dining restaurant.
PROTEA HOTEL BY MARRIOTT ABUJA JAHI, NIGERIA
Anticipated to open in 2027, the hotel will consist of 144 rooms, two dining options, a swimming pool and meeting facilities.
In the developing district of Jahi in Abuja, Protea Hotel by Marriott Abuja Jahi will be a franchised hotel owned by Gold Reef Hotel Ltd. and managed by BON Hospitality West Africa Ltd.
PROTEA HOTEL BY MARRIOTT DELTA, NIGERIA
Marriott has signed an agreement with Dutch Gate Hotel & Suites Ltd. to convert its existing hotel to Protea Hotel by Marriott Delta. Slated to open in 2024, the hotel will offer 108 rooms, four dining venues, a fitness center, pool and meeting facilities.
Located in Warri, a major oil and gas hub in southern Nigeria, the hotel will be a franchised property owned by Dutch Gate Hotel & Suites Ltd. and managed by BON Hospitality West Africa Ltd.