Africa can be hard work. And when you’re travelling in Africa you need a place where you can rest properly. Laico Hotels and Resorts boasts 14 hotels across this fascinating continent, including four resorts that offer the level of comfort that international visitors expect. “All our hotels,” says marketing manager Renaud Bachoffner, “are places where a visitor can really unwind and rest properly, enjoy free Wi-Fi and internet access and world class cuisine.”
Africa is in great need of hotels that really understand the needs of international business visitors, says Mr Bachoffner. So what are visitors’ main priorities? “They want an oasis really,” he says. “They want large comfortable rooms. But they also don’t want a sterile environment. So our hotels use a mix of local art and crafts to decorate them.
Most of all I would say our guests don’t want hassle. They want a place where they can go for a swim or use the fitness centre. They want and deserve real relaxation from the rigours of their trip.”
Laico Hotels and Resorts are now expanding and upping the quality of many of their hotels. The group has just completed the renovation of their Laico Bahari beach in Dar Es Salaam Tanzania, which now boasts 100 deluxe rooms by the beach and a brand new conference centre seating up to 600 people, opening in March 2010.
Laico’s portfolio is already extensive, with a diverse range of hotels offering more than 3,000 rooms. All hotels boast between four and five stars, with many hotels in city centres catering to the growing demands of businessmen.
Exceptional conference and meeting facilities are at the core of Laico’s offering to visitors, with extensive wellness facilities, including Jacuzzis, swimming pools, spas, beauty facilities and fitness equipment presenting excellent opportunities for recreation.
Meeting is an art
The demand for first class facilities in Africa is considerable. There are plenty of hotels but not many major five star operations with the clout and experience to handle important conferences with ease. “When a corporate, for example, asks for a meeting space plus lunch and coffee breaks, they get their own project manager for each event,” says Mr Bachoffner. “An event should flow easily, with projector, microphones all tested and working, the coffee breaks at the right time plus a first class buffet lunch by the pool if required.”
A good meeting means comfort and enough capacity for everyone to feel they can move around easily. “Our conference facilities can accommodate up to 600 people at any one time,” he says. “Many major summits take place in our hotel. International organisations, corporates, government agencies and NGOs, it’s a very broad and demanding mix.”
Delivering a successful meeting means attentive service at every stage, and knowing that even the smallest detail can have a big impact. For example, although Africa can be intoxicating, it can also be frustrating and hard to get around.
Many airline flights to major hubs like Casablanca or Cairo leave early in the morning, “so we make sure at all our hotels that there are regular shuttles to the airport,” continues Bachoffner. “If a flight needs to be re-arranged, then our concierge service will organise that. It’s about service, security and peace of mind.”
Changing places
Despite the global credit seizure, Laico Hotels and Resorts continue to see strong business demand. It’s partly down to the fact that Africa is less dependent on global credit – many African countries are effectively cash economies – and also the fact that the African continent is undergoing dynamic change itself. Many African countries have reduced their debt levels and are also able to afford to stimulate their economies where necessary.
Indeed, the president of the African Development Bank, Mr Donald Kabureka, has predicted Africa‘s gross domestic product will grow by up to six percent in 2010 as the continent recovers from the global downturn.
“In terms of business meetings and corporate stays,” Mr Bachoffner says, “I would say that we have seen some evidence of shorter breaks, but not much. That’s because for many businesses and clients, travelling is a necessity; as is a high standard of rest and accommodation. People still need to see their colleagues and clients face to face. But we’re also aware that people want value for money at the same time.”
Laico venues appear quite distinctive, both inside and outside. Is this a conscious decision to differentiate themselves from the competition? “Well, our hotels are a mixture of the modern and the more traditional, such as the Lake Victoria Hotel in Entebbe, a British colonial style hotel. But it’s a mixture of modern comfort with an African touch, I would say. Some places are very minimalist indeed, but they all have their own personality, and each hotel delivers the same service and attention to detail that you would expect.”
Further upgrading
In order to maintain their market dominance in the African market, Laico Hotels and Resorts are in the middle of a major refurbishment campaign. They’ve completely renovated the Laico Maya-Maya in Brazzaville which re-opens in August: just in time for Congo Brazzaville’s National Day celebrations. They’re also completely renovating the 78 apartments of Laico Okoumé Palace in Libreville Gabon, followed by all the guest rooms, floor by floor. The executive floors of Laico’s Regency Nairobi are also being renovated. Meanwhile the renovation of the rooms and four main suites of Laico Lake Victoria Entebbe has just been completed.
The biggest renovation project of them all is a complete renovation of Laico Tunis: this will see a substantial enlargement of its conference facilities, and it re-opens in June 2011. This overhaul will reposition Laico Tunis as the leading hotel of the Tunisian capital thanks to its exceptional location in the very centre of the city, only seven minutes away from the airport.
Real African wellness
Wellness and experiencing nature up close is an increasingly important aspect of any visit to a Laico hotel or resort. For example, the Laico El Farouk Bamako hotel is superbly located right on the banks of the Niger river. Enjoy a unique experience cruising on one of the longest rivers of Africa in a traditional Malian river boat, the Pirogue. Ideal for recreation or a romantic rendezvous, the Pirogue cruise is also an occasion to get out for some fresh air and exercise, not to mention enjoy stunning views. Especially fulfilling after a hard day’s work.
Almost all Laico hotels offer fabulous spas, Jacuzzis and steam baths, not to mention massage and fitness equipment. Many offer beauty salons and just about all offer tennis courts with golf course facilities nearby. It’s a very attractive mix of recreation, relaxation, stunning views and the opportunity to experience nature at its best.
Tel: +216 71 96 42 33; fax: +216 71 96 30 40; www.laicohotels.com