Danish based Rezidor Hotel Group takes over Aya Hotel

An international Danish founded hotel group; the Rezidor Hotel Group has taken over the former Aya hotel and renamed it “the Pearl of Africa Hotel Kampala.” The development comes after Aya Hotel failed to reach an agreement with the Hilton Group which withdrew their brand from Aya last year.

The Rezidor Hotel Group owns a series of hotel chains around the world which are categorized under the Radisson Hotels, the luxury Quorvus Collection, Park plaza hotels and resorts, Park Inn, and the Country Inn and suites.

The 296-room Pearl of Africa Hotel Kampala will be managed under Rezidors’ luxury Quorvus Collection and will welcome its first guests in Q2 2017.  The Rezidor Hotel Group is one of the most dynamic hotel companies in the world and a member of the Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group.

The group features a portfolio of approximately 475 hotels in operation or under development with 104,000 rooms in more than 80 countries.

Following the takeover, Elie Younes, Executive Vice President & Chief Development Officer of the Rezidor Hotel Group said: “We are delighted to add our second Quorvus Collection hotel in Africa and thankful to our partners AYA Investment Group for bringing the Pearl of Africa to life with Rezidor.”

“Uganda is an important hub in Eastern Africa. Its central location in the region, rich natural resources and improved infrastructure will create further economic opportunities. We look forward to a successful journey with our partners and to make our social contributions by creating local employment opportunities and establishing our hotel as the social anchor of Kampala,” Younes added. 

He pointed out that the Pearl of Africa Hotel Kampala hotel is ideally located in the city center, on top of Nakasero Hill and will offer guests great visibility and views from surrounding areas.

Younes said that the property will feature a spacious 740 square meter ballroom, nine meeting rooms, two boardrooms and a business center. He added that the extensive conference and meeting facilities reflect the hotel's strong focus on the business travel market and event tourism.

“Guests will have a large choice of food and drink options, including an all-day dining restaurant, a sports bar and a pool bar,” he noted.

“Other attractions will include a private membership gym; a wellness spa; two outdoor swimming pools; one indoor swimming pool; a children’s club; several retail shops; tennis, squash and volleyball courts; and a grill steak house,” he said.

Upon signing the deal, Mohammed M. Hamid, Chairman of the AYA Investment Group said: “We are extremely pleased to partner with The Rezidor Hotel Group and add this pearl to Uganda’s hospitality scene.”

“Rezidor has already proven their capacity to successfully operate international hotel brands across Africa and has a very good understanding of the continent’s opportunities and challenges in the travel and tourism industry. We are keen on benefitting from Rezidor’s knowledge and showcasing an outstanding luxury hotel experience in Kampala,” Hamid added