Kempinski manages a unique property in accra

The centrepiece of an integrated mixed-use facility offers the largest hotel rooms in Ghana

Kempinski Hotels has been awarded the management contract for a new five star luxury hotel in the racecourse site in the centre of Accra, Ghana. The first property for the group in Ghana, Kempinski Hotel Accra is expected to open in 2010.

The project plans for the provision of 267 rooms including 17 luxury suites, 2 presidential suites. At minimum 40 square metres for the standard room size, the hotel will have the largest rooms in the city. Due to the nature of hotel demand in Accra, the hotel is being designed and is expected to be operated to cater primarily to the business segment.

The hotel will house a variety of leisure facilities including four restaurants offering a range of international cuisines, two bars, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, spa, fitness centre, tennis and squash courts and shopping facilities.

Corporate guests will be equally catered to with over 1500 sqm of conference and banqueting area including modern meeting rooms boasting state of the art conference and banqueting facilities, audio visual facilities a fully equipped business centre and a business lounge.

Zakhem International Construction Limited have been selected by the Government of Ghana as the developer of the hotel which is located on prime commercial real estate on the old Accra racecourse in the heart of the city, adjacent to the Accra International Conference Center, ministry buildings, the State House, the National Theatre, the Accra Sports Stadium, and various commercial office towers.

Kempinski Hotel Accra is set to be the centrepiece of a Public-private partnership project with integrated mixed-use hospitality facility, "Gold Coast City", which covers an area of some 35 acres and would include residential apartments, retail space, an exhibition centre, offices and government buildings.

Ulrich T. Eckhardt, President of Middle East & Africa for Kempinski Hotels, said “The property in Accra is a splendid opportunity due to its fantastic location and the general demand for quality hotels, while supply is on the increase due to the political and economic stability which Ghana now enjoys.”

“This new addition to our portfolio confirms our determination to grow in this region in general and within Africa in particular. We have high hopes for Africa and a strong will to continue pursuing our plans in this amazing continent.” Eckhardt concluded.

Construction will commence in March 2008 with total project cost estimated at USD 49.4 million mostly financed through the African Development Bank and Amalgamated Bank of South Africa.