The Iconic city hotel, The Hilton, will close its doors indefinitely in December after having successfully operated for over five decades in the heart of Kenya’s Central Business District.
As a result, it will lay off an unspecified number of workers, underlining the troubles of hotels in the wake of the Covid-19 travel slump and other factors beyond the pandemic that seem to have adversely affected its ways of operation.
The renowned hotel, which has 40.57 per cent shares owned by the government issued a statement that said it will just continue its operations in other various sectors other than the hotel.
“Following extensive discussions with the hotel ownership, Hilton Nairobi will close its doors for the last time on December 31, 2022, and cease operations,” a Hilton spokesperson told the Business Daily in an interview.
At inception, Hilton was the tallest building in Nairobi hence attained several visitors both foreign and domestic as it was a popular base for tourists to Kenya seeking adventures in the country’s famed game parks and reserves.
The hotel promised tourists unique city views from its high-rise tower rooms and was a popular hangout for wealthy businessmen and tourists.
It has 287 rooms, 45 twins, 185 doubles, seven suites, 22 pool rooms and 27 executive rooms.
The renowned hotel, which has 40.57 per cent shares owned by the government said on Wednesday it will not quit Kenya and will continue to operate its other brands in the country although the CBD branch is set to go off business.
It began operations in Nairobi on December 17, 1969, and was officially opened by Kenya’s founding President Mzee Jomo Kenyatta during its onset in commencing the business operations in Kenya at an early time.
