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BUSINESS DAY
C002D5556
Friday 27 July 2018
Hotels Top BusinessDay Partner Hotels
Four Point Hotels (Oniru Chiefatancy Estate,Lekki)
Transcorp Hilton Abuja 1 Aguiyi Ironsi Street Maitama, Abuja Tel: +234-708-060-3000
It’s tropical leisure at Ife Grand Resort & Leisure OBINNA EMELIKE
F
or years now, the ancient town of Ile-Ife has been drawing visitors from across the world, especially African Diaspora, to its rich cultural heritage. The town, which is highly acclaimed as the cradle of the Yoruba race and city of knowledge for the many universities within its environs, is offering visitors even more reasons to visit yet again. Of course, the Ife Grand Resort & Leisure is another reason to visit. Set on 250 acres of land on Kilometre 4, Ibadan Road, Ile-Ife, Osun State, the new resort is a tropical paradise for leisure seek-
ers and discerning guests who cherish tranquility and communion with nature amid personalised services without watching their back. The resort, which is promoted by Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, the Ooni of Ife, is set to rival offerings at Inagbe Grand Resort, in-between Lagos Lagoon and the Atlantic Ocean; also the brainchild of the Ooni. From the entrance, fresh air greets you while the warmth at the concierge sets you in the mood for indulgence. For lovers of aesthetics, the locally crafted concierge table, the bespoke furniture decorated with local fabrics such as Adire and Ankara, the centre tables made from timber cuttings, and the walls dotted with beautiful artworks, combine to delight the five senses, especially sight.
On offer at the resort are 68 rooms comprising 6, 8 and 10 room chalets and also single room option. The intrigue is that the furnishings are sourced locally and you do not need to probe to discover that the doors are made from local wood variants such as bamboo. For the culture enthusiasts, the resort hosts an African Village with 51 stylish huts named after the past Ooni’s (paramount rulers of Ile-Ife). The huts come in one-room in-suite amid world class facilities. Besides the huts, the African Village hosts Bamboo Restaurant and a local kitchen where guests can visit to witness how local food menus are prepared and also served to them on local pots; an offering said to interest African Diasporas most. Whilst in the village,
The Wheatbaker #4 Onitolo(Lawrence Road), Ikoyi, Lagos. Tel: 01 277 3560
guests have access to a standard swimming pool and children pool. However, the resort hosts a big restaurant and a stylish open bar, a replica of the floating bar on the Lagoon at Inagbe Grand Resort. While enjoying a lavish stay at the resort, guests who gain weight can also lose it by engaging in one of the numerous sports and fitness offerings including; lawn tennis, basketball, football at the mini stadium, which also hosts concerts, while children get busy as well at the well-equipped children playground. As patronage swells, the resort has some pipeline projects to carter to the growing demands. Work is ongoing at the 6,000 guests capacity civic centre, the Olympic size swimming pool is nearing completion, while works is also ongoing at the indoor spa centre offering service including manicure and pedicure. It is exciting moving around the resort vicinity and walking across streets named after some Yoruba towns such as Abeokuta, Ijebu, among others. For Fadekemi Adenipekun, an Ife princess and director of the resort, the management is committed to offering world class services, facilities and memorable experiences alongside exposure to the rich cultural heritage of Ife people and the entire Yoruba race. Beyond upholding high quality hospitality culture, she noted that the promoters of the resort seek to boost the economy of Ile-Ife, empower the people and use the resort to spotlight the ancient town on the world map by luring global tourists to the many allures of the town. Moreover, before leaving the resort after a memorable stay, the princess urges guests to play with the monkeys, see the alligators or play local games at the African Village.
Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham Abuja 1 Uke St, Garki, Abuja. Tel: +234 9 4603900, +234 805 7522500
InterContinental Lagos Plot 52, Kofo Abayomi St, Lagos Tel: 01 236 6666
Radisson Blu Hotel Ikeja #38/40 Isaac John St, Ikeja GRA100271, Ikeja Tel: +234-908-780 5555
Best Western Hotel Hotels 12, Allen Avenue C/O Funmi (Front Office Manager)
Protea Hotel (GRA Ikeja) GRA Ikeja
Protea Hotel (V/Island) Off Ajose Adeogun Street, V/ Island
Radisson Blu Anchorage Hotel 1A,Ozumba Mbadiwe,Victoria Island.