Construction has begun on the InterContinental Lagos, InterContinental Hotels Group’s first property in Nigeria.The owning company, the Milan Group, is spending approximately $80 million on the project, which is set to be the tallest hotel in the country at 100 metres high.

The development, which is centrally located on Victoria Island, will cater for a steadily increasing number of business travellers arriving in Nigeria, as the country goes through a period of renewed investment in its infrastructure.

John Bamsey, Chief Operating Officer, InterContinental Hotels Group, Middle East and Africa, said, “InterContinental Lagos is a key property for us as we expand our presence across the Middle East and Africa region. Current plans are to almost double the number of properties in our portfolio by the end of 2010 with 11 hotels set for Africa alone.”

Surrounded by creeks, lagoons and rivers, Lagos has undergone substantial development and has steadily witnessed a vast expansion of local industries. In 1999 the United Nations predicted that the city’s metropolitan area, which had only 290,000 inhabitants in 1950, would exceed 20 million by 2010. The new government is therefore focused on increasing investment in the city’s infrastructure to support this growth. International help came from the World Bank in 2006 when it granted US$200 million for the Lagos Metropolitan Development and Governance Project, aimed at improving urban areas.

Inbound travel is also on the increase with the World Travel and Tourism Council predicting that Nigeria’s travel and tourism will grow 1.6% in 2007 and by 2% per annum, in real terms, between 2008 and 2017.

InterContinental Lagos will feature 230 Standard Rooms, each measuring 42 square meters, 87 Club Rooms, 31 Bay Suites, one Junior and one Presidential Suite. Food and beverage options include an all day dining restaurant with a view of a seven metre high waterfall, a 116-seater lobby bar, two speciality restaurants and a Garden Café.

A full health club including steam and sauna rooms, as well as a 22 metre swimming pool will allow guests to indulge in a state-of-the-art relaxation programme. Water sports and beach activities for both adults and children will be provided, offering guests the opportunity to take full advantage of Victoria Island’s beaches.

Top-of-the-range business facilities include IP telephony, wired and wireless connectivity throughout the hotel, and a 1300 square metre meeting room with seating capacity of 870. Board Room and Business Centre are available to guests along with five meeting rooms spread over 400 square meters.
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