Lonrho Hotels to manage Grand Hotel Kinshasa

The Grand Hotel Kinshasa, seen here in the centre of the image, is to undergo major refurbishment under Lonrho Hotels management; the refurbishment will take about two years. (Image: Wikimedia Commons)

With panoramic views across the mighty Congo River the Grand Hotel Kinshasa is located in its own grounds at the heart of the diplomatic and commercial district of the Congolese capital.

Lonrho Hotels has been mandated by the Government to upgrade the hotel to its former glory as one of the leading five star hotel and conference venues in Central Africa.

According to international consultants McKinsey, Kinshasa is forecast to grow into Africa's largest city by 2025 and, following the recent elections, it is expected that the DRC will enter a period of strong economic growth.

The Grand Hotel Kinshasa has 450 bedrooms, of which only 238 are currently operational. The management agreement includes a commitment from Government that the hotel will undergo a major refurbishment to re-open the closed 212 additional bedrooms, create extensive new lounge and lobby areas, two new restaurants, and a Grand Club Floor and Lounge. The refurbishment is scheduled to be complete over the next twenty-four months.

Large conference capacity, and more

The hotel also has a conference capacity for 2000 delegates and provides outside catering services for major events and meetings. The hotel includes a casino, nightclub, shopping mall, swimming pool and recreational facilities that will be reinstated.

Lonrho also operates the Grand Hotel welcome lounge and restaurant at Kinshasa airport and provides a seamless meet-and-greet service for guests ensuring they have a safe and rapid transit to the hotel.

This Management Agreement has been signed following Lonrho's successful and highly acclaimed redevelopment to an international five star standard in 2010 of the Grand Karavia in Lubumbashi, the second city of the DRC and the centre of the country's mining industry. The Grand Karavia in Lubumbashi has since added three tourist lodges to its offering and for the first time the Ministry of Tourism recently exhibited at the World Travel Market in London, where the DRC received considerable interest from the international travel trade.

Both business and leisure travellers will benefit from the convenience, reliability and personalised service provided by Lonrho Hotels, whether in Lubumbashi or Kinshasa, during their time in the DRC.

One of Africa's 'finest hotels'

All Lonrho Hotels deliver international standards, superb restaurants and high-speed internet access in a sympathetic friendly environment.

Geoffrey White, Lonrho Plc's CEO stated: "The 450-room Grand Hotel Kinshasa is one of the finest hotel properties in Africa and we are delighted Lonrho Hotels has been chosen to manage the hotel and the refurbishment of the property. The Hotel is an important asset for the Government and its refurbishment of the hotel reflects the economic progress that is being seen in the Democratic Republic of the Congo."