Seven years after selling off its hotels in Kenya, Lonrho Group, a major participant in luxury hotel sector is making a re-entry into the country.  The group, which sold the Norfolk Hotel, Mount Kenya Safari Club and The Ark to a subsidiary of Kingdom Hotels Investments (KHI) is planning to open a 200-room luxury hotel dubbed Lansmore Hotel. Earlier in the year, Lonrho Group also sold 49 per cent of its stake in Fly540 to a British investment firm Rubicon Diversified Investments.

The London Stock Exchange listed conglomerate is developing a new appetite for Kenya at a time when the country’s hotel market is showing a positive spike, according to a research study released on Tuesday by the Lagos based W Hospitality Group. During the release of this study, KTDC  Chief Executive Officer Marianne Ndegwa said that Kenya is emerging as a fast growing hotel investment destination with international chains planning to set up shop. “Ahead of the Africa Hotel Investment Forums  for Nairobi on September 25-26, we are excited that global brands are turning a positive eye to Kenya, “she added.

Other brands like Lonrho which are eyeing the market are Best Western, Radisson Blu, Park Inn and Three Cities-branded hotels. By opening a hotel in Kenya, Lonrho not only reignites its appetite in Kenya but also across Africa. Until recently, Hotel Cardoso in Mozambique was the only remaining Lonrho hotel, but the company recently acquired Leopard Rock Hotel & Championship Golf Course in Zimbabwe, Grand Karavia in DRC and easyHotel in Johannesburg