The Argyle Grand Hotel, a beacon of luxury in Nairobi, Kenya, has redefined the hospitality landscape since its grand opening on December 15, 2023.
This Australian-born brand, established in 2002, has brought its signature blend of sophistication and comfort to the heart of East Africa. With its 231 meticulously appointed rooms, three world-class restaurants, and state-of-the-art amenities, the Argyle Grand Hotel offers a unique experience for both leisure and business travelers.
This article explores the Argyle Grand Hotel’s offerings, from its luxurious accommodations and dining experiences to its high-tech features, recreational facilities, its commitment to sustainability, and corporate social responsibility (CSR).
Originally from Australia, Argyle brand has more than two decades of history. The name itself is inspired by the Argyle diamond mines in Australia, which resonated with the brands, a nod to luxury, elegance, and sophistication.
Since its inception, Argyle has expanded to over 200 retail outlets worldwide, primarily focusing on the five-star luxury segment of the hospitality industry. Currently, Argyle properties are found in several countries, including Australia, China, the Philippines, Singapore, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.
The Nairobi hotel marks Argyle’s first venture into Africa. “This is the first Argyle in Africa,” Bhupendra Kumar, the General Manager at Argyle Hotels Group, says in an interview with Hotel & Restaurant Middle East & Africa Magazine.
“We chose Nairobi, Kenya, since it’s the hub of and a gateway to East Africa,” Mr Kumar says when asked why they chose Kenya for the first hotel.
The Reception Area
Argyle Grand Hotel’s location was strategically chosen to cater to leisure and business travellers. Positioned just minutes from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, the hotel is convenient for transit passengers. It is also close to major corporate hubs, the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) terminal, and tourist attractions like the Nairobi National Park. The hotel’s proximity to the Nairobi Expressway ensures ease of access, making it an ideal choice for travellers seeking comfort and luxury without sacrificing convenience.
“We chose this location close to the airport to make it easier for our transit passengers. In addition, Mombasa Road has many corporates and industrial parks, and we wanted to attract business people. The Nairobi National Park is not far from here. It was a strategic location for the hotel to be built to attract all types of travellers and cater to all requirements,” Mr Kumar emphasised.
The hotel’s architecture is as striking as its location, sitting on five acres of well-designed landscaping. “The inspiration behind this design was to bring a unique brand and a unique concept with a unique design. We have a special landscaping and our swimming is very uniquely designed. The hotel’s design was to keep very unique features with smart technology and give people a unique experience,” Mr Kumar added.
The unique structure houses 231 rooms, each featuring high-end amenities to provide guests with a luxurious experience. The guest rooms are divided into various categories: Deluxe, Superior, Executive, Premium, King, Family, and Suite. Each room is designed with a modern and sophisticated touch, seamlessly blending comfort and technology.
The unique features that set Argyle apart from other hotels include smart toilets, automated curtains, and room numbers displayed on screens, all designed to enhance the comfort and convenience of guests. “Our hotel is smart in terms of technology. We have introduced very new technologies that most hotels in Kenya don’t have. In the rooms, the curtain is automatic and the toilets are smart; they work automatically,” Mr Kumar says.
Moreover, guests will soon be able to order food through their in-room TV screens and perform express checkouts using smart screens.
These technological advancements aim to make the guests’ stay as smooth as possible, offering a perfect blend of luxury and technology that sets Argyle apart from other hotels in Nairobi.
Deluxe Double Room
Dining at the Argyle Grand Hotel is an experience in itself. The hotel houses three restaurants: Darling Harbor, Waridi, and Samawati Lounge Bar, each offering a different yet delightful experience.
Darling Harbor is a 24-hour lobby bar that serves snacks and drinks, catering to the needs of both early risers and night owls. Waridi is the main restaurant, accommodating up to 155 people at a time and offering various delicacies from various cuisines. The Samawati Lounge Bar, located in an open area, is perfect for guests to relax and unwind.
The hotel has introduced unique dining experiences that are distinctive to its brand. For instance, the Ethiopian coffee corner in Darling Harbor offers traditional Ethiopian coffee brewed in the authentic style of Addis Ababa, allowing guests to experience Ethiopia’s rich coffee culture. This setup is a popular feature among guests, adding a cultural touch to the Argyle experience.
The hotel also boasts a steak menu that includes aged steaks, aged for various durations, such as 10 or 14 days, to enhance flavour and tenderness.
The T-bone steak, aged and prepared by a specialized chef, is one of Argyle’s signature dishes, offering guests a truly special culinary experience. Additionally, the hotel recently introduced a High Tea menu, served between 4 PM and 6 PM, which features special bakery items, rolls, and sparkling wine, providing an elegant touch to the afternoon.
Mr Kumar added, “Our kitchen team has about 55 staff, including a celebrity chef. We offer different cuisines, so that means different chefs; we have Italian, Chinese, and Indian chefs. Argyle Grand Hotel promises a world-class dining experience that caters to diverse culinary preferences.”
Darling Habour Restaurant
For business travellers, Argyle Grand Hotel offers a range of high-tech meeting and conference facilities. The hotel features five conference halls and a grand ballroom, each equipped with modern amenities to ensure successful events and meetings. The grand ballroom is capable of accommodating up to 800 people in a theater-style setting or 500 people with round tables, making it ideal for large events, conferences, or weddings, with one of the unique features being a fully 4K LED screen that measures 11 meters by 4 meters, “Very huge screen,” as Mr Kumar would mention.
The conference halls are smaller in size but are equally equipped. “We have two other boardrooms. Those two boardrooms can take about 25 people, and the other small conference house can take about 100 – 150 people. We also have a special VIP holding room,” adds Mr Kumar.
The high-tech features of the conference halls include screens that can be written on and erased, eliminating the need for flip charts and significantly reducing paper consumption. This focus on sustainability aligns with the hotel’s commitment to minimizing its environmental impact while ensuring convenience for conference attendees.
“If you book a conference at our hotel, we give you special packages. We have full-day and half-day packages, depending upon your requirements. If it is a full-day conference, we will start from the time of your arrival. You will have arrival tea, tea breaks, lunch, and evening tea,” Mr Kumar explains.
“We provide all the technology in the conference halls and secure parking.”
The focus on providing high-quality services, combined with innovative features such as paperless screens and smart technology, ensures that every event at Argyle is successful and memorable. Whether it is a small board meeting or a large corporate event, Argyle Grand Hotel is well-prepared to meet and exceed expectations.
Conference Room
Argyle Grand Hotel offers a variety of recreational facilities to ensure that guests can relax and rejuvenate during their stay. The hotel features a well-equipped gym with high-tech equipment, allowing guests to maintain their fitness routines while travelling. The spa, recently introduced, offers a range of services including sauna, massages, manicures, and pedicures, providing a comprehensive wellness experience.
The heated swimming pool is a highlight of the hotel, providing a perfect spot for relaxation regardless of the weather.
During weekends, the hotel creates a lively atmosphere with a bouncy castle for children, live entertainment such as a live band, and a Sunday brunch from 12 PM to 4:30 PM. These amenities make Argyle Grand Hotel a family-friendly destination, catering to guests of all ages.
Exceptional guest service is a core value at Argyle Grand Hotel, and the team takes pride in delivering an unforgettable experience for every guest. The staff members are highly skilled, well-trained, and motivated, ensuring that each guest receives personalized attention and care. “Apart from regular trainings, we motivate them in different sectors. We do town halls where we appreciate them. We always motivate and make sure our staff is always motivated and focused on the best service,” says Mr Kumar.
Guest feedback is taken seriously, and a dedicated team that includes front office staff, reservation teams, and guest relations executives handles all feedback with diligence. Positive feedback is celebrated, while negative feedback is analyzed thoroughly to ensure corrective actions are implemented, guaranteeing continuous improvement in service quality.
Gym
Sustainability is a significant focus for Argyle Grand Hotel, and the management has implemented several initiatives to minimize the environmental impact. The hotel has a special garbage treatment program, where food waste is given to NGOs for recycling. Zani also recycles used cooking oil, exporting it to Germany, where it is converted into biofuel.
Another measure taken to reduce paper consumption is the use of high-tech screens in conference rooms, which eliminate the need for paper flip charts. This aligns with the hotel’s commitment to sustainability. These initiatives reflect Argyle’s dedication to being a responsible community member and contributing positively to environmental conservation.
In addition to sustainability initiatives, Argyle Grand Hotel actively engages in corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities. “There was a CSR we did during Valentine’s, we went to NGO Orphan school and distributed several household items and mattresses. We did something for the special needs and also another organization. We have done three CSR programs in nine months,” remarks Mr Kumar.
The hotel has also collaborated with NGOs to support various causes, highlighting its commitment to giving back to the community.
Argyle Grand Hotel places a high value on engaging with the local community, recognizing the importance of building strong relationships with its neighbors. The hotel has employed around 100 people, with 95% being locals, contributing to the local economy and providing job opportunities. The hotel also sources fresh vegetables and fruits from local farmers, further supporting the local community.
The hotel has collaborated with local talent agencies to promote Kenyan artists and musicians, providing them with a platform to showcase their talents during live entertainment events.
The hotel has also hosted some local events, including the Ms Universe Kenya finals, Laugh Made in Kenya, and the Africa Travel Tech Summit.
This engagement with the local community is essential to Argyle’s ethos, demonstrating its commitment to being a positive force in Nairobi.
Waridi Restaurant
Argyle Grand Hotel has ambitious expansion plans for the future. The next development phase includes the construction of 110 luxurious serviced apartments consisting of one-bedroom and two-bedroom units. These apartments, expected to be ready by December 2024, will feature a rooftop bar, restaurant, and swimming pool, adding a new dimension of luxury to the hotel’s offerings.
The hotel is also expanding its conference facilities, adding five more conference halls to meet the growing demand for event spaces. These new facilities will be equipped with the latest technology, ensuring that Argyle remains at the forefront of the hospitality industry in Nairobi.
In the next five years, the Argyle brand aims to establish three more hotels in Kenya, although the locations are yet to be determined. These expansion plans reflect Argyle’s confidence in the Kenyan market and its commitment to becoming a major player in the country’s hospitality sector.
One of Argyle’s primary goals is to provide guests with a unique, luxurious experience. The attention to detail is evident in the hotel’s features, from the plush bedding to the elegantly designed rooms, which offer a peaceful retreat for tired travellers. The experience at Argyle Grand Hotel is one of comfort, luxury, and rejuvenation, leaving guests feeling refreshed and ready for their next adventure.
The hotel’s focus on personalized service, combined with its high-tech features, creates an atmosphere that is both sophisticated and welcoming. Guests are treated to a level of hospitality that ensures their needs are met, their preferences are remembered, and their stay is exceptional.
“We promise you a luxurious experience, especially if you are very tired when you come to our hotel, the experience, the atmosphere, the kind of rooms, the kind of beddings we are having will make you leave fresh, you go fresh, really fresh!!” Mr Kumar concludes.
This feature appeared in the October-December edition of HORECA Middle East and Africa magazine. You can access the full digital magazine HERE
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