August 23, 2010 – Southern Sun – Africa’s leading hotel group has taken over operations of the famous Holiday Inn Nairobi. The hotel has rebranded to Southern Sun Mayfair Nairobi which comes after &Beyond – previous 15 year lessee of the property’s contract end on 31st July 2010 and Southern Sun taking over.

The hotel will be managed as a 4-star deluxe property under the Southern Sun banner, joining the Group’s expanding portfolio of over 90 properties spanning West Africa, Southern Africa, the Middle East, and the Indian Ocean.

Paul Norman General Manager, Southern Sun Mayfair Nairobi said, “I believe as we embark on this long journey to realign our product offering to reflect Southern Sun standards, we will continue to appeal to a diverse range of guests. The strategic decision to rebrand the Hotel, Southern Sun is in line with our Company’s desire to grow the brand throughout Africa and The Middle East. We now join our sister Hotels in Dar es Salaam, Maputo, Lusaka, South Africa, Dubai, Seychelles and the newly opened Southern Sun Ikoyi in Lagos among others.

Currently, the property attracts a diverse range of guests including 25% from international tourists, 15% Conference Delegates, 25% Embassies and Non Governmental Organisations and lastly 35% from corporate indicating that the hotel appeals to all segments.

“Southern Sun has tracked significant success with our expanding portfolio of hotels, and our reputation for world-class service, flair and innovation has spread far beyond the borders of South Africa. Southern Sun has been pursuing expansion throughout the Middle East, Indian Ocean and Africa, and has recently engaged in a number of 4-star deluxe property conversions as part of this strategy. This, in fact, was the prime motivator for the property conversion in Nairobi,” said Richard Weilers, Managing Director, and Southern Sun Offshore.

Previous operators of the property, &Beyond, stated that the non-renewal of their lease falls in line with the company’s strategic direction. “We have decided to focus on our core business in the areas of conservation and upscale ecotourism leisure business, and as a city-based hotel, the Nairobi property caters to a different segment,” says Debbie Meyer, Managing Director of &beyond.

The hotel is also due for a facelift in the interim period. “The Southern Sun property in Nairobi will undergo a series of refurbishments and upgrades that will help convey the Southern Sun brand to a new market. We are very excited about placing our footprint in the East African commercial and touristic hub, towards enhancing further growth in the region,” added Weilers.

Southern Sun was established in 1969 and from the outset it sought to revolutionise the South African hospitality industry with its innovative spirit, dynamic management and a commitment to provide guests with world-class service.

Drawing from its 40 years of service, Southern Sun is the leading Hotel Group within Africa and operates a very successful hotel portfolio with more than 90 hotels in eight countries.

Internationally, Southern Sun offers a multi-brand portfolio with a guarantee of superior value, and above all, its service ethos, which is underpinned by its people, who, through extensive guest recognition programmes, are dedicated to ensuring that guests receive world-class service.  Guests have a choice of an unbeatable choice of locations and an unparalleled range of hotels.