Hotel Du Golf: Symbol of hospitality in Igboland

By Samson Echenim

In the last one year, Hotel Du Golf in Aba, Abia State’s commercial hub, has occupied the amiable position of being the biggest hotel in the whole of the state.

This Christmas, the hotel has become more busy than ever before since it received its first guests on February 9, 2018. Being the biggest hotel in the city and in the state, may mean that the hotel needn’t do too much to become a household name, but how the hotel has been able to redefine hospitality in not only Aba, but in the whole of Igboland is strikingly amazing.

Traveller & hospitality was in Aba recently to feel the warmth of this much talked-about hotel in the orient commercial city, known as Nigeria’s centre of manufacturing.

Apart from being a commercial nerve-centre which attracts millions of business people, especially big traders, who come to Aba to buy huge volume of wares for resale from other South-East cities and different cities in the country, to say that the Christmas season portends a very busy period for this very warm hospitality zone, is stating the obvious.

Hotel Du Golf is already home to many expatriates, especially Europeans and Chinese who are involved in the inevitable China-Nigeria technology transfer, while working at the many factories in the city, but this Christmas, the sons of the soil who are coming back to their roots to holiday have found a home at the hotel.

“We are a home, a big home to everyone, no matter where you come from. We are working really hard to become the symbol of hospitality, not only in Abia State, but in the whole of the South-East and of course, Nigeria in general. Aba is a very bubbling place. The city has a fast rhythm and we are helping to provide everyone who chooses to be our guest the best place to relax,” said Kenneth Chukwu Mazi, chairman, Hotel Du Golf.

“Whether you are a politician, musician or a businessman, you are the reason we are here,” he added.

According to him, before the arrival of Hotel Du Golf in Aba, the city lacked “professional hospitality,” a reason he decided to build the hotel in Aba, against the advice of friends and business associates who opted for bigger cities like Lagos, Port Harcourt and the country’s political city, Abuja.

Located on 1-3 Margret Avenue, European Quarters, Old GRA, the hotel is in the most serene part of the city and magically in the heart of the commercial trading and industrial city of Aba.

Hotel Du Golf, ABA, offers easy access to the commercial areas, industries and serene set paces .

The hotel consultant, Olalemi Olalekan said Hotel Du Golf was set on beautifully landscaped gardens, overlooking the golf course, to offer a wide range of business and leisure facilities.

“The 315-room luxury Hotel du Golf is beautifully designed and decorated in an ultra-modern style, with a traditional Moroccan streak. There is a 27-hole golf course on the property in the Palmeraie, as well as a golf club with instruction available, although greens fees are not included in the room rate,” Olalekan said.

Rooms are lovely, though, with a sleek design aesthetic, private balconies, and gorgeous bathrooms. The hotel has very wide array of room types. This makes it easy for guests to find what fits their pockets. Rooms categories, which have all basic facilities that ensures a comfortable stay in luxury include Suite Bedroom, Diplomatic Deluxe, Executive Deluxe, Classic Golf View, Standard Deluxe, Business Deluxe, Living Room (Suite), Executive Deluxe and Business Deluxe.

If we have the luxury of time, we will be more detailed to mention that rooms are modern with flat-screen TVs and fresh decor; there is 27-hole golf course with 11 lakes and a clubhouse; two tennis courts as well as jogging tracks; enormous, upscale spa with a beauty salon and free shuttle to the historic city center during business hours. Other features include tasty, sleek restaurant on-site; 24-hour room service available; large event space and 12 meeting rooms and free Wi-Fi

The hotel has a breezy pool that also offers a place of relaxation at night while having the best of wines. The availability of Wifi, gym, exotic restaurant & bar, local and intercontinental dishes, meeting and party halls is a pointer to the fact that the hotel was built to take in a beehive of activities — business, social or political —all at the same time.

Sarah Nkechiyerem, sales and marketing manager says this is peak period when the hotel witnesses influx of guests, the priority becomes ensuring satisfaction for all guests, rather than deepening marketing and sales measures. At off peak time, the hotel runs a number of discounted sales, in which corporate guests enjoy 20 percent discount, while individual guests room costs are discounted at 10 percent.

“I will describe Hotel Du Golf as a hospitality company founded with the passion to create an unparalleled and uncommon classical leisure, comfort and topnotch hospitality services for all our visitors. If you are looking for a place to relax and concentrate in whatever brings you to Aba, Hotel Du Golf is the only choice. We are already a house hold name. All visitors to Aba, including politicians, traders and tourists enjoy a lasting and memorable stay with us and they always come back,” she said.

The owner of the hotel, Chukwu Mazi said these two years of the hotel’s existence had been eventful.

“We will be marking our second year anniversary in February 2020. It has not been easy, but we know we are the best in Abia and we can see that expansion is increasingly becoming inevitable in the coming year,” Mazi concluded.