Magnificent is the word because the hotel’s edifice is not only an imposing one but it exudes exotic ambience, which pulls the beholder to its magical and inviting presence. On approach you are totally overwhelmed by both the architectural artistry of the building and the alluring environment with the splashing water from the fountain at the forecourt exuding some kind of a welcoming lullaby.
Welcome to Golden Tulip Warri Airport Hotel; a 192-room high-end hotel offering from the stable of Golden Tulip brand.
One of the outstanding features of the hotel, which easily catches your imagination as you walk through the glass door into the reception, is the manner the expansive spatial beauty blends with the sophisticated element of the hotel. The symmetric flow is quite exciting, colourful and easily inviting as you explore the entrails of the hotel.
Waiting with a huge smile on his face and a welcoming ambience at the front desk is Akram Daoud, the general manager of the hotel.
Golden Tulip Warri Airport Hotel is the first assignment for Daoud in Nigeria who have over 25 years stint in the sector under his belt having before now worked in his native country, Egypt, Switzerland and America with such big international brands as Hilton and Accor. Moving over to Golden Tulip only recently and with a new property to grow, is a delightsome experience for him.
The mandate of the group is a commitment to high international standards with unique personality of people who manage it and local flavours. This matrix is uppermost in his mind as he tells you that: ‘‘I am bringing international standard and high quality of service to the hotel.’’ This he intends to do leveraging on his background as hands – on boss who have worked his way through the various sections of the hotel – starting as a waiter to become a general manager.
‘‘With my background in food and beverage, I will enhance the food menu and recipes. I want to make this place the best in Warri.’’ The hotel, according to him, has the potential for becoming the best place in town going by its size, the modern design, sophisticated facilities, the service culture, its closeness to the Warri Airport (less than 10 minutes drive), coupled with the business and leisure opportunities that on offer.
‘‘Hospitality is our passion and we promise to serve you better. Golden Tulip is in the heart of the town and it is a meeting point for business and pleasure, it is going to be a high end service provider for the discerning minds and those with high taste seeking value for their’’, the general manager said.
To drive home this point, he recalls some of the personalities and high profile events that the hotel has hosted within the few months of its soft opening. The list included the just concluded Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) congress and election and the annual conference of the Nigerian Institute for Management (NIM). It is also the preferred home for many of the big corporate bodies and high networking individuals. It hosts the crew of Arik Air among others.
It offers 192 rooms made of 162 standard rooms and 24 executive suites. All the rooms are spacious, fitted and furnished with high quality amenities such as a king-size bed with comfy foam, tea/coffee set, flat screen TV, mini – bar on request, reading working desk, settee, wardrobe and electronic safe, bedside lights and drawers, shoe rack, telephone and complementary Wi-Fi. The distinctive features of the executive suite include a lavishly set up separate living room with convenience and a well-furnished bedroom.
The hotel parades a cosy restaurant manned by an executive chef of international repute and well-trained kitchen staff. Continental and African dishes are offered with specialisation on the local delicacies of the region either as buffet or ala carte. The restaurant also caters for the various outlets of the hotel, especially in time of special banquet and dinner events. Besides, it offers special theme nights with Mediterranean (Lebanese) night high on the agenda and this is tailored made for the large Lebanese population of the city.
Sunday brunch is another special offer of the hotel with array of meals ranging from local to continental spanning over 12 different dishes on offer for both adults and children as it is a family affair. Depending on the friendly nature of the weather, the swimming pool area with its spatial beauty can also host the brunch session.
Leisure/wellness: Here is where the hotel is in a different class as it boasts quite a rich array of distinct and interesting leisure and entertainment facilities. For Daoud, this is a deliberate effort to place the hotel at the top of the ladders as the home of upscale entertainment in the city and a one – stop facility where every of the needs of the guests are catered for in a special and dedicated manner.
The list includes an Olympic size swimming pool with life guard and instructors, ample relaxation and sit– out area with a flow to the pool bar where drinks and light meals are served. There is also a performing stage attached at one of the ends for live performances during summer and outdoor friendly season. Also is a well equipped gymnasium and fitness centre with treatment rooms and sauna; a lounge bar with a romantic and serene setting for relaxation, a section of the expansive lounge bar host day and night live performances as well depending on the package on offer at the time of visit and live night clubbing at weekends.
Within the massive complex of the hotel is the Silverbird Cinemas, which offers live screening of movies for both adults and children, while guests of the hotel can see movies at the cinema with discounted tickets. The hotel complex also houses different shops and offices where you can enjoy shopping spree. A private entrance from the hotel provides easy access for guests to the facility.
The hotel offers the biggest conference and meeting facilities in the city with its Golden Tulip Hall Dela Fame sitting over 3,000 guests and it is the toast for many of the event planners in the city. It is said to be fully booked throughout the season and it has it service points with ample car park lot. It offers special packages for wedding and banqueting with complementary and heavily discounted room rates among others.
Added to this are two meeting rooms of different sizes for tea/coffee session, break away sessions and meetings, they also host private or family breakfast, lunch and dinner section, as well as, cocktails and light receptions.
However, Daoud who is sure footed on his mission and on the ability of his carefully selected team of professionals, reiterates his determination to make the hotel the first choice hospitality outfit in the entire South South region, informing that with the effort of G.O.K Property, the property owners, he would exceed the expectations of the guests.
‘‘It is going to be the most famous and first class hotel in Warri providing international standard and local flavours for our array of esteem clients because our capacity and size outclass all the hotels around and we are very safe, close to the airport and offers unique product and services with style, personalised and professional touch.’’
OBINNA EMELIKE
