Sheraton to acquire historic hotels in Tanzania

Starwood Hotels and Resorts is set to acquire two accommodation facilities in Tanzania’s northern and coastal tourist zones.

Under Sheraton brand, Starwood Hotels and Resorts will acquire management of the New Africa Hotel and Arusha Hotel located in the capital city of Dar es Salaam on the Indian Ocean coast and Arusha in the northern tourist circuit.

The hotels under Sheraton management will add more than 230 rooms and significantly expand its presence in East Africa, the fastest-growing safari destination in Africa.

Reports from the Starwood Hotels and Resorts chain said the two facilities and the oldest tourist accommodation establishments in Tanzania will be acquired as “Four Points by Sheraton Arusha and Four Points by Sheraton Dar es Salaam.”

“The entry of Four Points to Tanzania is a milestone addition to our rapidly-growing footprint in Africa and reflects the strong traction the brand has gained in the region,” said Michael Wale, President, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.

The 126-room New Africa Hotel will be acquired as Four Points by Sheraton Dar es Salaam. This is the oldest and the first tourist hotel known to be established in Tanzania by a German businessman way back in 1906 as Kaiserhof Hotel.

Once under the ownership and management of the Tanzania Tourist Corporation (TTC), New Africa Hotel was privatized 18 years ago to its present owners and is best known by its Malaysian, Indian, and South Asian cuisine. It harbors the best casino and travelers’ gaming in Dar es Salaam.

Founded in 1894, the historic Arusha Hotel will be renovated and rebranded as a 108-room Four Points by Sheraton. It is located at the center of the African continent, half-way between Cape Town in South Africa and Cairo in Egypt.

Both hotels will provide all of the brand’s defining elements including the signature Four Points bed, free bottled water in all rooms and suites, fast and free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel, and a breakfast with fresh coffee that helps guests start and end the day right.

Neil George, Senior Vice President Acquisitions and Development, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Africa and the Middle East says: “With two Four Points by Sheraton hotels currently operating in Africa and eight more in the pipeline, the brand is enjoying great interest from developers across the continent.

“These signings underpin Starwood’s conversion friendly approach and our ability to convert hotels within a short amount of time as we strive to maximize value for our partners and create experiences for our guests.”