Iconic Hilton Hotel in Nairobi CBD to Shut Down After 53 Years of Operation

The iconic Hilton Hotel in Nairobi’s central business district is set to shut its doors permanently after 53 years of operation.

The International Hotels Kenya Limited which manages the hotel announced on Wednesday that the facility will cease operations on December 31st this year.

“Following extensive discussions with the hotel ownership, Hilton Nairobi will close its doors for the last time on 31st December 2022 and cease operations,” a Hilton spokesperson told Business Daily.

The spokesperson clarified that the closure of the hotel is not entirely attributed to the Covid-19 pandemic, which has seen many international luxury brands scale down operations or shut down outlets altogether.

“Covid-19 created unprecedented challenges for our industry. However, the decision to cease operations is not directly connected to the pandemic,” the representative added.

As a result, the hotel said it will lay off some of its employees while others will be redeployed to its other two outlets within the city—Hilton Nairobi Hurlingham and Hilton Garden Inn Nairobi Airport.

“Unfortunately, the closure of the hotel will result in a retrenchment process. However, we will work with those impacted to help them find alternative employment,” the hotel added.

Located strategically at the heart of Nairobi city centre, Hilton began operations in 1969 and boasts 287 rooms including 45 twins, 185 doubles, seven suites, 22 pool rooms, and 27 executive rooms.

“The hotel has welcomed guests for more than 50 years. We are proud of the legacy of hospitality delivered and would like to thank all those who have contributed,” it added.

The Kenya government holds 40.57 percent of shareholding in its operator International Hotels Kenya Limited.

Its closure comes barely two years after the InterContinental Hotel, also located in Nairobi CBD, was shut down in August 2020.

The government held a 33.83 percent stake in Kenya Hotel Properties Limited, the operator of the InterContinental Hotel.