The Envoy Hotel, Abuja has built a reputation as one of the most secure hotels in the Federal Capital Territory. This is as a result of security facilities it has put in place in and around the hotel.
Speaking on this and other issues, the General Manager of the hotel, Mr. Dewald Kruger, said with the hotel’s quality and the profile of guests, the management has put in so much to ensure the safety and total relaxation of guests.
He said this in a recent interview.
According to him, the hotel would continue to up the ante in hospitality offerings in Abuja. His words: “This classy hotel with fantastic edifice located in a serene environment close to the diplomatic corridors on the diplomatic drive is hospitality redefined, excellent in security, distinct in style, grand with state of the art facilities, beautiful architectural master piece, a welcoming and courteous staff, best cuisines to carter for local and international guests.
“The Envoy is the first hotel in Nigeria to use Level 2 Global Lighthouse Certification in Hotel Security. The certification is a multi-layer security concept specifically designed for sophisticated travellers that is independently audited. Besides, there are CCTV cameras fitted in all areas of the hotel with intruder alarm features for the fences.
“Security is number one in this place. Already we have a plan to maintain standards. The architectural plan is great, but as you operate the property, you see the defects. We will continue with improvements, strict changes. After six months, some things are coming into place. The doors are done, the hinges are oiled, the lawns are clean, strict attention to details, as a part of international business and we cannot stay back. We will keep it up.”
He said the hotel, since inception has received favourable response in the market despite the huge competition in Abuja. He said: “It has been interesting to be honest. We would have a 50 -50 split from locals to the expatriates or continental guests. In fact, the Nigerian response has been very good. It has been up to 80 per cent as against 20 per cent. We have to even scale our menus to local flavours, but I leant it is swinging a bit over and we are watching all those trends to see where the business is going, but we have a very good response. ”
Speaking on his experience as hotel manager before taking up the challenge managing Envoy Hotel, he said: “I have a degree in Hotel Management and a diploma in Hospitality at the Twanege Institute of Technology. I began early in a very reputable, tremendous hotel, a 5-Star Southern Sun property. It was a sister project and tourism was giving its due in good phases at Dortmund. We saw a very good standard. That time, it was like the civil service. In the morning, you wore your suit, in the afternoon, we wore shorts and tuxedo”.
May be am a little bit of a traditionalist so I worked in those hotels. I also worked in Protea hotels, after that, I ventured into restaurant and did corporate catering contracts where I served bid companies with staff up to four thousand. We had management lounge, directors’s lounge, we entertained directors, managers, ministers, foreign entities, tourists, deputies, so it was catering at a high range, am used to taking care of people. I think I have done with my experience.
And then even in 2010 World Cup South Africa was doing well. I had a good contract, taking care of media and media houses, as they visited all the stadiums, take care of locker rooms, referee locker rooms, training matches, we cared for them. It was a very interesting time.
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