KENYA – Aleph Hospitality, a dynamic independent hotel management company has signed a franchise agreement with Marriott International for a new Protea Hotels by Marriott hotel in Kisumu Kenya.

The Dubai based hotel management company will operate the property under the Protea Hotels by Marriott brand on behalf of the hotel owner, Bluewater Hotel.

 Acording to Bani Haddad, Founder and Managing Director of Aleph Hospitality, Aleph was thrilled to work with Marriott International to bring the first internationally branded hotel to Kisumu, Kenya’s third largest city.

“As Aleph Hospitality continues to expand across Africa and the Middle East, we are delighted to once again collaborate with Marriott International,” said Haddad.

This is the second deal Aleph is signing with Marriot to manage its hotel franchises in Africa this year.

The first one was signed in February in Liberia where Aleph was given rights to manage Marriot’s Four Points by Sheraton in the country’s capital Monrovia.

“As the hotel owner, we benefit from the reputation and distribution of a major global brand, coupled with the regional knowledge and expertise of Aleph Hospitality, known for its world-class approach to independent hotel management,” Said Edward Guda, Managing Director, Bluewater Hotels

The Protea Hotels by Marriot will be located in Kisumu on the shores of Lake Victoria, Africa’s largest freshwater lake.

It will be just 9 kilometers from Kisumu International Airport and directly adjacent to the Kisumu Yacht Club and Kisumu Impala Sanctuary.

The establishment will feature 125 rooms with striking lake views, three food and beverage outlets, a rooftop infinity pool, gym, spa and more than 500m2 of meeting space.

“This signing further strengthens our portfolio in Kenya, which remains a key growth market in our overall development strategy for Africa,” said Yasin Munshi, Marriott International’s Director of Lodging Development, Middle East & Africa.

Aleph Hospitality manages hotels directly for owners, either on a franchise basis for branded properties or as a white label operator for independently-branded hotels.

The hotel management service provider plans to expand its portfolio and aims to manage over 35 hotels in the Middle East and Africa by 2025.