Renovations on a hotel shut down after the 1997 Kaya Bombo inter-communal violence have begun.
Concord Hotels, the new owners of Shelly Beach Hotel in southern Mombasa, have set aside Sh1 billion for its total turnaround.
The 1997 clashes, said to have been instigated by local politicians, scared away tourists and investors, many of whom returned to their home countries.
Shelly Beach on Shelly Beach Road used to record the highest numbers of tourists. It had a capacity of more than 600 guests.
Mohammed Idris, one of the Concord directors, said they will start with renovating the restaurant, swimming pools, bar and 36 rooms. They will be operational by June. The job will be completed before the end of the year.
“We are targeting Mama Ngina Drive which is also being refurbished. Once it’s complete, we will be the nearest hotel sitting just opposite it,“ he said.
The facility will have a capacity of 600 to 800 guests.
More than 500 people, mainly from Likoni, will be employed, Idris said.
“The facility will give residents the first priority in terms of employment as we have already done with the construction staff," he added.
The new investors own Concord and Cloud Hotel in Nairobi as well as Bahari Dhow in Diani. They bought Shelly Beach in 2000.
Idris said the family was new in hotel business and did not want to delve into the business without a proper plan.
“Hospitality was not our line of business, therefore we had to plan before venturing into it. We are now ready to return the dignity of Shelly Beach Hotel,” he said.
