Upper Hill Based Radisson Blu Hotel Closes

 Global hotel brand Radisson Blu has halted its operations in Nairobi’s Upper Hill and sent most of its staff home as bookings remain low due to Covid-19 pandemic.

The closure comes at a time the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) survey on hotels has shown that bed occupancy remains low, averaging 23 percent in November and October, compared to 24 percent in September.

A Radisson Blu Hotel spokesman confirmed the development to the Business Daily, saying the decision to send employees home was aimed at mitigating the economic impact of Covid-19 on the business.

“To mitigate some of the economic impact of the pandemic, coupled with the uncertainty of Radisson Blu Hotel Nairobi Upper Hill’s reopening date, we have had to make the difficult decision to reduce the size of our workforce at the hotel,” said the spokesperson.

“We understand this is an extremely difficult time for those affected and we will provide support to them throughout the process.”

The decision mirrors what was taken by the Fairmont Hotels and Resorts in late May when they closed Fairmont The Norfolk and Fairmont Mara Safari Cub due to low business and laid off all employees.

Persistent infections 

Persistent Covid-19 infections forced Norfolk to renege on a March deal that had promised its workers half pay in April and May and a fresh deal from June.

Radisson Blu hotel has been paying employees since mid-March when Covid-19 hit Kenya and was hoping to reopen this month but failed to do so.

The information on the hotel’s website now puts the tentative date of reopening to end of March next year.