Background
The Protea Leadway is part of the Protea Hotels group, one of the largest hotel groups in Africa, with properties in South Africa, Nigeria, Zambia, Uganda, Malawi, Namibia and Tanzania. The Leadway Group is the biggest shareholder in the Protea Leadway, and the hotel opened for business in 2007.
Where Is It?
The hotel is in Ikeja and sits comfortably in the heart of Lagos, the commercial nerve centre of Nigeria. It is situated approximately 15 kilometres from Murtala Muhammed International Airport and about 10 minutes’ drive from the city centre. Despite the hotel being located in the middle of a busy and densely-populated area of Lagos, it is tucked away in a serene and quiet street where security is tight.
Rooms
The hotel has 47 standard deluxe en-suite rooms and two luxury suites, all fitted with air-conditioning, which is a must in Lagos with its humidity. I was accommodated in a standard deluxe room on the first floor, with a view of the well-manicured garden and courtyard. I gained entrance into the room with a key card that automatically turned on the lights when the card was inserted in the holder and turned the lights off when removed. Complimentary tea and coffee-making facilities are available in each room and I happily took advantage of it in the morning. The large bed was well made with crisp linen and a silky soft duvet. The firm and fluffy pillows made my sleep all the more comfortable. I kept myself busy at the comfortable work station, complete with swivel chair. I also made use of the complimentary Wi-Fi Internet connectivity in the room and was impressed with the speed of it. The 32-inch flat-screen TV in the room offered a variety of channels ranging from news and movies to documentary and sports channels. The bathroom was interestingly carved out in the room with elegantly designed stacked stone walls. It had a separate bath and a walk-in shower. Extra security for personal valuables was assured by the digital safe, placed in each room.
Restaurants & Bars
The only restaurant in the hotel offers a diverse menu. This came as no surprise after I was informed that the kitchen was being run by an executive chef with an excellent reputation. Breakfast is complimentary and is offered buffet style. I had the option of staying local with a variety of Nigerian delicacies or braving the odds and trying out the unfamiliar but delicious looking foreign cuisine. I opted to stay local and had yam, eggs and baked beans, washed down with a cup of tea. As expected, the food was top notch. The hotel also has a bar that runs until late at night and offers tasty cocktails and a variety of alcoholic beverages.
Meeting & Conferencing Facilities
The hotel’s fully-equipped business centre takes care of typing, printing and photocopying needs. There is also a conference room which has the capacity to seat 50 delegates, and two boardrooms that can each seat 12 delegates. The parking available for those attending meetings is ample and an airport transfer service is also available.
Leisure Facilities
The hotel itself has limited in-house leisure facilities. There’s a medium-sized swimming pool, along with a gym and spa. But the hotel is well situated in an area that is renowned for its vibrant night life. Alternatively, a recommendation is relaxing next to the pool on the small wooden deck with a cold beverage.
Verdict
Protea has 10 hotels in Nigeria, with five in Lagos and two in Ikeja itself. This Protea has a smaller, more intimate feel about it, and with the rooms being rather unique and the food of excellent quality, this is a great bet, if you want to be away from the hustle and bustle of Victoria Island and close to the airport.
Akintunde Akingbade
Contact
Address: ?1 Mugambo Close, Maryland, Ikeja
Tel: +234 1 279 0800
Email: reservations@leadway.com
Web: www.proteahotels.com