A different Side to Abuja Hilton
Demola Ojo
The Transcorp Hilton Abuja is regarded as a favourite haunt of top government functionaries and leading businessmen from within Nigeria and outside the country. Due to a sterling reputation built on world class service, the Transcorp Hilton has remained the number one meet-up spot for informal meetings among high-rollers and decision makers in Abuja.
The Piano Lounge of the Hilton is reputed to have seen more multi-million dollar deals struck than many boardrooms in the nation’s capital. This is a tradition that has been ingrained over the years, regardless of where the pendulum of power in the country swings.
The business that goes on at the Hilton is not restricted to the informal; telecom operators, airlines, luxury goods outlets are just a few examples of businesses that have all setup shop to take advantage of the presence of exclusive clientele that the hotel attracts.
However beneath the surface of seriousness characterized by sharp suits and statement traditional garb, is a world of fun, leisure and entertainment. No place is this felt more, than at the massive hexagon-shaped swimming pool and its spacious poolside.
Generally, Abuja is known to be a business destination rather than one for leisure; filled up planes coming into the city on Monday’s are just as likely to leave the city on Friday’s with a full complement of passengers. For those who remain though – and residents of Abuja in the know – the Hilton poolside offers the ideal location to lay back and recharge.
For a building that has “only’ 10 floors, the Hilton’s 667 rooms spread across a three-wing configuration is an indication of the amount of space it lies on. The emphasis on space and size can be seen at the poolside and is worth emphasizing. It accommodates scores of people without it being choked up. Both in-house and walk-in guests mingle, their class being a general denominator.
The pool is open from seven in the morning till nine at night. If you’re lucky to get a room with a poolside view (always try and specify preferences when checking-in), then you can see poolside transform as the day progresses.
It starts with a trickle, as mostly in-house guests come out first to say, read a book and enjoy the atmosphere. There’s a lot of green; the surrounding trees being both functional and aesthetic.
There are dozens of lounges to lay back on, and a sundeck dominated by the indigenous but still stylish thatched Fulani Pool Bar.
The Transcorp Hilton Abuja is an international brand that is proud of its Nigerian heritage and the Fulani Bar attests to this. This can be seen not just in its design but also the menu. From a distance, ‘Suya’ can be seen written boldly on the structure. The bar delivers on its promise, with different versions of the famous Nigerian barbeque available to choose from; chicken, beef, lamb, fish, snails…
On the menu it’s boldly stated:“All our Suya are served with the typical Nigerian salad (white cabbage, tomatoes, onions and yaji) and a choice of traditional spices.”
There are healthy options of side dishes to go with the Suya; roasted plantain, roasted yam, roasted sweet potatoes and masa.
Suya is not the only thing on the menu though. Pizzas, burgers and a variety of small chops and meals; ice-cream, cocktails, mocktails and other drinks… The whole idea obviously to keep the guest satisfied at the poolside for as long as possible.
It works. By noon, the poolside is wellpopulated; kids and adults, Nigerians and expats. There is a separate pool for the kids even though the main pool has a demarcation for expert swimmers and the not-so-good.
Most of the lounges are taken up by those who want a tan, while there’s shade for those who just want to chill and have a meal.
As the sun sets, the lights come on, inside and pool and around it. Again the poolside is transformed; there’s less swimming as it is more of a lounge now, music wafting softly through the air.
The opportunity for networking is not lost here though, even if it is a way more relaxed environment. Rather than suits and dresses, you have shorts and bikinis.
A Brazilian cabin crew member of a Gulf carrier appreciates the Nigerian culture. There are less restrictions than in Dubai where you“need to dress formal and wear heels to go to dinner.”
Or the fact that all clubs close by three in the morning. “That’s why we prefer house parties,” she says.
The 24-hour service culture found in many Nigerian hotels is one often taken for granted; it isn’t the same everywhere. The Abuja Hilton raises it a notch though. It isn’t just restricted to room service. For example, the gym is advertised as a 24-hour gym.
This means if you have the urge to train alone at say one in the morning, you can do just that. The door is open, you let yourself in. There’s notice of CCTV cameras though. This is for client’s safety, to avoid any overzealous lifters injuring themselves while working-out in solitude.
The cameras explain why a gym assistant shows up a few minutes after I let myself in. “Please, you will need to sign in for me sir.”Not a problem.You don’t always find a 24-hour gym. It’s another feather in the (leisure) cap of a hotel renowned more for hosting heads-of-states.