By Emeka Anokwuru and Damiete Braide
It was an evening of warmth, fun and merrymaking as Citiheight Hotel, located in Ikeja, Lagos, celebrated its first anniversary. The hotel had every reason to celebrate as it has carved out a niche for itself as a very stylish hotel in the heart of Lagos, providing value for money. Having survived its first year in the tough hospitality terrain in the country, the hotel hosted its customers and friends to an eventful cocktail party with live music and colourful fireworks. The managing director of Citiheight Hotel, Mr. Olufemi Talabi, spoke on how the hotel has performed in the first year.
He said, “First of all, we knew we have to thank God. It has been very wonderful. Quite naturally, we have the usual challenges that come with starting a business, but all in all we must thank God for his mercies. It has been nice. I feel very happy to see guests coming in and giving us feedback, saying that they had a memorable time in the facility. That gives me joy more than anything else. I tell you, I have a wonderful crop of professionals. They have been so good. Clearly, they know their onions. It makes it easy for me to work with them. Generally, I think the thing that is still selling for us is the ambience and the hotel’s decor.”
On the sometimes difficult demands by government agencies on hospitality outfits, the Citiheight boss said, “It is true that we have these challenges but the beauty of it is that all you have to do is to manage them. They are yours, they are your supervisors. That is what I have learnt over the time. All you have to do is to be transparent, let them know what you are doing. Let them know your circumstances. Usually, they try to reason with you.”
Talabi said what has made the hotel to grow in so short a period amid fierce competition all around has been customer service.
“Our staying power, I must confess, is customer service and attention to details. People want things done properly. This is very important. That is what people appreciate here. They come into this place and they see that this place has attention to details and our service complements it, that is all.”
Guests had a great time of fine dinning, lots to eat and drink as the band supplied music while the evening lasted.