IHI to build new hotel in Benghazi

Malta-based International Hotel Investments p.l.c. (IHI) has announced plans to develop a five-star waterfront hotel in central Benghazi as a joint venture with the Libyan Foreign Investment Company.

IHI, which also owns the leading Bab-Africa Hotel in the heart of Tripoli, said it will develop the new hotel on a 7,000 square metre site, part of which was occupied by the former, historic, Al Jazira Hotel.The new hotel will have 350 rooms including executive bedrooms, suites and a presidential suite. The hotel will offer extensive conference facilities, restaurants, a business centre, a spa and underground parking for almost 100 cars. The development will also include a number of serviced commercial offices and retail outlets which will help to transform the area into a hub of activity.

The signing of the joint venture agreement followed a site inspection by the Libyan Prime Minister Mr El-Baghdadi Ali El-Mahmoudi during which IHI’s development plans were outlined in some detail.

Construction of the new hotel will start this year. The hotel management will be by Corinthia Hotels International (CHI) the hotel operating company of IHI.

International Hotel Investments p.l.c. is an investor, developer and operator of upscale hotels in Europe, Middle East and Africa. The company at present owns landmark properties in St Petersburg, Tripoli, Budapest, Prague, Lisbon and Malta. Earlier this month it also announced plans to develop a five-star hotel in the heart of London.

Picture shows an artist's impression of the new hotel.