Rotana soft opens the five-star Johari Rotana in Tanzania

Further cementing its presence in Africa’s fast-growing hospitality sector, Rotana, one of the leading hotel management companies in the region with hotels across the Middle East, Africa, Eastern Europe, and Turkey, announced today the soft opening of Johari Rotana in Tanzania’s commercial city of Dar es Salaam. The new five-star property marks the company’s entrance to the East African market. 

Conveniently located in the MNF Square complex in Dar es Salaam’s Central Business District (CBD), the spectacular property offers 253 keys including 193 hotel rooms with an average size of over 50 sqm, suites ranging up to 150 sqm, as well as 60 fully furnished and serviced apartments. Providing fantastic views of Dar es Salaam Harbour and the city, the rooms, suites, and apartments are spread across 15 floors starting from the 13th floor of the 65,000 sqm mixed-use project.

Commenting on the soft opening, Guy Hutchinson, Acting CEO, Rotana, said: “As part of its long-term strategy, Africa has remained a key focus market for Rotana. With the opening of the Johari Rotana, the company has reached a significant milestone in our journey. Setting new standards in architecture, design, technology, offerings, and service excellence, Johari Rotana, our first property in East Africa, heralds a new hospitality experience in the region. We are confident that our spacious rooms and suites, wide selection of food and beverage venues, advanced meeting and conference facilities – including Tanzania’s largest ballroom – and unsurpassed wellness and recreation facilities will appeal to our guests and provide a competitive advantage in the market.”

Mr. Hu Bo, Chairman of the owning company CRJE (East Africa) Ltd., said: “With 50 years of uninterrupted excellent performance in Tanzania, we are very excited to open the state-of-the-art Johari Rotana. We are proud to support the government’s efforts to enhance the hospitality infrastructure and promote the country’s famous tourist attractions, as well as its commercial capital Dar es Salaam. Johari Rotana is the ninth international-standard 5-star hotel we have built in Tanzania. With our rich experience in the hotel construction business and the ever-changing local market, we understand the needs of travellers; the magnificent Johari Rotana will surely satisfy these needs.”

Mr. Bo continued: “I would like to thank our partners from the board of the International Financial Corporation (IFC), the investment wing of the World Bank, as the major stakeholder in the project, together with Rotana, who we have engaged with to manage this wonderful property. We are confident our new hotel will address growing market demand and provide an unrivalled guest experience in Dar es Salaam.” 

Offering diverse dining experiences, Johari Rotana features four stylish dining venues, including the lobby lounge Kibo, an all-day dining restaurant Zafarani, an upscale Chinese restaurant Noble House and the informal Hamilton’s Gastropub. The new hotel also boasts the largest meeting and conference facility in Tanzania, a 900sqm ballroom with a 6.5-meter ceiling height that can also be divided into three smaller venues. The property also features six additional meeting rooms with captivating views of the waterfront a dedicated business centre, Class-A offices, and an indoor parking facility, making it an ideal choice for both business and leisure guests.

Guests staying at Johari Rotana will also have access to a wide selection of wellness and sports facilities, including an outdoor pool, fully-equipped gym with a boxing ring, sauna, steam and treatment rooms.