Property firm WestProp Holdings has successfully inked a partnership agreement with hospitality giant, Radisson Hotel Group for the management of the Millennium Heights block 5 aparthotel. The aparthotel would be known as the Radisson Millennium Heights Aparthotel. Chief executive officer, Ken Sharpe, signed on behalf of WestProp while Daniel Trappler, the senior director responsible for development in Sub-Sahara Africa signed for the Radisson Hotel Group
The hotel group has an impeccable track record in the management of aparthotels with its entry into the local market expected to ignite excitement and options for discerning travellers and holidayers. Aparthotels offer a new type of hospitality experience that combines the comfort of home with the services of a hotel. The 148-roomed aparthotel will have spacious, fully-equipped apartments with kitchenettes, separate living areas, and bedrooms. Guests can enjoy the flexibility of self-catering while still having access to hotel amenities such as fitness centres, restaurants, and meeting spaces.
The concept offers numerous benefits for both guests and property owners. Guests enjoy the comfort and convenience of a home-away-from-home experience, while owners benefit from Radisson’s global distribution network, revenue management expertise, and operational efficiencies While the concept is still new in Zimbabwe, the demand for aparthotels is growing rapidly, driven by increasing demand for flexible, self-catering accommodations from business travellers, families, and digital nomads. The aparthotel whose construction begins this year is expected to open in two years’ time. WestProp has already started accepting investment into the aparthotel with each share costing U$5 750 inclusive of the furniture.
So far 58 percent of the fractional shares have been bought since launch last November. Multiple investors can part-own an apartment which would be leased out to clients as serviced apartment accommodation short term stay. “After the first year of operation as an aparthotel, investors can expect returns of at least 8 percent. However, as the property values increase and the hotel’s occupancy rates grow, so too will be the return on investment,” said Sharpe. Sharpe says investors should take up the offer and prepare for their future and that of their children. This is a sure way into long term secure investment. With the guarantee on the returns, it is surely a game changer in the property space in Zimbabwe. This offer is the first of its kind in Zimbabwe, where one can have his/her cake and eat it too.
“Do not miss out on this opportunity to invest in Zimbabwe’s future and secure a share of the profits,” he said. Meanwhile, Sharpe has urged Rotarians to use their different vocations and life skills to impact the community and engender positive change and development. He made the call when he addressed the Rotary Club of Harare City on Tuesday on the topic vocational service. “I challenge each of you to identify one way you can apply your vocational skills to serve others. Whether it is through mentorship, skills training, or community development projects, let us work together to make a meaningful difference in our communities.
“I have seen that in my own life that being successful in your own right is one thing. But achieving significance and benefitting society and others is much greater,” he said. He urged Rotarians to use their God given talents to positively impact society as doing do so brings fulfilment. “When you apply yourself to use your talent for the right reasons and the right purpose, you will be fulfilled. You will not be worried so much about how much you are paid at the end of the month or how much you are making because that sense of fulfilment is something in you that you know inherently you are born with,” he said.
He said each person should self-reflect on their purpose in life adding that sports persons, business people, public speakers and all other professions should use their inborn skills to change the world and “increase their sphere of influence because you are no longer just serving self — you are actually serving others”. He said the Lord blesses each individual differently “so that we can be a vehicle for those blessings to flow through to impact the lives of others”
“As Rotarians serving others brings integrity and satisfaction. By applying our professional skills to serve others, we demonstrate our commitment to integrity and ethical behaviour. By serving others we are able to engage with communities, understand their needs and address or bring projects that serve their needs,” he said. Sharpe said before assisting communities, Rotarians should listen and understand the needs of the people they want to help so that they address the true needs of those communities. “
Vocational service is not only about what you think and decide to be important. It involves listening to those voiceless people in the back of beyond. They have needs that require capable hands and willing hearts to put into place,” he said. He said by taking on vocational service projects, Rotarians develop leadership skills, learn to work with others, and confidence building. “You become part of the transformational change you want to see in the various communities and individuals you engage with,” he said.
He highlighted a few of the activities that he is engaged in as part of his giving back to society. He cited the Sharpe Business Academy, payment of school fees to scores of orphans and vulnerable children, assistance of widows and single mothers with business start-ups to sustain their families.
“At WestProp Holdings we are committed to vocational service through school fees assistance to scores of orphans and vulnerable children. We assist widows and single mothers with business start-ups so that they can look after themselves. We take in a number of student attaches all with a vision of empowering them and to give them on the job training and infuse in them our culture of excellence,” he said.
He received applause from the Rotarians when he mentioned the work that WestProp did in the Greenwood Park that included furnishing the park with new benches. “In 2023 we committed to rehabilitating the Greenwood Park so that Harare residents could find a pleasant play centre. We provided benches, bins, and rehabilitated the children’s play centre and added a few traditional games like pada and nhodo,” he said.
Source https://www.businessweekly.co.zw/westprop-radisson-in-management-deal-to-run-millennium-heights-aparthotels/
