Hilton Grows African Footprint, Expands into Swaziland

By Balazs Szekely, Associate Editor

Mbabane, Swaziland – The newest Hilton will open in a truly exotic location. The hospitality giant went for the smallest country in the southern hemisphere and signed a management agreement with the Swaziland Public Service Pensions Fund to open a Hilton Garden Inn in the Swazi capital, Mbabane.

Swaziland makes up for its lack of size with a hugely diverse range of attractions and activities. As one of the few remaining Executive Monarchies in Africa, culture and heritage play a major role in raising tourist appeal. This, combined with the numerous wildlife reserves and the country’s unique landscapes, makes the country an attractive destination for explorers.

The 130-guest room hotel will feature more than 2,600 square feet of dedicated event space with 1,100 square feet of pre-function space, as well as a large fitness center and outdoor swimming pool. The facility will be located in the center of Mbabane, on Mhlambanyatsi Road, which is the main arterial route serving the city center. The site is in the central business district, conveniently positioned for both leisure and business travelers. Mbabane is served by regular services to Johannesburg for connections within South Africa, Africa and internationally. The country benefits from an established road network and in recent years has seen investment into the development of a new airport about one hour from the capital.

Counting in rooms currently under development, the Hilton portfolio is approaching 20,000 rooms in Africa.