Nairobi’s Radisson Blu hotel, a luxury business hotel situated at Upper Hill, recently appointed a new General Manager who will also function as regional director.
Rob Kucera, a South African national and hospitality veteran, is at the helm of the 271 room Radisson Blu Upper Hill property, with additional functions to serve as East Africa District Director.
According to Radisson Blu, Kucera has a two decade long experience in managing multiple functions of high volume hotels, golf resorts and spas.
“Rob has worked for premier, upmarket 5 Star Hotels & Resorts such as Westin Cape Town, Arabella Hotel, Golf & Spa Resort – both part of Marriott Hotels Resorts, [as well as] Movenpick Wilderness Hotel and Protea Hotels, all based in South Africa,” Radisson Blu said in a press statement.
Kucera, who will replace Swedish manager Ian Rydin who has been running the hotel since 2017, joins the Nairobi hotel having most recently been General manager of the Radisson Blu Bosphorus in Istanbul, Turkey.
He will be responsible for the hotel’s operations and all round performance. The Upper Hill hotel has 271 rooms, 14 meetings rooms & boardrooms, and offers 2 distinct restaurants.
Radisson Hotel Group Africa Regional Director William McIntyre said the new GM has “extensive knowledge and multifaceted skills in various hotel functions.”
“His dynamic leadership abilities and passion for the role will be instrumental in delivering a great product and outstanding service to guests,” McIntyre said.
A former Chair of South Africa’s hospitality industry trade association, Kucera has also been feted with international recognition of ‘Best Team Award’ when he led Westin Cape Town.
The new Radisson Blu GM said he was delighted to be joining what he termed as a “dynamic” team in Nairobi. “I look forward to applying my expertise and continue providing guests with exceptional service and accommodation facilities which define the hotel.”
As East Africa District Director for the Radisson Hotel Group, Kucera will have an oversight role of
existing properties in the region, as well as future openings.
Radisson Hotel is one of the fastest growing hotel brands in Africa. A survey from hotelier experts W Hospitality Group said that in 2018, the firm held a 7% share of Francophone Africa pipeline, the fifth highest for global brands.
It announced the launch of a Radisson Red hotel for Cote d’Ivoire that is set for 2020, making it the second “art, music and fashion” inspired brand in Africa.
In Kenya, Radisson has the Radisson Blu Hotel that is situated at Upper Hill, as well as the Radisson Park-Inn in the Westlands area.
Later this year, the company intends to open a Radisson Hotel and Apartments next to the Aboretum Park.
“We are rapidly growing our footprint across Africa and I look forward to driving the expansion plans within East Africa,” Kucera said.
