1 November 2008
Lagos — Marble Arch opened in 2000 and has been a very popular place ever since. Nigerian Breweries had just concluded its Star Quest show there when I visited the hotel, surprisingly for the very first time last month.
Its swimming pool is obviously a very popular facility and some ladies and gentlemen were easing the discomfort of the hot African sun by cooling off in the pool, while a few others relaxed by the pool bar where drinks are cheaper than in the main.
I was pleasantly surprised to discover Hajia Maero Baba was General Manager of the hotel. In our chat in the bar, she revealed she had worked at Hamdala Hotel Kaduna, had been a member of the team that opened Arewa Suites Hotel in Abuja before moving south-eastwards to Awka about two years ago to manage MAH.
Built by Chief Sam Nwosu, Marble Arch Hotel has 75 rooms and Odili Oputa, the Accountant, had given me a run down before Hajia returned to meet me, while I waited for Chef Amos to whip up the various 'swallows' and soups that MAH is loved for.
One tip here. If you want to eat Tuwon Shinkafa in Awka, Marble Arch is the place to go. You will also get Amala, Eba, Pounded Yam and Semovita dutifully accompanied by Ora, Onugbu, Afang, Ofe Nsala. Egusi, Okro, Ogbono and Ofe Akwu (available on Sunday mornings only!).
MAH also offers continental meals and I ate Fried Rice and with my bottle of water, my bill was just N900. I made a mental note to check out the Beef or Chicken Chimichanga with French Fries next time I visit Awka and was told that the meal is spicy meat with soy sauce.
Ugba, Nkwobi and Spicy Stockfish are also popular treats at the hotel, where Wednesday night is Chinese night, Thursday is BBQ night with a live band by the pool, Saturday is Buffet Special @ N2,000 per person and Sunday is Family Buffet from 1pm to 5pm during which adults eat all they can for N2,000 and kids eat for N1,200.
Accomodation is affordable, starting from N5,000 for a Business Suite, N9,000 for the Executive Suite and N15,000 for the Ambassador Suite.
Back to the Bar Royale, Jackson Udoh, the Barman, was an amiable 'host' serving up chilled drinks and drawing my attention to kilishi and other snacks available at the bar. Cocktails cost from as little as N400 and the bar menu has the Seafood Skewer, Beef, Chicken or Mixed Skewer for just N1,000, Prawns Cocktail or Snaid De Sinnamon for the same price
I had heard nice things about the Parktonian Experience and decided to check if it was for real. I received a very warm welcome through the gate, into the air-conditioned lobby, then on to the bar and restaurant. Both are large and comfortably seat over 30 persons each.
Parktonian Hotel which is on the Enugu - Awka - Onitsha expressway, prides itself as being hospitality redefined.
From my chat with lovely Tina in the restaurant, I learnt that Ofe Nsala, Onugbu and Egusi were diners' favourites with the staples like Pounded Yam, Semovita and Eba. Rice variants exist and Lunch or Dinner will cost you about N1,000..
Breakfast offers options like Potatoes, Yam and Cereals and cost from N250.
It took major investigative effort to find out that a gentleman named Obinna Obiora built and owns the lovely hotel and I wondered why such an accomplishment should be a secret.
Built barely 3 years ago, it is still looking brand new. Its well appointed rooms cost from N7,000 for a Studio, to N15,000 for the Super Executive Suite. There are Promo offers which result in lower room charges for certain categories of guests, on request.
Jephthah Omoviye, the General Manager, was out when I visited, but most graciously telephoned later to say hello.
I had enjoyed a nice, very cold star beer while watching a musical on the flat screen tv in the bar and set off on my drive to Enugu where duty called. Have a great new week folks.
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