Marriott International is accelerating its growth across sub-Saharan Africa, building on a strong recovery in 2024 that saw occupancy levels in key markets return to pre-pandemic highs.
With five hotel openings completed this year, the group is set to launch 13 new properties in 2025, further solidifying its regional presence.
New properties for South Africa
South Africa remains a cornerstone of Marriott’s portfolio in the region, thanks to its extensive Protea Hotels network. In 2024, the group added the 200-room Protea Hotel Pretoria Hatfield, while plans for 2025 include two major launches in the Western Cape:
- Morea House, Autograph Collection in Camps Bay, offering 90 rooms and a curated dining experience.
- The iconic Lord Charles Hotel, reopening under the Tribute Portfolio banner in Somerset West, catering to conference, domestic, and inbound leisure travellers.
Both properties are scheduled to open in the second quarter of 2025.
Expanding into new markets
Marriott is also venturing into new territories within the region. Highlights include:
- Madagascar: A Delta Hotel by Marriott in the first half of 2025.
- Cape Verde: A Four Points by Sheraton with 128 rooms.
- East Africa: Luxury safari accommodations in Tanzania’s Ngorongoro and Marriott’s debut in Kampala, Uganda, with the opening of a hotel and serviced apartments in the third quarter.
A focus on local connections
In South Africa, Marriott has been tapping into cultural “passion points” by collaborating with Orlando Pirates Football Club. This partnership introduced themed rooms at the Protea Hotel Fire & Ice by Marriott Melrose Arch, with plans for similar offerings in Cape Town next year.
Marriott’s sub-Saharan expansion signals its confidence in the region’s growth potential and its commitment to delivering diverse, high-quality experiences for business and leisure travellers alike.
