Hospitality Splendor Redefined…Rock Your World With ROCKVIEW FESTAC

Rockview Hotel is an indigenous hotel owned by Rockview Hotels Limited under the Chairmanship of Chief (Dr) Vincent Obianodo, MON, OzuruIgbo 1 of Nnene. The Hotel started its business in Abuja in 1996 with One hundred and six luxurious Rooms including Suites.

The Hotel since then has made tremendous progression with her expansion projects. In 2004, the Hotel commissioned one of its Abuja projects and commenced operation on 17th May, 2004 with additional Two hundred and eleven rooms including Suites.

There are other Rockview Hotel outlets scattered across the length and breadth of major cities in Nigeria. On the 1st of December 2006, specifically,  Rockview Hotels berths in Festac Town, Amuwo Odofin, Lagos, with the opening of Seventy Four luxurious Rooms including Suites. Since inception of the Hotel, there has been remarkable impact and several Awards given by both local and International bodies in recognition for excellence in the Hospitality industry. In 2001, the Hotel won an international award (26th International Award for Tourist, Hotel and catering Industry) held in Madrid Spain. The same year, the Hotel won the Travelers Gold Award – Best Hotel of the year (Nigerian managed) in Abuja and in Nigeria. In 2005, the Hotel won an award, Best Nigerian Managed Hotel in Abuja and in Nigeria and several of other awards.

Ugo Ukaegbu, the general manager of Rockview Hotel FESTAC who grew through the hierarchy of sales and marketing manager, food and beverage manager, night manager at different points in his chosen hospitality outfit unleashed the  duo of Mrs Udoye Ego, the current Food and Beverage Manager and Mrs Chinasa Agu, also the active Sales and marketing Manager to entertained few questions from Creekvibes Oludaniels. Going forward Ukaegbu is keen to take the Amuwo Odofin based Rockview Hotel to greater heights. He shed more light on the interim management and why they had to shut down in 2018 when they felt it was necessary to upgrade the FESTAC facility for optimum service delivery to survive their increasing patronage.

The facility re-opened officially on December 9th, 2019, and to the prestigious and ever teaming patronisers in December 16th, 2019 respectively.

What are the expectations of somebody visiting Lagos for the first time and decided to lodge in Rockview?

We have Seventy Four rooms, Wi Fi within and around the hotel premises, our smart security details on guard 24/7, Close Circuit Television (CCTV) in operation. Fire extinguisher at different point to curb any fire outbreak, professional laundry service, for recreation, the Gym and the swimming pool is in good condition for a first timer. In our facilities,  the splendor of royalty will blow your mind, once you lodge here you are entitled to a complimentary breakfast, you can use the Gym or the swimming pool. Our restaurant has delicious menu.

What are the most challenging issues you have ever contended with in the office hotel?

Base on the complain of the guests, the owner of the hotel shut down operations and did a lot of overhauling to put Rockview back to it is present status.

How do you handle leading several employees?

We have head of Units; HOD; Supervisor; head of shift, that is how information flow from the general manager down to all employees and they all adhere to directives.

At work, what puts a smile on your face?

Adequate service delivery.

What is the effect of COVID-19 on Rockview hotel and how did you get over it?

It was not easy, we tried as much as possible to manage the pandemic by following due process.

What is your take on PHCN tariff increase?

While the pandemic was just easing off, PHCN slammed on us the increment; it is really taking its toll on companies, corporate bodies and individuals, I think it affected the hospitality business more, because companies can afford to switched off at some points but we can’t do that.

Can you tell us why Rockview FESTAC is the best?

We are the best, because we operate on the standard of Transcorp, Sheraton and other international hotels around the world. The standard of the quality services we render in Amuwo Odofin is the best, it stands us out from the crowd.

What are the challenges of hospitality business at large?

With the viral spread of COVID-19, the hospitality industry was in a total mess; suffocating including the tourism industry. The hospitality industry solely depends on travelers and the pandemic succeeded in caging everyone to their zone, no internal or external travelling things were grounded no wedding; conference; meetings. We were the most hit.

Without COVID-19, sometimes customers want good food but wouldn’t want to pay the stipulated amount, what they don’t understand is that, good food is as a result of good cash and energy well spent. Moreover, since the increment of premium motor spirit (PMS) prices of food stuffs, transportation and so many things sky rocketed.

So, if patronage is low due to customers not been able to pay for plates of foods, we will lag behind in the delivery of quality service. Failure to deliver quality service affects the revenue of hospitality business. 

In another 5 years where will Rockview Hotel, FESTAC be?

We would have developed beyond where we are now, in 5 years our standard would have knocked out all our competitors around Amuwo Odofin and its environ.

What do you want people to know about Rockview hotel?

Rockview Hotel is a brand of international standard and at no time would we let down our guards, our brand has been tested and trusted, once you step into Rockview Hotel premises you will savor royalty, the ambiance is super, the caliber of guests that patronises our facility will make you to understand the lay down standards.

Can you describe the chairman in a nutshell?

He is the OzuruIgbo 1 of Nnewi, he is a philanthropist, he cares for people, he is a nice personality.

What is your opinion on Nigeria at 60?

It is a great pleasure to be alive to witness Nigeria at 60…we thank God.

Do have a great day God bless you.