Rezidor announces Radisson Blu Mammy Yoko Hotel

The Rezidor Hotel Group, a fast growing hotel group, has expanded its network to 64 countries across Europe, the Middle East and Africa and announced the Radisson Blu Mammy Yoko Hotel, Freetown in Sierra Leone. Formerly known as "Mammy Yoko Hotel", the property featuring 171 rooms and will be re-branded later this year.

"We are delighted to enter a further country in West Africa - the region is one of our focus markets for future business development, and this hotel perfectly complements other current and upcoming projects in Dakar, Bamako, Lagos, Accra, and Abuja", said Kurt Ritter, president & CEO of Rezidor.

Sierra Leone continues to emerge from the aftermath of the civil war, democracy has been re-established in the country, and the IMF has completed a poverty reduction and growth facility programme which has improved economic growth and reduced inflation levels. Stability has also led to a revival of key economic activities, such as mining.

The original Mammy Yoko Hotel operated for about three decades. Business was interrupted in 1997 as a result of the civil war and the building was heavily damaged in the fighting.

The property is now undergoing a complete overhaul and will re-emerge in late 2011 as a premier hotel aimed at aid agency staff, diplomats and business travellers. Besides 171 rooms, the hotel will comprise of a restaurant with outdoor terrace, several bars, and meeting rooms. An outdoor swimming pool, tennis courts, duty free shopping and a gym will also be available.

The hotel's name derivates from Mammy Yoko, the "Queen of Senehun" who brought the whole Kpaa Mende region (now comprising 14 separate chiefdoms) under her control through coalitions, warfare and her alliance with the British. She established a famous Sande bush in Senehun where she trained girls from throughout the area. Queen Victoria of England presented Mammy Yoko with a medal for her loyalty and her works.