Jill and I spent Friday in Abuja, looking at different hotels, using our bargaining talents, trying to find something suitable for you, your families, and your teams as you travel in and out of Abuja. Thank you so much Jill for going with me!
If you don't care about details, I'll just report to you that we have decided to try the
Sharon Ultimate Hotel (
http://www.sharonultimatehotel.com/) during this travel period until August. If you want more information, please read on.
The items we were looking for included:
- Security
- Quiet location.
- Bathrooms: No broken toilet seats, fixtures in good repair, completely sanitized, running hot and cold water.
- Clean top and bottom sheets, and blanket.
- Good air conditioning
- For a nominal fee, extra mattress provided for child in the room.
- Accommodations for our drivers.
- Firm reservation confirmation.
The Sharon Ultimate
- Standard rooms (double bed) N7800 plus taxes (deposit of 10,000).
- Deluxe room (king bed) N9600 plus taxes (deposit of N13,000).
There are 8 deluxe rooms with connecting doors, making them suitable for families. One of the drawbacks is they do not provide mattresses for kids on the floor but will allow you to bring a mattress in to the hotel for your use.
There are driver's accommodations within a 5-10 minute walk. Those rooms are N4000, breakfast for N250, rice with meat N150, comparable to what we've been paying at ECWA.
There is a restaurant at Sharon Ultimate where Jill and I ate breakfast (eggs, toast, coffee) for N600. Their main meals are N1000-1200 and they serve sandwiches for N500. Those who went to the AIDs conference a few years ago report that the food was excellent. Across the street we saw advertised Chinese food. It is about a 10 minute drive to Grand Square where you can get ice cream and a sandwich.
The location is in the south-central area of Abuja, off Tafawa Balewa at Jos Street. As you come into Abuja from Jos, instead of taking Shehu Shagari way, continue on Murtala Mohammed Express Way to Mohammed Buhari Way. Turn right. You will pass Ahmadu Bello Way. The next major intersection is Tafawa Balewa Way. Turn left. You will pass Kam Salem Street on the right. The next major intersection on the left is Fumnilayo Ransome Kuti Road. Continue on Tafawa Balewa, watching on your right for the sign for Sharon Ultimate Hotel. Turn right and the hotel will be on the left.
You will need your passport number and resident permit or visa number when you check in.
Jill and I took a 15 minute swim in their pool and it was lovely. The area was clean, shady and lounge chairs available. The shallow end was about 4 feet, sorry no children's pool. They have towels in the pool area for your use.
The Sharon Ultimate Hotel had the best welcome when we arrived, something I took into consideration when thinking of first impressions for new missionaries. The rates were similar to other places that we looked at, but the presentation at the Sharon Ultimate was above the others. It is not the Hilton, but I must admit it is more personal and inviting to me than the Hilton. It you are interested in going for a short break with your family, it would be a good choice.
Serob Legacy Hotel
The Serob Legacy Hotel is on the west side of the city, close to the stadium. Their rates were slightly better than the Sharon Ultimate for the standard room and the same for price for a deluxe with a king bed. They have built a new wing which is nicely made, but most of the rooms are in the old wing with the fixtures loose in the bathroom, tiles not placed straight, and just not quite the appearance of quality. When we had to choose which one we would prefer to use on Friday night, The Sharon Ultimate Hotel came out ahead.
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