Summer can’t be more fun than experiencing the city of Abuja. BEATRICE ISOLA highlights things you need to know about the enchanting city for a summer holiday.
Travelling to Abuja from any part of the world could be an interesting adventure. Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, is the Nigerian seat of government. The serene and beautiful landscape is usually the attraction for the first time visitor.
How to get to Abuja
You can fly to Abuja from the Murtala Mohammed International Airport located in Lagos through local flights which start as early as 7am to as late as 10pm. There are more than five local airlines that fly the Abuja route daily so you have the opportunity to choose a flight that suites you best. However, there are a few international airlines that fly directly to Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. When you arrive Abuja via a local flight, you will have to wait a few minutes at the carousel to pick up your luggage. You don’t have to go through immigration or customs screening at the domestic wing of the airport. You can just move straight to the exit. If you don’t have anyone to pick you up, there are Taxi desks like Hertz, Avis and others, inside the airport where you can book a cab to town. However, if you want to have the ‘streetwise’ experience then you can book either painted or unpainted airport taxis for N3, 000 to the city centre. They are generally safe. Unpainted taxi means those taxis that are not painted the city taxi colour of green and white while painted are those that come in the official green and white colour.
Executive luxury room at Transcorp Hilton, Abuja
Where to stay
There are many hotels to stay in Abuja. There is the famous Trancorp Hilton Hotel located in the heart of Abuja 1, Aguiyi Ironsi Street Maitama, Abuja. It gives you easy access to the commercial district, Abuja tourist attractions, and is only 40 minutes from the airport. Set on well manicured gardens, Trancorp Hilton offers many leisure facilities you can truly enjoy.
You can choose from its array of stylish guest rooms and suites. For instance, you can book the Twin Hilton Guestroom for N60, 000 a night with an advance payment you can get it for N54, 000. This room comes with a city view, WiFi, TV, marble bathroom amongst other amenities.
Designed in a modern art-deco style, all rooms at Hilton feature deluxe amenities, plush furnishings, marble baths, internet access and more. The King Hilton Deluxe is a 41sq. m. room that features a separate seating and working areas, WiFi, TV, and others for N85, 000 per night or N76, 000 a night for advance payment. However, if you need enough space, you can go for an executive room for exclusive access to the Executive Lounge with private check-in/out and complimentary breakfast. The Hilton Executive Suite is N100, 000 per night. You can save N10, 000 by booking in advance for N90, 000 at the hotel website www3.hilton.com.
There are seven restaurants and bars featuring poolside barbecue, garden views, live entertainment and fine dining. This means you can truly be spoilt for choice during your stay. You can take a swim in the outdoor pool or play a game of tennis or squash or you may prefer visit the shopping arcade and casino located on the premises.
If Transcorp Hilton is fully booked which is usually the case at pick periods, you may find a good alternative in Tranquil Mews a new hotel situated at Plot 1079, Off Ngozi Okonjo Iweala Way by Berger Yard off Good Tidings Church, Utako Abuja. The hotel is an exclusive side of Utako District. It is just five minutes’ drive to the city centre including Wuse II and the Central Business District.
Tranquil Mews is a boutique hotel which lives to its name as it offers a tranquil environment where you can truly indulge yourself. The restaurant offers an interesting range of traditional Nigerian dishes, which you may want to try and Intercontinental cuisines. You can check in from 3pm or earlier check in is subject to room availability. Normal check out time is 12pm however late checkout may attract additional charge. This hotel is good for a family with babies as baby cots are available in many of the rooms.
You will also find your stay at the Summerset Continental Asokoro Hotel enjoyable. Located in the east side of Abuja, Asokoro, one of the major districts, Summerset Continental is on No 104 Kwame Nkrumah Crescent, Off Thomas Sankara Street, Asokoro. It is a boutique hotel that offers 27 luxurious rooms, one restaurant, two bars that are open till midnight. If you are a lover of nature, this is the hotel to be with its peaceful, leafy surroundings.
At Chez Victor, you can treat yourself to the very best French and African cuisines.
Eating out
There are many upscale restaurants in Abuja where you can have lunch or dinner. One of such places if the famous, Chez Victor. At Chez Victor, you can treat yourself to the very best French and African cuisines. Here you can have a taste of the natural ingredients used in preparing the dishes. The presentation of the meals makes them look really attractive. Vegetarians can also have good treats here. With a little over N3, 000 you can have a decent meal here. Chez Victor is at 7 Ganges St, Maitama.
However, if you prefer oriental cuisine, you may want to check out Sawadee Oriental Cuisine, A Thai restaurant, at 43 Kumasi Crescent, Wuse 2. Sawadee is the perfect spot to enjoy a great meal in a great setting. You can enjoy mouthwatering Thai dishes at this restaurant. Sawadee is just the right place to enjoy that perfect contemporary Thai food you have been craving for.
Salamanda Café is one of the popular restaurants in Abuja. It is place where friends connect after a hectic day to share a meal or drink.
Where to indulge yourself
Sueno Wellness centre is the perfect blend of spa meets restaurant. The spa side offers visitors an array of spa treatments, from hot stone massages, shiatu massage, facials to kids treatments. With a well equipped gym with different classes. The restaurant features delicious international buffets, including Nigerian and continental dishes, during all-day dining hours. You can also opt for the à la carte menu of signature dishes from Europe and the local region. Enjoy your meal from the Heart of Abuja. The restaurant has enough space to which can be booked for a private party. 3 Agadez Street, off aminu kano, Wuse II.
Chatoyer Beauty Lounge is a full service beauty lounge where the overall beauty needs of the entire family are fulfilled in one visit. The beauty lounge which opened its doors to its first customers on the 1st of July 2014 was born out of a strong desire to fill the gap in the Abuja beauty scene where focus is placed on profit and not customer satisfaction. Chatoyer Beauty Lounge is easily accessible as it is strategically located in the highbrow Wuse II district of Abuja.
It can be described as your ‘home away from home’ due to its extremely ambient, comfortable and relaxing atmosphere. Their beauty lounge is comprised of seven different sections; The hair studio, the children’s salon which also doubles as a crèche for your children whilst you are getting your hair done, The braiding section where all your braiding and dreadlock needs are met, the nails and makeup section, the barbing and male spa section which caters to the needs of their male customers, the female spa and finally, the VIP section for clients needing more privacy when getting their beauty services. 7b Konoko Crescent Off Adetokunbo Ademola Crescent Wuse II.
For an exciting day trip, venture an hour outside the city to the breathtaking Gurara Waterfalls.
Arts/Culture
Bwari Pottery, Nigeria, was built by Stephen Mhya and Michael OBrien. Work started in 1999 and the buildings were complete by May 2000. The fantastic design of a palm-thatched roofs and arrowhead-shaped windows and a studio being laid out like a gallery, attracts visitors to this village. The main activity is the, training of new generation of potters to encourage creativity and cultural exchange to the newest enterprises. Has a shop that produces variety of items, from pitchers and vases to casserole dishes, teapots and decorative lanterns. Near Nigeria Law School, Old Suleja Road, Bwari.
Tourists’ sites
Abuja area attractions and Nigerian culture begin at the Transcorp Hilton Abuja hotel. Discover traditional village life at the on-site Abuja handicraft village where local artisans display ceramics, pottery, weaving, paintings and masks. Golf enthusiasts are only seven minutes away from the world-class course at IBB International Golf and Country Club. The nearby Silverbird Galleria offers entertainment options for the whole family. Explore impressive natural rock formations of Aso and Zuma rock located on the edge of the city, or take a stroll through Millennium Park and enjoy the scenic gardens and wildlife. For an exciting day trip, venture an hour outside the city to the breathtaking Gurara Waterfalls.
Situated on your way to Kaduna, the Usman Dam is a man-made dam which supplies the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria with both light and water. It is cased in a natural and breathe taking surrounding which cannot be ignored from the undulating landslides to its sizzling rock formation crowned with the interesting cleaves and a shrub savanna vegetation. It is located 25km from Abuja on the way to the Kaduna highway and 6km up the Bwari road. The common vegetation in the area is shrub savanna.
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