₦airaland Forum

SIMON UTEBOR, who was at the Aridolf Resort Wellness and Spa, said to be owned by former first lady, Patience Jonathan, writes about the luxury in the edifice

From afar, the sheer magnificence of the Aridolf Resort Wellness and Spa, strategically positioned in the heart of Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital, draws a first-time visitor into a lavish embrace.

Arguably the most prestigious hotel in the oil-rich state, the edifice is located in Okaka Estate, along Isaac Adaka Boro Expressway, which is close to a popular night club, Bolex.

The five star hotel sprawls over a large expanse of land complementing the surroundings of the residential estate which boasts of the choicest edifices and castles in the whole of Bayelsa.

The security in the hotel has thinned out compared to what it used to be when Goodluck Jonathan held sway as the country’s President. Reportedly worth about N10bn, the Aridolf is said to be owned by the former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan.

Before May 2015, beyond the opulence oozing from the impressive building, Aridolf was also like a presidential fortress, with the presence of soldiers and members of other security agencies, apparently on sentry duty, manning the gates and other strategic areas.

But it all changed when Jonathan and the Peoples Democratic Party lost the 2015 presidential election, which saw the emergence of Muhammadu Buhari as President and the All Progressives Congress as the ruling party.

While the imposing Aridolf still retains its grandeur, the air of presidential security and protected serenity has since disappeared, as only private guards and plainclothes security personnel are seen around the area.

A first time visitor or guest would still marvel at the sprawling architectural masterpiece spread across four buildings with a fountain strategically positioned for aesthetic effect. The fountain is encased with bulbs of different colours shining from beneath it, producing a colourful shade of glamour and extravagance.

Inside the compound, tarred with interlocking tiles all round, is a spacious car park that can conveniently accommodate hundreds of vehicles. Other facilities offered at the property include a nightclub, meeting facilities and a shared lounge.

Established to mainly cater for Nigeria’s elite, the Aridolf offers indoor pools, a spa and wellness centre as well as free WiFi access for visitors and guests. Its opulence is further showcased in the hotel’s reception area, with expensive artworks, gold-plated furniture and imposing landscapes on display. There is also a chandelier providing artificial lights from the Plaster of Paris ceiling and walls.

The hotel’s lobby has a strong, sweet-smelling fragrance which gives the impression that it has a style, taste and class exclusively preserved for the rich and famous.

The Aridolf boasts of about 200 rooms including suites. The price of the rooms ranges from N15, 700 to N367, 500.

According to the hotel’s room rates, a standard room costs N15, 700; deluxe room costs N31, 500; a junior suite is N56, 700 and the executive room is N75, 600. The Presidential suite goes for N315, 000 while the price of the Royal suite is N367, 500. All the costs are inclusive of value-added tax charges.

Most of the categories of rooms are fully furnished with air conditioners, fridges, TV sets with satellite channels, good toilet systems, cold and hot water facilities, WIFI, among others. The only significant difference between the classes of rooms is essentially the bed and space. They all have similar features.

The hotel serves local and intercontinental dishes with prices from N2, 000 upwards.

At one of their bars, christened Paradise Bar, different variety of drinks such as beer, wine, whiskey, gin, fruit juice, among others, are served. Our correspondent learnt that the management had to reduce prices of the drinks because of the economic recession in the country. The price of beer now goes for between N500 and N600 against their initial N800 and N1, 000 price tags.

A guest can enjoy a view of the city’s skyline from almost all the rooms. In addition, the hotel has a beverage centre, business centre with full Internet access, fitness centre, kitchenette, restaurants, wheelchair access and airport transportation.

One of the workers in the hotel, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the former first lady was involved in the running of Aridolf, despite the fact that the hotel has a general manager, as well as managers and supervisors.

The source noted Mrs. Jonathan was always available in the hotel to provide effective supervision.

“When she came here last week, she ensured that she put everything in place before she left,” the source said, adding that while the former first lady also owns another hotel in Otuoke, her husband’s country home, she frequents Aridolf more.

The source said, “Aridolf is a hotel after the former first lady’s heart. She is the super supervisor. At times, she holds meetings with the employees. At such meetings, she usually teaches us about business relations, how to woo and retain customers, among other things.”

Our correspondent also gathered that despite the price of the rooms, the hotel enjoys high patronage from guests, who are mostly politicians, oil and gas workers, businessmen, foreigners and some middle income earners.

A royal suite which cost almost N400, 000 per night is often occupied, said another employee, who noted with pride that “Aridolf has everything one can think of. It is a place for recreation, wellness and all what one desires in a hotel.”

Despite its opulence, some parts of the hotel seem to have suffered some deterioration due to the topography of Bayelsa State.

At the balcony in the Paradise Bar, our correspondent noticed a leaky roof after a downpour during the week. The rain also flooded some area of the bar, soaking some portions of the synthetic rugs decorating the place.

A guest blamed the development on poor architectural and structural designs of the building.

The guest, who did not give his name, said the building was suffering from an assemblage of expensive fittings but lacked proper finishing.

He said, “The chairs and other furniture at the lobby are very expensive. They were imported. But those who supplied some of the materials cheated the owner. Some of the materials are only shinning but they are not durable. That is why you see that some parts of the hotel are deteriorating.

“The saving grace for the building is the tiles used to design the hotel structure. The tiles are the ones covering the defects in the building. Remove the tiles and the building will have serious problems. It is suffering from architectural and structural defects.”

yns4real:
SIMON UTEBOR, who was at the Aridolf Resort Wellness and Spa, said to be owned by former first lady, Patience Jonathan, writes about the luxury in the edifice From afar, the sheer magnificence of the Aridolf Resort Wellness and Spa, strategically positioned in the heart of Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital, draws a first-time visitor into a lavish embrace. Arguably the most prestigious hotel in the oil-rich state, the edifice is located in Okaka Estate, along Isaac Adaka Boro Expressway, which is close to a popular night club, Bolex. The five star hotel sprawls over a large expanse of land complementing the surroundings of the residential estate which boasts of the choicest edifices and castles in the whole of Bayelsa.
The security in the hotel has thinned out compared to what it used to be when Goodluck Jonathan held sway as the country’s President. Reportedly worth about N10bn, the Aridolf is said to be owned by the former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan.


http://punchng.com/inside-patience-jonathans-n10bn-hotel/

Godfullsam:
Chai!

This woman and her husband are the classical definition of fantastically corrupt leaders.


This is our collective wealth and wailers who can not afford 3 square meals a day will come in defence of these useless leaders...

SMH!

nnachukz:
You should have asked when was it built before fuming in your mouth. If a chief of Army staff can own two different properties in Dubai and the government sees nothing wrong with that even after being accused of fraud then there is no moral in your complain here but just hypocrisy.

yns4real:
SIMON UTEBOR, who was at the
Aridolf Resort Wellness and Spa, said
to be owned by former first lady,
Patience Jonathan, writes about the
luxury in the edifice
From afar, the sheer magnificence of
the Aridolf Resort Wellness and Spa,
strategically positioned in the heart
of Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital,
draws a first-time visitor into a lavish
embrace.
Arguably the most prestigious hotel
in the oil-rich state, the edifice is
located in Okaka Estate, along Isaac
Adaka Boro Expressway, which is
close to a popular night club, Bolex.
The five star hotel sprawls over a
large expanse of land
complementing the surroundings of
the residential estate which boasts
of the choicest edifices and castles in
the whole of Bayelsa.

The security in the hotel has thinned
out compared to what it used to be
when Goodluck Jonathan held sway
as the country’s President.
Reportedly worth about N10bn, the
Aridolf is said to be owned by the
former First Lady, Dame Patience
Jonathan.

The hotel
Before May 2015, beyond the
opulence oozing from the
impressive building, Aridolf was also
like a presidential fortress, with the
presence of soldiers and members of
other security agencies, apparently
on sentry duty, manning the gates
and other strategic areas.
But it all changed when Jonathan
and the Peoples Democratic Party
lost the 2015 presidential election,
which saw the emergence of
Muhammadu Buhari as President and
the All Progressives Congress as the
ruling party.
While the imposing Aridolf still
retains its grandeur, the air of
presidential security and protected
serenity has since disappeared, as
only private guards and plainclothes
security personnel are seen around
the area.
A first time visitor or guest would
still marvel at the sprawling
architectural masterpiece spread
across four buildings with a fountain
strategically positioned for aesthetic
effect. The fountain is encased with
bulbs of different colours shining
from beneath it, producing a
colourful shade of glamour and
extravagance.


One of the least expensive rooms in
the hotel
Inside the compound, tarred with
interlocking tiles all round, is a
spacious car park that can
conveniently accommodate
hundreds of vehicles. Other facilities
offered at the property include a
nightclub, meeting facilities and a
shared lounge.
Established to mainly cater for
Nigeria’s elite, the Aridolf offers
indoor pools, a spa and wellness
centre as well as free WiFi access for
visitors and guests. Its opulence is
further showcased in the hotel’s
reception area, with expensive
artworks, gold-plated furniture and
imposing landscapes on display.
There is also a chandelier providing
artificial lights from the Plaster of
Paris ceiling and walls.
The hotel’s lobby has a strong,
sweet-smelling fragrance which
gives the impression that it has a
style, taste and class exclusively
preserved for the rich and famous.
The Aridolf boasts of about 200
rooms including suites. The price of
the rooms ranges from N15, 700 to
N367, 500.
According to the hotel’s room rates,
a standard room costs N15, 700;
deluxe room costs N31, 500; a junior
suite is N56, 700 and the executive
room is N75, 600. The Presidential
suite goes for N315, 000 while the
price of the Royal suite is N367, 500.
All the costs are inclusive of value-
added tax charges.
Most of the categories of rooms are
fully furnished with air conditioners,
fridges, TV sets with satellite
channels, good toilet systems, cold
and hot water facilities, WIFI, among
others. The only significant
difference between the classes of
rooms is essentially the bed and
space. They all have similar features.
Dame Patience Jonathan
The hotel serves local and
intercontinental dishes with prices
from N2, 000 upwards.
At one of their bars, christened
Paradise Bar, different variety of
drinks such as beer, wine, whiskey,
gin, fruit juice, among others, are
served. Our correspondent learnt
that the management had to reduce
prices of the drinks because of the
economic recession in the country.
The price of beer now goes for
between N500 and N600 against
their initial N800 and N1, 000 price
tags.
A guest can enjoy a view of the city’s
skyline from almost all the rooms. In
addition, the hotel has a beverage
centre, business centre with full
Internet access, fitness centre,
kitchenette, restaurants, wheelchair
access and airport transportation.
One of the workers in the hotel, who
spoke on condition of anonymity,
said the former first lady was
involved in the running of Aridolf,
despite the fact that the hotel has a
general manager, as well as
managers and supervisors.
The source noted Mrs. Jonathan was
always available in the hotel to
provide effective supervision.
“When she came here last week, she
ensured that she put everything in
place before she left,” the source
said, adding that while the former
first lady also owns another hotel in
Otuoke, her husband’s country
home, she frequents Aridolf more.
A bed in the room
The source said, “Aridolf is a hotel
after the former first lady’s heart.
She is the super supervisor. At times,
she holds meetings with the
employees. At such meetings, she
usually teaches us about business
relations, how to woo and retain
customers, among other things.”
Our correspondent also gathered
that despite the price of the rooms,
the hotel enjoys high patronage
from guests, who are mostly
politicians, oil and gas workers,
businessmen, foreigners and some
middle income earners.
A royal suite which cost almost N400,
000 per night is often occupied, said
another employee, who noted with
pride that “Aridolf has everything
one can think of. It is a place for
recreation, wellness and all what
one desires in a hotel.”
Despite its opulence, some parts of
the hotel seem to have suffered
some deterioration due to the
topography of Bayelsa State.
A restaurant in the hotel
At the balcony in the Paradise Bar,
our correspondent noticed a leaky
roof after a downpour during the
week. The rain also flooded some
area of the bar, soaking some
portions of the synthetic rugs
decorating the place.
A guest blamed the development on
poor architectural and structural
designs of the building.
The guest, who did not give his
name, said the building was
suffering from an assemblage of
expensive fittings but lacked proper
finishing.
He said, “The chairs and other
furniture at the lobby are very
expensive. They were imported. But
those who supplied some of the
materials cheated the owner. Some
of the materials are only shinning
but they are not durable. That is why
you see that some parts of the hotel
are deteriorating.
“The saving grace for the building is
the tiles used to design the hotel
structure. The tiles are the ones
covering the defects in the building.
Remove the tiles and the building
will have serious problems. It is
suffering from architectural and
structural defects.”
Copyright PUNCH.



http://punchng.com/inside-patience-jonathans-n10bn-hotel/

nnachukz:
So?

Funlordjnr:
Senseless investments by foolish people! How many bayelsans can even afford to stay in the security man's section sef?



Instead of them to construct factories or infrastructure in order to write their names in gold while still helping those around them that are suffering the effects of their misrule it is luxury that they feel is what is required!



Anyway they need safe places to count stolen dollars, cheat on their spouses and drink ogogoro to stupor I guess!

iamphotoshoot:
You are so used to supporting corruption that dis seems so normal to you. The same family that couldn't do anything in otuoke?

nnachukz:
You should have asked when was it built before fuming in your mouth. If a chief of Army staff can own two different properties in Dubai and the government sees nothing wrong with that even after being accused of fraud then there is no moral in your complain here but just hypocrisy.

able20:
We need local investment that creates jobs.
PEJ is really investing in Bayelsa some other fellows are always investing in Lagos Oriental hotel.
Make God Bless her investment

Godfullsam:
Chai!

This woman and her husband are the classical definition of fantastically corrupt leaders.


This is our collective wealth and wailers who can not afford 3 square meals a day will come in defence of these useless leaders...

SMH!