The iconic Mpilo Boutique Hotel has officially reopened under new management on a 10-year agreement, following an M11 million renovation that promises to redefine hospitality in Maseru.
Senior government officials including Prime Minister Samuel Matekane, who is the founder of MGC under which Mpilo Boutique falls, corporate partners, and other guests attended the grand reopening to witness the hotel’s transformation.
Kudzayi Nheweyembwa, Managing Director of Flame Lily Hotels, the new operators, said they believe in crafting spaces that are visually stunning and deeply connected to local cultures.
The extensive renovation revitalised every part of the hotel, including the new Sky Restaurant offering panoramic views of Maseru. Nheweyembwa recalled his first visit, inspired by the beautiful vistas despite an unexpectedly chilly day.
A redesigned wine bar and coffee shop downstairs promise a selection of regional and international wines. The guest rooms now offer a unique and artistic design that embodies Lesotho’s spirit.
The interior, designed by Nero Studios in Greece, thoughtfully incorporates Basotho culture, with wallpapers of mountainous landscapes and lighting inspired by the Basotho hat. A state-of-the-art gym has also been added for modern travelers.
Nheweyembwa thanked their partner, MGC, for their support, highlighting the strength of African partnerships. He also announced a 10-year agreement to operate the hotel, pledging Flame Lily’s long-term commitment to Mpilo.
He praised the local contractors involved in the project and said the renowned warmth of the Basotho people would be central to the hotel’s ethos.
Speaking for the Matekane Group of Companies (MGC), Mookho Khalikane recalled the heartbreak of the hotel’s COVID-19 closure and expressed pride in its reopening. She praised the partnership with Flame Lily and said everything in the hotel, from furnishings to glassware, is brand new. She also welcomed back former employees affected by the closure.
Minister of Sports and Tourism, Motlatsi Maqelepo, commended the hotel’s reopening as a boost to the tourism sector and noted the return of valued workers. He acknowledged the challenges of the past and praised the fruitful partnership that led to this moment.
The newly renovated Mpilo Boutique Hotel now stands as a beacon of modern luxury blended with authentic Basotho culture. Guests were invited to tour the hotel to experience the transformation firsthand.
In his address, Prime Minister Matekane appealed to the private sector and business community to support one another.
“Now this country needs us together more than any other time,” he said. “We can see the world is changing and things are changing. What we need to look at is productivity. Let’s try and make our own and make sure we produce our own.”
Matekane encouraged the business sector to tap into the creativity of young minds to drive innovation.
Ntsoaki Motaung is an award-winning health journalist from Lesotho, specializing in community health stories with a focus on sexual and reproductive health and rights, as well as HIV. She has contributed to platforms like “Be in the KNOW,” highlighting issues such as the exclusion of people with disabilities from HIV prevention efforts in Lesotho.
In addition to her journalism, Ntsoaki serves as the Country Coordinator for the Regional Media Action Plan Support Network (REMAPSEN). She is also a 2023 CPHIA Journalism Fellow.
