Hargeisa, Somaliland — Somaliland has taken a bold step in its economic and tourism ambitions with the inauguration of its first international five-star hotel, the Serene Sarovar Premiere, in Hargeisa. The launch marks a turning point for the self-declared republic, which has long sought to showcase its stability and attract foreign investment despite its lack of international recognition.
President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Irro presided over the opening on August 25, joined by officials, investors, and executives from Sarovar Hotels, a subsidiary of the French-owned Group du Louvre that manages more than 1,700 hotels worldwide.
The $multi-million facility features 134 rooms, a spa, gym, swimming pool, luxury restaurants, and conference halls with capacity for 800 people. Sharia-compliant by design, it blends international hospitality standards with local cultural values.
The project was spearheaded by entrepreneur Abdikarim Mohamed Eid, who said he drew inspiration from his father, a pioneer hotelier in Hargeisa fifty years ago. Eid expressed pride in continuing that legacy with a facility he hopes will “put Somaliland on the global map.”
Officials hailed the hotel as a catalyst for growth, creating hundreds of jobs and raising service standards across the sector. Investment Minister Saeed Burale said it sends a strong signal of investor confidence, while Sarovar executives described Somaliland as a key growth frontier in East Africa.
For many Somalilanders, the hotel is more than a business venture. It is a symbol of progress, a statement of readiness for international engagement, and a landmark in the nation’s pursuit of recognition and economic self-reliance.