Travel/Tourism
Hilton Unveils First Hotel in Montenegro
Dipo Olowookere
Hilton Hotels & Resorts has announced the official opening of Hilton Podgorica Crna Gora, marking its debut in Montenegro.
The new Hilton Podgorica Crna Gora is situated in the city centre and close to all public and commercial facilities, making it the perfect option for both business and leisure guests.
Hilton Podgorica Crna Gora offers 180 spacious and modern guest rooms, including 23 suites. The hotel’s Presidential Suite boasts a panoramic lounge overlooking the city.
“Montenegro, one of the oldest European states and often referred to as the pearl of the Mediterranean, is an exciting new destination for Hilton as we expand our global portfolio of more than 570 hotels,” said Andreas Lackner, regional head, Hilton brand management, Hilton. “We are delighted to offer our renowned hospitality to visitors and locals alike in Montenegro’s capital city. Opening a Hilton hotel in another attractive location allows our guests more choice when travelling, and we are confident Podgorica will be on the top of travellers’ lists.”
Guests and locals can enjoy a variety of food and beverage options on-property, including:
Sky Bar: located on the eighth floor, an indoor and outdoor bar offering spectacular views over the entire city.
Restaurant Crna Gora: the hotel’s signature restaurant offering a la carte and buffet-style international and local specialties, located on the lobby level.
Terrace Fontana: a destination for the local community, the relaxed space offers original local specialties along with homemade ice creams and cakes, all with sweeping views of the fountain.
The Bar and Cigar Club: offering a rich choice of international cigars within the hotel’s lobby level bar, along with comfortable furniture and a wide beverage list.
Guests staying in the executive rooms and suites can also enjoy complimentary breakfast in the morning and snacks and drinks throughout the day in the Executive Lounge, situated on the sixth floor of the hotel with a terrace overlooking the park.
Montenegro is the one of the world’s top destinations1 and Hilton Podgorica Crna Gora offers convenient access to some of its top attractions, thanks to its historic location at the site of Podgorica’s first hotel, built in 1953. Guests can explore Biogradska Gora National Park, Boka Kotorska Bay (Bay of Kotor), Sipcanik Wine Cellar and the city’s many events and festivals while staying at the property. The hotel also provides a variety of transportation links across the city, making it easily accessible.
“Montenegro only continues to grow in popularity among travellers to the Mediterranean, attracting visitors with its breathtaking beauty and rich cultural history, and I am delighted to be opening the first Hilton hotel in the heart of the capital,” said Haluk Bilgili, general manager, Hilton Podgorica Crna Gora. “With great views of the city and an incredible team, Hilton Podgorica Crna Gora is poised to meet and exceed the expectations of our guests by providing exceptional experiences true to the Hilton name.”
To cater to meetings and events, including weddings, the hotel also offers one of Podgorica’s largest meeting spaces, with five meeting and conference rooms, all with natural daylight, along with the pillar-free, 425-square-meter Crystal Ballroom, which can accommodate up to 435 guests in theatre style.
Located on the Ground, Mezzanine and first floors, Hilton Podgorica Crna Gora also offers one of the largest spas in the city featuring a Finnish sauna, Bio sauna and steam bath. Designed in accordance with the latest fitness trends, Doclea Spa includes an indoor pool, experience showers offering visual, sound, temperature and aromatic effects and VIP massage rooms spread over 1,300 square meters.
Hilton Podgorica Crna Gora participates in Hilton HHonors®, the award-winning guest-loyalty program for Hilton, and is offering 1,000 Hilton HHonors points per night as part of their opening promotion. The program is open to all guests and free to join. Hilton HHonors members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels have access to instant benefits, including an exclusive member discount that can’t be found anywhere else, free standard Wi-Fi, digital check-in and Hilton HHonors Points.
Hilton Podgorica Crna Gora is located at Bulevar Svetog Petra Cetinjskog 2, Podgorica, 81000, Montenegro.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has announced plans to introduce V-Pass, a biometric facial recognition system designed to make passenger processing faster, safer and more seamless across its domestic airports.
According to FAAN, the new technology will allow passengers to verify their identities through facial recognition after a one-time enrolment, reducing reliance on physical identification documents and shortening queues through automated electronic gates.
The authority said the system is expected to enhance airport security while improving the overall travel experience for domestic passengers.
FAAN added that V-Pass has been developed with data privacy at its core and is compliant with the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR).
The agency described the initiative as part of its commitment to delivering smarter, technology-driven airport services and said nationwide sensitisation and rollout updates would be announced in due course.
Airports in countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates already deploy facial recognition technology for processes such as check-in, security screening, immigration and boarding, so the move also aligns Nigeria’s aviation sector with a growing global trend towards contactless travel.
These systems have been adopted to improve operational efficiency, strengthen security and enhance the overall passenger experience.
For FAAN, the deployment of V-Pass forms part of its broader digital transformation agenda aimed at modernising airport operations and accommodating rising passenger traffic.
Experts say that beyond improving convenience, the authority expects the biometric platform to strengthen identity verification, reduce the risk of impersonation and support more efficient airport security, while maintaining compliance with data protection.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
About 14.12 per cent stake in Ikeja Hotel Plc has been acquired by Honeywell Group Limited, a notice on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited has revealed.
Honeywell Group took up the part of the hospitality firm through one of its affiliates known as HGL Real Estate Limited.
Ikeja Hotel, in the disclosure filed with the NGX on July 2, 2026, said the stake comprised 305,323,525 units of its equities.
“Ikeja Hotel hereby notifies the Nigerian Exchange Limited and the general public that it has received notification from HGL Real Estate Limited, an affiliate of Honeywell Group Limited, that it has acquired 305,323,525 units of Ikeja Hotel Plc’s shares, representing 14.12 per cent shareholding in the company,” the notice stated.
Ikeja Hotel is one of Nigeria’s leading hospitality investment and hotel management companies with premium hospitality assets.
It operates two leading hospitality organisations in Lagos, the Sheraton Lagos Hotel and Balmoral Convention Centre.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
About 10 hospitality establishments, including hotels and restaurants, were sealed on Wednesday by officials of the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA).
The affected businesses are located in different locations in the Alimosho Local Government Area of the metropolis, Business Post learned from a statement from the agency.
It was stated that they were sealed by LASEPA for persistent violations of environmental regulations despite repeated warnings, abatement notices, and several opportunities to comply with the agency’s directives.
According to the notice, the enforcement exercise was carried out in line with the directives of the Lagos State government to ensure strict compliance with environmental laws and to safeguard public health.
The affected facilities were said to have breached various environmental regulations, including noise pollution, air pollution, unlawful discharge of untreated effluent, obstruction of official duties, among others.
LASEPA closed the premises of Granduer Meridian at Obasa Akiniyi Street, Oluwaga, Ipaja for non-compliance with the agency’s directives; Lasola (Spazio Bar), located on Ipaja Road, Fatolu Bus Stop, Ipaja, was sealed for noise pollution and non-compliance with directives; Millennium Restaurant, located at Gate Bus Stop, Ipaja, Ayobo, was shut down for non-compliance with directives; O2 Exquisite Suites & Tower on Jimoh Akinremi Street, Jimoh Bus Stop, Akowonjo, was sealed for non-compliance with directives; and Chirozz Hotel & Suites, located on Samuel Street, Akowonjo, by Vulcanizer Bus Stop, Egbeda, was closed for noise pollution and non-compliance with directives.
In addition, House 7 Hotel, located at Remi Akande Street, Egbeda, was sealed for non-compliance with LASEPA’s directives; House 48 on Isiba Oluwo Street, Egbeda, was sealed for non-compliance with directives; Exclusive Hotel, located at Ishan Kimishe, Akesan Bus Stop, was shut down by non-compliance with directives; Sabola Ventures Limited, Iocated at Km 11, LASU–Isheri Road, Igando, was shut down for operating without evidence of an Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP), and discharging untreated effluent into public drains; and City Int’l Motel, located at Chief Olu-Adegbite Street, off Oladun Street, Council Bus Stop, Idimu, was sealed for non-compliance with directives.
