Ibadan has in the past four years undergone an impressive change for the better. Some political pundits might argue that it’s because so and so was in power but I simply don’t do politics. Businesses hitherto spread around Lagos, Port Harcourt and Abuja have now migrated to Ibadan and with them come a need for quality hospitality centers.
The Address 21 is one such place located in the heart of Old Bodija, in a quiet neighborhood with security patrols and a police station approximately 3minutes away. It is also nearly 40 minutes away from the local airport barring traffic of course.
I first learned of this 5 year old establishment via referral; some colleagues from Lagos had stayed there before and couldn’t stop talking about how perfect it was.And so it was that on a warm Friday afternoon in April I walked through their gates. Like the other places I had recently visited there were no sign posts, just two plaques that bore the number 21. Yes the place gets its name from the location on the street. Clever!
I was met at the door by the manager Funmi who was polite, friendly and very helpful. She answered all enquiries in stride. The first thing you encounter when you walk in through the front door is a well-appointed living room furnished with different comfortable single chairs and 2 coffee tables that held an assortment of hard-cover books and magazines (authored by the likes of National Geographic, Wole Soyinka, Arch Bishop Desmond Tutu, and the Dalai Lama). I couldn’t wait to peruse those volumes, I am such a bookworm.
Funmi told me they were 7 rooms in total 1 Luxury, 2 Executive and 4 Standard; I had already gotten the same information from HotelNowNow as you can imagine thanks to my budget I had booked one of the standard rooms. There was no reception area; the living room is adjacent to a dining room with a mini bar stocked with some top shelf liquor.
The room I had booked was small but airy and well lit which I liked, the décor was contemporary and the bathroom was actually bigger than I expected and well fitted. There was a safety deposit box, Wi-Fi access and cable TV plus the manager informed me my room came with a complimentary breakfast. If I wanted something off menu, the live in chef would fix it up; if given appropriate notice. Aside from the chef there was a steward and a house keeper, they only had seven rooms to cater to anyway.
I noticed another guest in the garden enjoying the breeze in the spacious compound and I asked Funmi what sort of clientele they usually got. She said, “Classy people, silver spoon kids just returned from abroad, politicians and businessmen all of whom wanted assured privacy in a tranquil atmosphere. I’m sure you saw we don’t have a sign in front. That’s part of the coziness, comfort and feel of home we offer. We are not a hotel but a luxury serviced residence.”
“Luxury serviced residence” – I liked it, catchy and from what I could see all true. Dinner was Semovita with Edikanikong soup, the chef did not disappoint. There is no gym but I saw people in sportswear working out in the neighborhood.
I took a look around the premises without Funmi and noted the strategically placed fire extinguishers and CCTV cameras. Then when the electricity went off the silent cabin generator came on and was on all night and remained on till I checked out after my complimentary breakfast the next morning.
It didn’t feel like I had been at a hotel but my favorite rich aunt’s house. I’d run the course of my budget, I felt relaxed and best of all? HotelNowNow had saved me enough money to do something nice for my family when I saw them the following week.
Log on to HotelNowNow.com if you want the Address 21 experience.
