The world may be changing faster than ever, but the value of experience, especially in the face of challenge, remains undisputed.
After a decade of operations, the team behind Chelsea Village Hotel have gained an extraordinary ability to adapt to the rapidly shifting conditions faced by today’s humanitarian and development sectors in fragile environments.
Chelsea Village Hotel was established in 2015 – based on the visionary ideas of Lord Richard Westbury, the founder and Chairman of the Chelsea Group. Lord Westbury aimed to create a network of companies capable of bridging essential life support services and systems necessary for operations in challenging environments.
Today, the Chelsea Group’s broad, time-tested network – which spans 25 years in business – adds impetus to Chelsea Village Hotel’s experience by providing it with powerful global reach and expertise in all areas of life support facilities, risk management, and private security.
The Initial Vision: Security, Comfort, Safe Water
The initial vision, which led to the development of life support facilities that include accommodation, security, HR, food, and water security, positioned Chelsea Village Hotel as a reliable base for diplomatic, humanitarian and development, military assistance and NGO efforts to carry out missions in Somalia’s crisis regions.
According to Stuart Page, CEO of Enigma Alliance, who pioneered the unique accommodation demands at Chelsea Village Hotel, prioritising safety and comfort was the initial distinction that grabbed the attention and recognition of the international community working in Somalia.
“Applying my experience to design security features for Australian embassies worldwide, particularly in conflict zones, we created a secure compound for diplomatic, military assistance, humanitarian and development agencies, NGO and private sector staff. Essential to our design was a lifestyle component that still emphasises the need for work-life balance through recreation, exercise, leisure and the highest standards regarding in-house dining and water quality,” says Page.
Another early goal was providing high-quality water to Chelsea Village Hotel clients, including containerised water purification systems that have delivered safe, clean and tasty drinking water to the World Health Organization standard since 2014. This included the installation of two state-of-the-art water plants that supplied quality water for nearly a decade to Chelsea Village Hotel. With this experience and keeping in with Lord Westbury’s vision, another company was formed to take this experience and dedicate itself to specialising in clean water systems for many other countries. Chelsea Water has expanded to include easily transportable, ‘plug and play’ purification products for fragile environments and emergencies, and community drinking water based on its experience gained in Somalia.
Chelsea Village is the only hotel in the AAIA safe zone with water straight from the tap, provided by Chelsea Water at World Health Organization (WHO) standards.
2017: Security, Lifestyle, Dining, Gym
The thrill of positive feedback from its first guests was not enough for the Chelsea Village Hotel team, who knew that continued innovation and adaptability would be a cornerstone of their success.
Security continues to be the number one priority and aligns with evolving humanitarian and development agencies’ security protocols. In addition, diplomatic standards have been integrated into the design using T-walls and advanced technologies like biometric locks and fire monitoring systems.
Offering more than a safe place to rest your head at night, the Chelsea Village ethos includes a deep appreciation for the mental wellbeing of clients and staff who work in conflict zones. This is why the serene rooftop garden, à la carte dining options, and coffee shop, all with beautiful ocean views, were implemented.
Yoga, running, walking, circuit training, outdoor gym and fully equipped indoor gym – many options are available for the wellbeing of guests and staff.
In addition, with an emphasis on why exercise is even more important in conflict zones, a modular gym solution called GymCap, group yoga, and a dedicated running gym were added—all making Chelsea Village Hotel more of a Mogadishu hotel and a home-from-home than just a security compound.
2018: Chelsea Village Offers Medical, Conferencing & Business Hub Facilities
Over the past decade, Chelsea Village Hotel has become a preferred destination for many international blue-chip clients, including military personnel, NGOs, diplomats, humanitarian and development workers, media professionals, celebrities, and private companies.
Offices and conferencing are a key feature for guests who live and work in Somalia long-term.
Some of these clients have become long-standing guests of over eight years. This loyalty has aided in transforming Chelsea Village Hotel into a dedicated conferencing facility with VTC, offices, and a networking hub for the Somali Government and business sector that engages with humanitarian entities. It drives more business development and aid programmes today than any other accommodation facility in the area.
2018 also marked an essential collaboration with Medical Services Support (MSS), which is based at Chelsea Village Hotel. MSS’s comprehensive healthcare service encompasses surgery, dental care, laboratory, emergency and ambulance services, and advanced life support.
Unsurprisingly, this partnership dramatically distinguishes Chelsea Village Hotel from other accommodation offerings within the AAIA (Aden Adde International Airport Safe Zone).
2019 – 2021: The Building of Concrete Offices
Recognising the need for customised workspaces that prioritise growth, safety, and functionality, Chelsea Village Hotel was entrusted with constructing two advanced secure facilities: headquarters for a specialised UN agency which includes two multi-story buildings and an emergency coordination centre. It also built a state-of-the-art office for a international development organisation, equipped with high-speed connectivity and Video Teleconferencing (VTC) capabilities.
Since then, Chelsea Village’s construction expertise has been highly acclaimed, leading to further commissions to create additional concrete structures with a strong emphasis on safety and adaptability.
These projects have included contracts for the refurbishment of government ministries, airports, embassies, and law enforcement agencies and are all tailored to meet each organisation’s unique needs.
2020: Staff Innovation and Resilience Highlighted
At the core of Chelsea Village Hotel’s success lies a dedicated team who consistently deliver exceptional service, even amidst challenges. A noteworthy example is the Covid-19 pandemic. During this time, through strong teamwork, Chelsea Village Hotel maintained all services where others faltered, which is a testament to the dedication, ethos and culture of its team.
Evolving from secure accommodation to a Mogadishu hotel was only possible with a diverse workforce that comprises international professionals and a significant number of highly trained local staff who constantly benefit from skills transfer programmes.
2024: Outdoor Cinema, Major IT Overhaul & Fastest Internet in AAIA
Driven by a belief that welfare is fundamental to cultivating a healthy and productive work environment, Chelsea Village Hotel has thoughtfully expanded its relaxation areas over the years. New additions include a coffee shop, pool tables, cabanas, rooftop spaces, and dedicated sites for religious activities.
Social events ease Chelsea Village hotel guests into a new environment, creating a sense of community.
In addition, the hotel has boasts uninterrupted connectivity for both business and staying in touch with family, which is paramount. To achieve this, Chelsea Village Hotel offers cutting-edge high-speed internet and VTC systems that surpass local standards and comply with US and EU regulations.
What’s Next for Chelsea Village Hotel?
Establishing a track record for success in all these areas has resulted in the hotel being entrusted to design a further range of office spaces for private companies, international agencies, and NGOs.
But building success aside says Page, the real priority at Chelsea Village Hotel is the people – guests, staff, clients.
“At Chelsea Village Hotel, our staff are regarded as family, and together, we continually seek to enhance our daily offerings. We consistently explore how innovation can improve every facet of our operations – from housing and work environments to relaxation areas, gym facilities, and dining to ensure that we are the best Mogadishu hotel offering within the AAIA.”
“Ultimately, our clients’ testimonials speak volumes. Their consistent expressions of delight, often punctuated by ‘Oh wow!’ demonstrate that we genuinely listen to and act on their feedback,” concludes Page.
