From family talks to an over US$20M Dream: How a kitchen island meeting sparked the rise of Aiden Hotel

It was a family meeting in their kitchen, following the Government’s decision to issue a public call for investors to submit proposals for constructing hotels, that led the Alphonso family to take up that challenge and, four years later, complete construction on an over US$20 million Aiden by Best Western Hotel.
The hotel, located at Lots 88-89 Oronoque and Robb Streets, Bourda, Georgetown held an official ribbon cutting on Saturday last. Speaking at the ceremony, Geraldo Alphonso, the Director of Arimu Investments Incorporated, which was behind the construction of the hotel, recalled the family’s journey into hotel investment. According to him, the construction of the hotel is “a Guyanese story, a story of hope, determination and most importantly, a story of fate.”
He recalled that when the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government took office in August 2020, following the five-month elections controversary that unfolded after the General and Regional elections that year, the Government wasted little time in getting the ball rolling on its vision for Guyana as a tourism destination. The Request for Proposals (RFP) for the construction of hotels was issued the very next month.

“This advertisement found me, on my kitchen island a few hours later, deliberating with my family, the future, the new Guyana and the possibility of constructing a hotel to cater for the economic boom.”
“From this very newspaper clipping, we quickly sent over a request to the Office of the President, signaling our interest. Within a mere couple of days, a meeting was arranged with our group, the President and the Vice President, to outline our vision.”
He recalled that during what was a short but nevertheless in-depth meeting that covered a plethora of issues, both President Dr Irfaan Ali and Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo asked probing questions to ascertain their seriousness in pursuing the project.
“Has financing been secured? Do you have the land? And are you a franchise holder? With swift responses being given to these questions, we were asked to resubmit a comprehensive package of plans, studies and documents in order for Dr Ramsaroop to give us the go-ahead at GO-Invest (Guyana Office for Investment).”

“I am pleased to say tonight that throughout the entire project, the level of cooperation, coordination and assistance shown by the Guyana Office of Investment, was nothing short of exemplary. Hats off to Dr Ramsaroop,” Alphonso said.
That being said, Alphonso noted that acquiring the almost one acre of land, in the heart of the city, for the hotel was no easy feat. He revealed that more than 20 agreements of sale and 25 sale negotiations with existing land owners, had to be completed.
Alphonso also revealed that they had their fair share of litigation, spanning North and Central America, Europe and even Asia. Here he lauded the work of Attorney-at-Law Sase Gunraj, who he said filed all the necessary applications and was pivotal in negotiating deals for the land they needed to acquire.

100% local

Meanwhile, co-director, Lorenzo Alphonso spoke of the logistical challenges they faced during construction. Alphonso noted that local involvement was necessary for the completion of construction, ranging from the human to natural resources used in construction.
“It was a long time coming since the sod turning in March, 2021. And yet here we are, completed. We faced our fair share of procurement issues, logistic dilemmas and impromptu changes to designs. But in the end, it has taken its place as one of the most beautiful, architectural structures in Guyana.”
“On the topic of locals, let me touch on a very important point of local involvement during the construction of the Aiden. A number of 56 private trucks benefitted with the removal of soil, during the excavation stage and with the land filling. The piles were driven by a Guyanese contractor, the foundation was done by local construction firm AMCON, the drawing and superstructure was done by local engineering group CEC Incorporated and the fabrication and erection of the steel was done by local Randolph Persaud.”
Back in December 2022, Arimu had signed a contract with a Chinese company, CNQC Engineering and Construction Limited, in order to complete the hotel. But Alphonso made it clear that Guyanese input was crucial even in this, when it comes to tiling, electrical, plumbing and some interior designing. Additionally, the parking facility and entire surrounding of the hotel was done by local contractors, working in phases.
“Some of the contractors are here tonight. After the development, I can say we should never doubt our Guyanese skillset. The proof is right behind me. It is 100 per cent supervised, scrutinised and approved by Guyanese. This, however, was very fitting, since the developers, Arimu Investments, are 100 per cent Guyanese.”
“Added to this, the developers originate from the county of Essequibo. Which most people call the country. Coming from the country, people tend to view you as an outsider. Individuals who do not belong to dwell in the city. That’s why, we are overwhelmed that the outsiders are the first to finish their hotel and are now dwelling with the insiders at the highest level,” Alphonso said. (G3)