More than just secure
accommodation in Mogadishu AAIA
The importance of quality and
community in a high-risk environment
There’s no question, for the vast majority of people, environment and work-life balance affects performance.
Today the need to professionalise efficient life support in complex, high-risk locations has become a professionalised industry. Chelsea Village Hotel, the Chelsea Group’s hotel, conferencing and office facility in Mogadishu, first established in 2015. Situated within the secure Aden Adde International Airport safe zone (AAIA), it provides a commendable case study on how to provide both quality service and community.
Catering to guests within the humanitarian, development and private sectors, Chelsea Village offers secure and comfortable accommodation and office space within a welcoming community atmosphere. In doing so, it also takes the personal wellbeing and business performance of its guests very seriously.
According to Costa Yiannakis, General Manager of Chelsea Village, the quality service, support and sense of community is created by the exceptional staff who go above and beyond to serve guests needs and wants.
The warm, welcoming Chelsea Village team also consists of many expats who’ve made a home for each other
“From the security guards and reception team to the cleaners, maintenance, IT support and kitchen, all of our teams are empowered to assist guests in the fastest time possible, and with a smile!” says Yiannakis.
More than a secure hotel
Regardless of your location, there are a few fundamentals that are necessary when it comes to the kind of work-life success that helps people thrive at their jobs. The first, is comfortable sleep. Apart from the considered styling of the NapCap containerised rooms and ensuite bathrooms, Chelsea Village guests fall asleep knowing that they are safe and secure. The rooms are designed by people who have spent years staying in uncomfortable accommodation in challenging environments.
A standard NapCap room has a living, sleeping and work area with an en-suite bathroom and mini fridge.
Amongst other things, it is the reinforced construction that sets NapCap units apart. Rather than the flat-pack units that are built on site, they are constructed from welded steel and have both side and over-head protection to UN MOSS standards. In addition, they are air-conditioned and insulated from external influences.
Accommodation includes Standard, Executive and VIP suites that range from 20 to 40 feet and include separate living, working and sleeping areas.
The VIP Hotel Suite meets more than the requirements for the Google search ‘secure accommodation Mogadishu AAIA’. Featuring stylish finishes and added space, it has two entrances, a fridge, television and ergonomic furniture.
“Very good container accommodation you don’t feel like its containerized. It’s home. Super food. Gym facilities. Good team.” Edmore Tondhlana, Google Reviews
“Hospitality of highest standards,” Julius Majanja, Google Reviews
Conferencing and Offices
Conferencing and office amenities are available to outside visitors too. These services include:
- Clean, reliable, and safe transportation
- A 30-50 pax conference room
- High Speed Wifi
- Onsite technical support
- Large Screen TV
- Tea, coffee, and snacks during meetings
- Lunch in the dining room or private area
- High speed printing, photocopying and scanning
- Office supplies
Office space is available from shared working spaces to large, modern bespoke offices with the latest technology (EU/US approved), custom furniture and security features.
“In addition, our team can engineer office solutions based on each client’s requirements to ensure they have a safe, quiet and bespoke office that allows them to focus on their organisation’s work objectives in Somalia, in comfort,” says Yiannakis.
Integrated security measures
If you are searching for ‘secure Accommodation Mogadishu AAIA’ – you will not only need the peace of mind of world-class security, but you will need to know what to do in an emergency.
One of the unique aspects of Chelsea Village is that it is fully secured by its internationally certified sister company Hart Nationwide who live on the premises and insist on full security briefings for every guest on arrival.
Guests first meet Hart Nationwide at the airport and again at the gate checkpoint before the security briefing
In addition, Chelsea Village is the only hotel in Mogadishu with a full blast-protection T-wall. Hart-Nationwide can also provide mobile security and close protection teams for hotel, office and conferencing guests, plus a range of further risk management services.
‘From the quality of the vehicle to the professional approach of the driver, the level of service provided by Hart Nationwide has always met all of our expectations.’
– Mark Reading, Somalia Security Manager, World Bank Group
Medical facilities on site
High on the list of must-haves when living and working in a high-risk environment is medical support. Conveniently, Medical Support Solutions (MSS) (a UK registered medical provider) have the first independent, commercial, medical treatment facility available to the international community within the airport compound, at Chelsea Village. Designed to provide primary healthcare, outpatient consultations, hygiene and preventive medicine for people within the secure accommodation Mogadishu AAIA community, it also provides an ambulance service, emergency surgery, advanced life support, walk-in dental services and much more.
Medical support including emergency surgical services is provided for all MSS members.
Pillars for wellbeing: Nutrition, hydration, exercise, community
So, it is clear, support for life in fragile and high-risk areas cannot be achieved without secure accommodation, security measures and medical contingency plans. However, for professionals to perform at their peak, Yiannakis points to the consistent feedback received from Chelsea Village’s long-term-stay, repeat guests to indicate that there are other factors that play an important role too.
In a nutshell, it is the sense of community and home-from-home culture that stands out.
This makes sense considering that the management and staff at Chelsea Village share the strong belief that wellbeing promotes better work and life performance. Work-life balance is encouraged by promoting leisure and communal activities, exercise routines, good sleep, excellent food and quality water, which exceeds internationally recognised WHO standards for clean drinking water.
“Excellent service and quality of accommodation, all staff extremely professional and very helpful,” Ian James Goodwin, Google Reviews
According to Yiannakis, there are always significant adjustments for expats to live and work abroad, but living and working in a conflict environment, where cultures are usually extremely different too, can add to the pressure of one’s mental and physical state.
As many of us are expats ourselves, we know that the type of person who leaves their home to help a country can easily experience burnout. To successfully avoid this, it is important to break down the workload into manageable chunks and to also be mindful of culture and experiential differences.
“Cutting off the workday, even though you are not at home, as well as taking regular, short breaks to connect with family back home, is important because it ultimately increases well-being and keeps you connected to loved ones,” says Yiannakis.
Much like happy personal lives improve work performance, so does exercise, quality water and good food, says Yiannakis.
A taste of home and the world at Chelsea Village
At Chelsea Village Hotel, there is the belief that where there is good food, there is community and with 10 chefs, and a large kitchen support team, the huge catering demand for both hotel and conferencing guests is taken very seriously.
Seven years later, our kitchen staff consists of 11 nationalities and has developed a real knack for global cuisine
Guest feedback, as well as being culturally sensitive to guest requirements is crucial to the success of the multicultural team from Somalia, Nepal, India, Kenya and beyond, all of whom have 4- and 5-star restaurant experience.
Chelsea Village residents receive three meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) per day included in their accommodation. In addition, they have the option of an a la carte menu which is also available for day visitors.
Chelsea Water is responsible for all clean water in the camp and through their desalination system, ensures WHO standard water is accessed straight to the taps.
“Exercise is encouraged, and the options are numerous. From team exercises on the rooftop, runs on the beach (if security allows), to the GymCap modular gym, exercise adds to the sense of community and is essential, especially in environments where freedom of movement is limited,” says Yiannakis.
In conclusion, Chelsea Village, with its network of associated companies under the Chelsea Group of Companies, not only provides comfortable hotel rooms, clean water, premium medical support, and security in Mogadishu’s AAIA but has the expertise, and resources to replicate this noteworthy case study anywhere in the world.
A perfect score in an unexpected place
“I never give an excellent score in my reviews, never, but I have to make an exemption for Chelsea! There is no other place I would rather be when I’m in Somalia. First, my room has all that I need, cleanliness, air conditioning, my own bath and toilet, and cable and fridge. Second, I get 3 buffet meals every day, always have fruits and vegetables with every meal. Third, is the Staff! From the Security at the gate to the cleaner who takes care of your room, to the management, a million thanks, for making me and our staff very happy… with your homemade ice cream to your famous dumplings… thank you… I recommend anybody who comes to Somalia, to stay here.” – Ryan A, TripAdvisor
If you have stayed with us, please consider giving a rating on Trip Advisor.
Contacts
Bookings
bookings@thechelseavillage.com
Security
Medical
For further information on MSS memberships and walk-in services, see here.
