‘We are homegrown brand that speaks global language of hospitality’

Heliconia Park is a luxury hospitality brand in Nigeria and in a city where commerce and culture constantly collide, Heliconia Park is setting a new tone for luxury and lifestyle.

With the launch of its Port Harcourt Hotel & Golf Resort, the brand has taken another confident step in its mission of blending sophistication with a sense of belonging in the Nigerian hospitality sector.

For Pasquale Fiore, managing director and CEO of Heliconia Park, the new destination represents more than an expansion; it is a continuation of a vision that began in 2022 and has grown into a network of refined spaces where comfort, prestige, and culture meet.

In this interview with Juliet Onyema, he reflects on the brand’s journey, its philosophy of “home away from home luxury,” and what the new resort means for Port Harcourt and Nigeria’s evolving hospitality landscape.

Heliconia Park has grown from its first property in Port Harcourt in 2022 to Lagos in 2024, and now a new hotel and golf resort. How would you describe the brand’s journey so far?

It has been a journey of vision, consistency, and a deep belief in Nigeria’s potential. When we opened our first Heliconia Park in Port Harcourt in 2022, our goal was to redefine what fine hospitality could feel like; a blend of international standards and Nigerian warmth. From there, Lagos offered us the chance to refine that idea even further with our Luxury Apartments Hotel and Suites at Eko Atlantic City. Now, with the new Port Harcourt Hotel & Golf Resort. We are expanding that story, one that is about creating destinations that go beyond accommodation to deliver an experience of belonging, elegance, and excellence.

Why did you decide to open a second property in Port Harcourt, and what makes the city central to Heliconia Park’s vision?

Port Harcourt has always been special to us because it is where the Heliconia story began. It is a city of tremendous energy, the economic engine of the Niger Delta, yet also full of culture and resilience. We see Port Harcourt not just as a place of business, but as a destination ready for transformation through lifestyle and leisure. Returning here to a new property is both a nod to our roots and a statement of confidence in the city’s future.

How does the new resort complement or differ from your first Port Harcourt property?

The first property introduced our philosophy; the resort expands it. The Hotel & Golf Resort is unique in scope and experience, it brings together recreation, business, and leisure in one seamless destination. The private golf course is a new addition that places Port Harcourt on the map of golf tourism. Beyond that, the resort offers fine dining that celebrates both international and Nigerian cuisine. It is a home for excellence in every sense.

What specific need or gap in the city’s hospitality market is the new property designed to address?

We observed that while Port Harcourt has strong business traffic, it lacked a destination that combined security, relaxed atmosphere, and experience in one setting. Heliconia Park aims to fill that gap by being a place where a guest can conclude a business meeting, enjoy a round of golf, and later unwind over dinner in a refined environment that still feels like home. It is about creating balance: luxury that is approachable, private, and authentic to the city’s rhythm.

‘Approachable Luxury’ has been described as the heart of Heliconia Park’s philosophy. How does the resort bring that to life?

Approachable Luxury is our way of saying that true luxury should never feel distant or intimidating. It should feel personal, warm, and tailored. At the resort, that comes through in the details. It is in how our spaces are designed to be elegant yet comfortable, in how our staff deliver service that is professional but personable. It is the feeling of being both cared for and completely at ease. That is what we want every guest to experience the moment they walk through our doors.

What role will the golf course play in positioning Port Harcourt for lifestyle and tourism?

Golf tourism is a growing segment globally, and Port Harcourt has the landscape and audience to support it. Our golf course was professionally designed and is open not just to guests but for the city’s residents and corporate community. We see it as more than a leisure feature; it’s a new space for connection, networking, and relaxation. It positions the city as a credible destination for both business and recreation.

What are the features that make the Port Harcourt resort unique?

Every Heliconia property is designed around the idea of blending global craftsmanship with local inspiration. At the resort, you will see Italian design sensibilities in the architecture and finish, balanced by African textures and warmth in the interiors. The goal was to create a sanctuary that feels refined yet rooted, where guests recognize international quality but also feel the unmistakable charm of Nigeria.

How are you tailoring the resort experience to serve business travelers, international visitors, and the city’s elite residents simultaneously?

We have built an ecosystem that meets each of those needs seamlessly. For business travelers, we offer privacy and security, and spaces to meet. For leisure guests and residents, we provide fine dining, wellness experiences, and recreation. What unites them is a sense of comfort. Whether you’re in town for work, a weekend getaway, or an event, you find the same standard of thoughtful hospitality.

How is Heliconia Park adapting to the shift in hospitality expectations of the guests?

That is something we think about constantly. Guests today want stories, not just stays. They want moments they can remember and share. At Heliconia Park, that is reflected in everything from curated dining experiences to our concierge-led activities. We have created spaces designed for connection, places where guests can work, relax, and feel inspired.

What does the launch say about Heliconia Park, as a brand, especially when compared with traditional hotels?

Traditional hotels focus primarily on service; we focus on experience. Our identity is built around creating destinations that feel alive: where design, comfort, and emotion come together. We are proud to be a homegrown Nigerian brand that speaks a global language of hospitality. Each property represents our belief that luxury can be designed, lived, and perfected right here.

What lessons from your earlier properties informed the design and offering of the new resort?

Each project has been a learning curve. From Port Harcourt, we learned the importance of community and understanding local expectations. From Lagos, we learned scale — how to design for both short-term guests and long-term residents. The new resort is a synthesis of both: the intimacy of our first property and the sophistication of our Lagos apartments, brought together under one roof.