Since the invent of devolution,the decades long shortage of hoteliers' welcoming and hosting space in the now bustling hospitality industry in Kisumu rose to attract investors.
Kisumu Hotel enjoyed the show and all was not as is today given the stiff competition at its doorsteps.
The managerial struggles in attempts to stand on its feet has not gone well with the Maseno University investment.
The university seemingly stands as the top client as its former managers' exit seems to have wrapped it around a customer loyalty delist.
Few meters away is on of the latest entrants to the lakeside city is the Acacia Premier Hotel at the West End Shopping Mall with cosy accommodation for its visitors and has a presidential suite.
Kisumu Hotel on the other end appears struggling back into the game with some of its rooms having dysfunctional air conditioners even as a number remain unfit for use from fresh paint.
A walk through the hotel leaves one unwelcome as dull witted attendants give way without a smile or single utterance.
Its shelter deficient pool site seems deserted perhaps because the sun would not spare you at either ends of the pool.
Someone must have abandoned some pipes they used at the pool right there.
At the parking area are a couple of cars which a source reveals belong to Maseno University staff in one of the conference halls but my source reveals it is not by choice but had been required to support their own.
Kisumu Hotel pool section.
According to the source close and frequently at the place, the hotel has lost its grip in the City and is on the verge of closure if proper measures are not put in place.
"At times some washrooms for a whole day are without bathroom tissue, just recently some rooms had no slippers," reveals the source.
Acacia has both a buffet menu and à la carte and is perfect standard for business travelers dying for a moment of luxury at a friendly rate of Sh11,000 a night.
Acacia Premier Hotel, Kisumu.
Its ballroom has a capacity of 200 guests and has several smaller meeting rooms.
Last year's Miss Tourism Kenya pageantry held in Vihiga County said it all as the beauties were all accommodated in Kisumu with leaving less for the hosts.
Single standard rooms at the glaring Imperial Express Hotel are even on a much friendlier rate of Sh 5,000 -Sh 6000 a night and has left the residnet Imperial Hotel on Oginga Odinga Street in the cold. The tale on the heavy in vestments in the sector could be endless as anyone seeking to dip their fingers less deep into quality and class only will do self harm.
Arguably one of the best places to be in the region,Sovereign Hotel in Milimani Estate, near Nyanza Club, has 32 rooms with superfine furnishings and a great bar area serving one with fresh breeze from the lake.
Accommodation price range from Sh11,160 upwards for a standard room a night, per person. Its executive suite is double this rate.
The Imperial Express Hotel, Kisumu.
Others include the Royal City, The Vic hotel and the apartment-styled Parkview Safari Hotel on the list of competitors