THE CLUBHOUSE ENUGU

Quite a number of pre-millennial residents of the city of Enugu would have heard of ANNAMCO CLUB in GRA Enugu, one of perhaps two member-exclusive relaxation-centric establishments- the other being the Enugu Sports club. Owned and operated for top level management staff members, company guests and selected members of the public, the ANNAMCO CLUB then was a much needed getaway for retreats and meetings especially after a long week of stressful business activities as was custom of leading public and privately owned firms which were run by foreign interests at the time i.e. the early 50s and 60s to own Staff Clubs – operated as departments of the company and used mostly by staff members for recreational activities and corporate bonding. 

Complete with a few rooms for transit-staff & company guests a sports center, kitchen, well stocked bar and its location neatly tucked away in the serene privacies of Forest Crescent of the plus Government Residential Area, ANNAMCO CLUB was the place to be for those who knew how to relax and relax well. Fast forward a few years later, hospitality industry is growing, a new crop of working class is rising, preferences are changing but one thing remains – the need to rest. ANNAMCO CLUB rebrands itself into THE CLUB HOUSE. 

GUEST HOUSE

Intending lodging guests visiting THE CLUB HOUSE are ushered into a well-lit, sizeable blue & marble-themed reception area which flows through a few connecting doors to the room at the ground floor as well as the restaurant and a terrace to the upper floor. We may not categorically call the 5-luxury rooms at THE CLUB HOUSE a hotel, but more of a GUEST HOUSE and not a MOTEL.'

The duplex building houses all FIVE rooms of different sizes but similar features with the largest of them – the Suite having the largest sit-out balcony facing the driveway. The upper floor has 4 rooms while one room is on the ground floor. Each room is tastefully furnished with a king sized bed with bed side closet, settee chairs and tables, reading table, and in-wall wardrobe. Especially worthy of mention is the attention given to uniformity of color and design, the theme woodwork in all the rooms which in some way points to the purpose of the structure. By the way, for those of us like myself who get pissed at the singular wall socket in a room, they got more than one!

The Rooms are simplistic, stylish and appropriate with an ample interplay of business and homeliness. Irrespective of the size or type of room, the building’s designers focused energies on fittings which is evidenced in the bathroom, the type only found in bigger luxury hotels replete with both options of Jacuzzi-function standing bath booth and bathtub with water-heater system in each room. 

Guests are treated to multi-channel TV viewing via the 21’flat screen in each room and are also privy to chilled complementary refreshments from the in-room mini-fridge. The largest room (the Suite) has the entire balcony stretch to itself which is good for small meetings and hangouts. 

Rooms at the GUEST HOUSE range from N15,000 to N25,000 per night

SPORTS & RECREATIONAL FACILITIES

THE CLUB HOUSE is one of the very few active swimming spots with provision for children too, a sizeable swimming pool is overlooked by the outside bar and sit out and not too afar-off is the Grill Area. Within the same vicinity is a well-equipped gymnasium more suited for weights, thread-mills and the like than for aerobics – that however can be amply achieved what I would call a multipurpose court area which initially is designed for Lawn Tennis but is also used for indoor soccer and I’m guessing a good place for group workouts. 

For lovers of Table Tennis, a small area has also been carved out with a standard Tennis table strategically located adjacent to the car park which makes it the Number One thing you spot when you drive in. Close to that in a white-sandfilled box-like rectangle is the Children's Play Pen area.

And somewhere between the Grill Area and the Tennis Court is a nice standalone bungalow is a fairly large room with great simple décor, a large snooker table, dart boards and card games and a plasma TV which I guess will show Premiership & Champions League matches more than movies. 

I think its safe to call this building THE BOYS QUARTERS because I’m not sure ladies would want to hang there except they play snooker or they dont mind hanging with the guys there.

BAR, RESTAURANT & GRILL

“Respectably stocked” is an appropriate phrase suitable for the outdoor bar at THE CLUB HOUSE with full complement of wines, spirits, beer and stout. The ambiance and appeal of the bar area is the perfect mix of art, woodwork and brick posterior that makes it look comfortable for friends to relax, unwind and interact. It seems as though the silent night crawlers who prefer a tranquil environment would see this place as heaven. By the way, a one-man band is most days on hand to serenade guests all evening, and he isn’t bad at all. 

There is really no standard restaurant at THE CLUB HOUSE, except the cozy one in the GUEST HOUSE for lodgers, but the good thing is that meals could get to you almost anywhere- from the sit outs at the Pool Area to the Grill, to the Bar and perhaps into the Private Lounge too. 

During my visit, I was made to understand that some staff of the kitchen have been there for a while now and their delicacies are legendary. But you know what they say "the taste of the pudding is in the eating!" However, the kitchen serves both the Club House Facilities as well as the Guest House, so I am guessing everyday must be a hectic day for them.

On the West side of the premises sits the Grill Garden where the Fish, Chicken, Suya Barbeque goes on. Among nicely colored tables and chairs and in close proximity with the bar and one-man-band, soft entertainment, guests could comfortably chow down without having to shout over their heads because of noise.

PRIVATE LOUNGE
Without being told, it’s obvious that one of the critical selling points of THE CLUB HOUSE asides Family is the Respect for Privacy. It is evidenced in the organization, the structure of the premises, the membership selection and the facilities. 

Everything about THE CLUB HOUSE speaks of privacy. Even for folks who want to be away from the draw of the swimming pool, the noisiness of the bar or the distraction of the Grill but want to engage in some one-on-one personal or business talk, a sizable room has been set aside for that purpose called the Private Lounge. With not more than 6 paired high-backed chairs (something akin to the Godfather trilogy), groups of 2 or 6 can have a small private informal meeting away from distraction anytime they so wish. Bar & Restaurant services are also available to them. 

FINALLY, HERE'S WHAT WE THINK

Membership & Patronage: THE CLUB HOUSE ENUGU probably should think of itself as a Mini-Resort because of the numerous features that perhaps qualifies it to be so named. I do also appreciate the need for attendance by membership, it is something seldom implemented in this part of the country. Membership helps create loyalty, enshrine values and keeps a generous amount of decorum and respect as an institution. Everyone knows that public resorts or facilities of this kind, free entry or have an ample display all sorts characters from all shades and extractions, its best for management and members to easily track and maintain the name of the business. 

The question of how expensive or cheap it is to become a member is probably relative to different kinds of people. I think its a fair price to pay, at least registration covers you and the family also. I would say here that also working for them is the rich history of the place, the trust and regard among old timers, patrons and would-be members may be the contributory factor as to why the place remains a big attraction. 

THE CLUB HOUSE is exceptionally suitable for family, there is everything for everyone (except a salon/beauty spa for the moms though) in the family to enjoy irrespective of what day of the week it is which is a good thing too. Most impressive to me is the choice to maintain just FIVE rooms in the Guest House in a region where the more, the merrier is culture. It then means that a group of friends could take the entire building for the weekend and have no distractions from other house guests. A soon-to-be-married couple could house their entire entourage in the Guest House and proceed to the wedding from there! Bridesmaids, Family and a few friends. It also means that a small company or department could take up the building and host a management retreat there, private, secure, homely and yet-businesslike without the need to leave the premises. 

The location of THE CLUB HOUSE is also of great advantage in terms of security, serenity, centrality and privacy. With ample landmarks for direction and the proximity it shares with both public and private establishments gives it an upper edge. For those who want a hide-away, this place is good for you. However, I must state here that THE CLUB HOUSE is not for EVERY crowd and this is despite the membership criteria. Its for a mature kind of audience, the true relaxation spot for the serious minded with an ambiance of tranquility that really soothes one's nerves. If that is your kind of person, then THE CLUB HOUSE is your best hangout spot for you, the family and friends.



Facilities: The ownership of THE CLUB HOUSE apparently means business as from what we saw in terms of fixtures, equipment and manpower. Attention was paid to detail from top to bottom, a total overhaul of facilities in the Guest House and 100% refurbishment of a few within the sports facilities. On the whole, very creative décor and fittings and as I said earlier in this review, simplicity and style meets business and homeliness. 

Food: Try out their Nigerian Dishes! Heavenly! And dont leave until you've tried the boneless fish with pepper sauce too! I recommend!

Customer Relations: The staff are generally courteous and pleasant, trust me I was looking for anyone who didnt volunteer a greeting when they walked by. I even placed a stern look at the gate man to tick him off and it didnt work. (Mind you, nobody was told I was coming and the Facility Manager wasn't around on my arrival)

OTHER IMPORTANT STUFF

• Utilities: Power, Water ok!
• Internet Enabled WIFI: Enabled for Guest House only! 
• Accessibility: Good!
• In close proximity & within Walking distance to: Park Lane Hospital, Catholic Church, Anglican Church, Polo Park Mall (Shoprite, Game, First Bank, Fidelity Bank, Etisalat, MTN, Airtel, Ethiopian Airlines) SolidFM, TruLounge Bar, Nigerian Police, DSTV, ESUT Teaching Hospital

HBJ RATING: 8/10 *2 BELLS*