How Heliconia Park is offering hospitality beyond accommodation with leap into Lagos’ fine dining

How Heliconia Park is offering hospitality beyond accommodation with leap into Lagos’ fine dining

Led by Pasquale Fiore, Managing Director and CEO, Heliconia Park has steadily grown its presence across Lagos and Port Harcourt. In this interview with CHISOM MICHAEL, Fiore speaks on the vision behind Oasis Gourmet Restaurant and Pool Bar and the gap it addresses in Lagos’ dining scene. He also shares how it fits into Heliconia Park’s growth and what sets the experience apart.

First off, how would you introduce Oasis Gourmet Restaurant and Pool Bar to someone hearing about it for the first time?

Oasis Gourmet Restaurant and Pool Bar is a space we created for people who appreciate good food and a well-designed environment. It sits within Heliconia Park Hotel Lagos and brings together a contemporary dining experience, a poolside setting, and an outdoor bar, all within one comfortable space. The design gives it a sense of calm that feels quite removed from the energy of the city, which is intentional.

We wanted to create somewhere that feels like a proper retreat, whether you are coming in for a business lunch, a relaxed dinner, or simply to spend time in a pleasant environment. It is open to hotel guests and to the public, and that accessibility is something we are proud of. The experience is refined but never stiff. That balance is really what Oasis is about.

What kind of gap in Lagos hospitality were you trying to respond to with this addition?

We noticed that people were looking for spaces that combine quality dining with a genuine sense of comfort, without the stiffness that sometimes comes with fine dining or the inconsistency that can come with more casual options.

Lagos has no shortage of places to eat, but a space that brings together good food, a relaxed atmosphere, and reliable service within one well-designed environment is still something people appreciate when they find it. Oasis Gourmet Restaurant and Pool Bar is our response to that. It is not about filling a gap for the sake of it; it is about offering something we are confident we can deliver well.

Heliconia Park has grown steadily in recent years. How does Oasis Gourmet Restaurant and Pool Bar fit into that journey?

Oasis Gourmet Restaurant and Pool Bar is a continuation of the direction we have been building towards. From the beginning, our focus has been on creating complete experiences. Hospitality does not stop at accommodation, and dining plays a central role in how people engage with space.

This allows us to extend the Heliconia Park experience in a more considered way. It brings another layer to what we offer and strengthens the overall identity of the brand without moving away from what has always defined us.

What inspired the launch of Oasis Gourmet Restaurant and Pool Bar at this time?

Over time, we observed that guests were looking for more than convenience. They wanted a refreshing space with comfort and attention to detail, like the experience we provide across Heliconia Park Hotels.

We are launching Oasis Gourmet Restaurant and Pool Bar at out Lagos Heliconia Park Hotel & Spa now because it reflects our readiness to meet that expectation at the right standard. It was important for us to launch only when we were confident that the experience we offer would feel wholesome and consistent with the brand.

Heliconia Park is known for “Comfort & Luxury.” How does Oasis Gourmet Restaurant and Pool Bar bring this idea to life?

Like with Heliconia Park Hotel, we have created an environment that is refined and easy to enjoy. At Oasis Gourmet Restaurant and Pool Bar, this reflects in the design, the service, and the overall atmosphere. All guests can experience quality dining without any sense of formality that feels distant. The experience remains relaxed and familiar, which is central to how we define luxury.

Lagos has a competitive dining scene. What distinguishes Oasis Gourmet Restaurant and Pool Bar?

Lagos is a strong and dynamic city with a wide range of options. We respect that and understand that expectations are high. For us, the focus has been on creating a space with a clear identity. What distinguishes Oasis Gourmet Restaurant and Pool Bar is the consistency across every element. The food, the service, and the ambience are aligned to deliver a complete experience. It is not about doing many things but doing the right things well.

How does the restaurant complement the broader Heliconia Park Hotel Lagos experience?

It strengthens the experience in a more deliberate way. Heliconia Park Hotels has always been designed as a complete environment, and Oasis Gourmet Restaurant and Pool Bar brings dining into that ecosystem with more intention. It allows us to offer a fuller experience within one space, without relying on external options.

It also opens up Heliconia Park as a brand in a new way. Guests no longer need to stay overnight to engage with the brand. People can come in, dine, spend time, and experience the environment on their own terms, which adds a different kind of accessibility to what we offer.

Beyond hotel guests, who is Oasis Gourmet Restaurant and Pool Bar designed for?

It is designed for both our guests at Heliconia Park Hotel and the public who are looking for a different kind of dining environment. It is a space that works for business meetings, quiet dinners, and social occasions.

The intention behind Oasis Gourmet Restaurant and Pool Bar is to create a place that feels accessible, while still maintaining a strong sense of identity.

What kind of dining experience can guests expect?

The focus is on a well-executed, contemporary dining experience built around quality ingredients and thoughtful preparation. The menu leans international, with a clear emphasis on consistency, presentation, and flavour, rather than trying to do too many things at once.

People are more conscious of the overall experience. We have taken that into account and created an experience that feels unhurried. It is a place where guests can sit comfortably, have conversations, and spend time without pressure. The pace, the service, and the setting all work together to create something that feels considered rather than overstated.

Design plays an important role in Heliconia Park properties. How does that translate into Oasis Gourmet Restaurant and Pool Bar?

At Oasis Gourmet Restaurant and Pool Bar, design is used to create a sense of separation from the city. The space is intentionally set up to feel quiet and removed, even within Lagos. It gives guests a chance to step away from the usual pace and settle into a more relaxed environment.