A quiet Saturday at Federal Palace: elegant naps in a luxe room, almond-shaded courtyard calm, wandering peacocks, and FOLM’s sustainable designs on display at NAHOUS.
Creativity flourishes best when you surrender to stillness. And so, I often need places where I can relax for a bit and rejuvenate. And so, a couple of Saturdays ago, following a half-year company retreat with other managers at The Guardian, I found myself having a quiet afternoon at the Federal Palace Hotel. My plan was simple: film content in the elegant guest rooms and showcase the tranquillity of the space.
Yet every time I stepped inside, the plush bedding and hushed décor beckoned me into a peaceful slumber.
Refusing defeat, I returned to the water’s edge in the courtyard, under the leafy canopies of the towering almond trees that shielded the space. There, I found myself drifting between productivity and pure relaxation. Sitting there for a couple of hours — no joke — felt like I’d been holding my breath for a minute and only remembered to slowly exhale.
Occasionally, the sharp blare of a ship would rouse me from my reverie, and I’d look over the short fence that walled the FPH compound at the passing vessel. I do not recall any other hotels I’ve visited in Lagos that offer the same homely ambience without a pretentious air. It truly feels like home, with the staff warm and welcoming. And despite it being in the heart of upscale Victoria Island, Federal Palace Hotels lulls you into a serenity that seems removed from the bustling activities that go on around it.
It’s also not uncommon to see peacocks strolling through the compound, utterly unfazed by human presence.
Recharged, I ventured to the hotel’s Old Federal Palace Building, where a handful of creators were exhibiting work at NAHOUS. The day before, Seun Odebunmi had led our group through the FOLM showcase: chairs hewn from recycled mahogany, coffee tables woven with raffia accents, and stools carved from local iroko. Each piece married traditional craftsmanship with contemporary form, celebrating community and sustainability.
Since its June debut, FOLM’s exhibition has drawn design aficionados eager to touch, sit and discuss the inspirations behind each creation. You can catch it every Wednesday through Sunday, 5 PM to 11 PM, until August 13th.
And if you’re at the Federal Palace Hotel and craving a quick snack, I recommend you try their beef samosas. It’s currently my favourite thing on the menu, though I’d love to hear about yours when you visit.
