Overview & Ownership

Kuriftu Resorts & Spa is a luxury hotel and resort brand in Ethiopia.

It was founded in 2002 by Tadiwos G. Belete, through Boston Partners PLC.

Kuriftu Resorts are owned, developed, and managed by Boston Partners, which also runs Boston Day Spa, a wellness business linked to the hospitality operations.

Leadership

Tadiwos G. Belete, founder and CEO, was born in 1957 in the Oromia region of Ethiopia.

He migrated abroad as a teenager, lived in Sudan, then the United States, where he studied accounting and ran salons in Boston.

The “Boston” in the company’s name comes from his time in the U.S., where he gained the experience that shaped his approach to hospitality and wellness ventures.

Properties & Operations

In Ethiopia, Kuriftu Resorts has several locations, including:

Bishoftu (the flagship, also home to Ethiopia’s first water park).

Bahir Dar (on Lake Tana, known for scenic views).

Adama, Langano, Semera, and Awash Falls, each offering tailored experiences with local design and culture.

Outside Ethiopia, Boston Partners signed a 50-year lease on Moucha Island in Djibouti, aiming to develop a resort with villas, spa, and eco-friendly infrastructure. However, the project has reportedly faced delays and scaling back due to economic and regulatory challenges.

Signature Features

Integration of Ethiopian art, traditional motifs, and locally crafted furniture in all properties.

A strong wellness focus, with Boston Day Spa offerings tied into the resort experience.

Cultural immersion: resorts often feature cultural villages, exhibitions, and art programs.

The Kuriftu Water Park in Bishoftu is the country’s first large-scale amusement-style water park.

Strategy & Challenges

Strengths:

Strong local branding with global-level service standards.

Integrated wellness and cultural experiences that set the resorts apart.

A vision of expansion within Ethiopia and into neighboring countries.

Challenges:

Foreign exchange shortages in Ethiopia make regional expansion difficult.

Scaling beyond domestic operations comes with infrastructure and financing hurdles.

Increasing competition from international hotel chains in East Africa.

Recent Developments

Launch of Kuriftu African Village, a project near Addis Ababa designed to showcase African culture through villa-style lodging.

Continued expansion of domestic resort sites, with new projects planned in places like Arba Minch and Semera.

The Bishoftu Water Park, opened in 2019, remains a major draw for local and international visitors.