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New SOMA Hotel & Restaurant opens at Houston
(Kaieteur News) – President Irfaan Ali on Saturday joined businessman Lars Mangal, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the TOTALTEC Group of Companies, for the official opening of his SOMA Hotel and Restaurant, which is located at Houston, East Bank Demerara (EBD).
Kaieteur News understands that this flagship hospitality enterprise represents a major private investment in Guyana’s growing service and hospitality sector which is strategically positioned within one of the country’s most important operations and maritime logistics hubs supporting offshore oil and gas activities.
The new SOMA Hotel and Restaurant which opened on Saturday at Houston, East Bank Demerara.
With its purpose to serve the offshore oil and gas logistics and operations corridor in Guyana, while creating local jobs and developing Guyanese service in excellence, the hotel and restaurant is located by way of the Guyana Shore Base main access road at Houston, East Bank Demerara.
Comprising of 52 modern rooms with a signature 120-seat restaurant and lounge, it should be noted that this new establishment will serve both corporate and leisure guests, featuring conference facilities, and premium service standards designed to meet the needs of Guyana’s dynamic business community.
According to information provided by the company, the opening of this hotel and restaurant provided jobs for 60 –100 Guyanese during its first phase.
Giving a brief background on what prompted the investment, Mr. Mangal noted that SOMA was born from a vision to create a space that serves the nation’s industrial heartbeat, while also showcasing the warmth and sophistication of Guyanese hospitality.
The founder explained that the name SOMA, derived from his daughter’s first and last names, and “reflects the personal and family values that inspired the project – legacy, continuity, and contribution to Guyana’s development.”
Speaking on how this investment will impact those locally, he said that it will create some 100 direct and indirect jobs for Guyanese men and women, across hotel operations, food and beverage services, and maintenance.
He added that it will support a network of local suppliers and service providers, aligning with Guyana’s local content goals and national workforce development priorities.
Further, as the project grows, he noted that TOTALTEC plans to expand SOMA across other key regions of Guyana, offering affordable, high-quality accommodation and dining experiences that support business travelers, professionals, and industrial clients throughout the country.
Delivering the feature address, President Ali welcomed the initiative, noting that investments like SOMA reflect the confidence of the private sector in Guyana’s rapid economic transformation and the government’s vision for sustainable, inclusive growth.
“Lars, I am not only here because of this accomplishment. I am here as a statement that we are grateful for you and all those who embrace this vision and supported by demonstrating confidence through your investment, through your writing and public pronouncement and being part of that positive framework that is advancing our country’s development,” the President expressed.
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