ISLAND OF LAGOS
Victoria Island, popularly called V.I. ( pronounced as Vee I) is the beauty of Lagos city. The neighbourhood is so well known that even the names of its streets have become iconic across the nation. This island is only one of Lagos’ districts that has the most inimitable skyline.
Originally surrounded entirely by water, It was bordered by the Atlantic ocean on the south, the mouth of the Lagos Lagoon on the West, the Five Cowrie Creek to the north North, and
swamps on the East. It has since, however, been filled (by the British colonial government to reduce mosquito breeding areas), creating land bridge between Victoria Island and Lekki Peninsula , and ending its existence as a true island.
Victoria Island is one of the most exclusive and expensive areas to live in Lagos and Nigeria as a whole. While the rest of Lagos has much to see and do, it is Victoria Island that represents the city – and sometimes the entire Nigeria to the world.
Packed with attractions, dining and drinking for any budget and an expansive offering of shows and live music, the neighbourhood is certainly the center of the action in Lagos City.
You could spend a week on this tiny island and still not see all there is to see. Grab a yellow taxi, hop on a keke-maruwa or just start walking, and you are sure to begin to understand just what it is that makes Victoria Island, thick.
TOP 3 LANDMARKS IN V.I
1004 BUILDING
Try imagining VI’s skyline without the towering spire of the 1004 Buildings. The buildings are among the largest single luxury high rise estate in Sub Saharan Africa and comprises over 1004 flats, maisonettes, studio apartments.
Civic Tower
No matter which part of V.I. you are wandering through or where your curiosities lie, it’s hard to miss this architectural fixture or pass it without being awestruck. Located next to
the Civic center, it has become one of Victoria Island’s most eye-popping skyscraper.
Oniru palace
Oniru Palace is located on a road named after the structure, next to Maroko and is the location where the ruling house of the area resides. The Oniru Palace Road has a length of 1.34 kilometres.
HOTELS IN VICTORIA ISLAND
From boutique and upscale spots to luxurious corners, Victoria Island still offers the most comprehensive range of Lagos hotels.
The Raddisson Blu Anchorage Hotel,
Located at the water-front in Victoria Island, Lagos is a sophisticated 5-star luxury
hotel that is sure to take your breath away. The 170 roomed
hotel offers you a scenic view of the Lagos Lagoon and facilities that are sure to take your breath away.
You can take an afternoon dip in the large pool or work out at the state of the art gym. Pamper yourself at the Spa/Wellness & Fitness centre and indulge your taste buds with the buffet styled continental and local cuisines the onsite restaurant has to offer. The hotel also lies in close proximity to the Silver Bird Galleria, where you can catch a movie. A tennis court and beach volley ball court is open to sport loving guests.
Other growth areas include the Eko Atlantic city, which is getting a new lease on life as its development nears completion. Upscale chains such as Sheraton , Protea, Intercontinental, e.t.c have their flashy property erected in the district, 5star hotels including Federal Palace Hotel, Eko Hotel, also Oriental Hotel have taken up spots in the area. There are also favorite longstanding B&Bs, which will give you a taste of local life.
DINNING
The dining choices in Lagos are almost infinite, and deciding. where to spend your food money can be overwhelming. Victoria Island’s rich history, lively bars and growing number of hot restaurants attract young, adventurous visitors as well as businessmen and women. The breadth of the Victoria Island’s restaurant scene is truly something to behold, ranging from internationally renowned fine-dining establishments to tasty cheap eats, and boasting a cosmopolitan range of cuisines to choose from, including Italian, Chinese and Indian.
One of the best shopping areas in Lagos is Victoria Island. The district is rightfully famous for its glossy, perfume-scente stores and high-end boutiques, which sell everything from bespoke suits to top-notch leather bags and exquisite diamond engagement rings.While there are very few local markets, there are places where you can get the most of retail goodness. V.I is an especially great destination for a shopping holiday. Victoria Island is popular for being the location of the embassies for Russia, Germany, Bulgaria and Great Britan.
PARTIES
Despite the hustle and wild chase for survival in Lagos, the residents of the metropolitan city still love to party and have a good time. You find them at various bars, lounges, clubs,
and bars downing different brands of beverages as they chat away with friends and dance to the music blaring from loudspeakers. On their tables, you will find empty bottles of drinks while outside the premises, dozens of cars owned by fun seekers are parked.
Lagos never disappoints fun seekers, not even the night-crawler. You will be spoilt for choices as there are many places where you can have an unforgettable night treat in Nigeria.
Chill and chat with the big boys at Quilox
This is the best place to have a lavish and pleasant night life especially if you reside on the Island. Located on the Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue Victoria Island, it offers unparalleled late night clubbing and hangouts for party lovers. It is a one- stop center for nightlife! You mingle to meet singles, network, wine and dine. What Quilox is to the Island, Club Vegas is to the Island. It is one of the finest clubs on the Ikeja axis. It supposedly offers fun similar to what you will get in Las Vegas in America. As you know, Las Vegas is the hub for gambling and nightlife in the state. The fun at Club Vegas can sometimes go overboard. It is not a place for
person who don’t know how to groove . It is situated on Sheraton-Opebi Link road.
Great places to visit also iclude the popular Bar Beach and Elegushi beach
