Dream fortifies its MICE offering

DREAM Hotels & Resorts has been enhancing its MICE offering with a strong focus on flexibility, technology integration and experiential value. Recent developments include the refurbishment of key conferencing venues, upgrades to high-speed connectivity infrastructure and the creation of more adaptable meeting spaces that can easily transition between conferences, breakaway sessions and social functions. “There has been a shift toward designing venues that blend indoor and outdoor environments, allowing corporates to take advantage of South Africa’s natural landscapes while maintaining a professional conferencing standard. This aligns with growing demand for more inspiring, less conventional meeting environments,” Zulfa Hendricks, Group Trade Sales Lead for Dream Hotels & Resorts, tells Travel News. Zimbali Lodge A major focus has been the repositioning of Zimbali Lodge on KZN’s North Coast, with the property having undergone a comprehensive refurbishment. “The property is being elevated toward a more premium, near five-star offering, with upgrades spanning accommodation, public spaces and, importantly, its conferencing infrastructure,” Hendricks says. The lodge’s conference centre has been completely redeveloped and now includes three dedicated venues – the Signature Suite Boardroom, Canopy Conference Room and Hibiscus Room – designed for flexibility and varying group sizes. Technology upgrades have also been prioritised to meet growing demand for hybrid-ready conferencing. Facilities now feature high- definition displays, wireless casting, high-fidelity audio and enterprise-grade Wi-Fi, while all venues are supported by back-up power. “The design approach has also shifted toward experience- led conferencing. The Canopy Room, for example, incorporates glass walls and direct access to outdoor terraces, allowing meetings to flow naturally into open-air breakout sessions. Across the property, new informal lounges, landscaped terraces and pre- function areas support more dynamic and flexible event formats,” says Hendricks. Food and beverage spaces have also been reconfigured to better support banqueting and high-volume corporate events. In addition, the introduction of the new Eleven Tribes restaurant, with its adaptable layout, adds a versatile venue for private dining, incentive groups and exclusive-use functions. Zimbali Lodge has also leaned into its natural setting to enhance its MICE appeal further. Delegates now benefit from a more integrated indoor-outdoor experience, with access to forest decks, wellness facilities and estate amenities such as golf and leisure spaces, supporting the growing demand for conferences that blend business with wellbeing and experiential elements. “Overall, the upgrades position Zimbali Lodge as a modern, hybrid- ready, experience-driven conferencing destination, combining enhanced technology, improved operational flow and a strong sense of place, key factors increasingly driving venue selection in South Africa’s MICE sector,” says Hendricks. Portfolio Dream Hotels & Resorts has a diverse MICE portfolio, with strength across bush, beach, mountain and winelands destinations. The group’s portfolio spans a range of destination-driven conferencing options across South Africa, including Le Franschhoek Hotel & Spa, Piekenierskloof Mountain Resort, Finfoot Lake Reserve, Little Switzerland Resort, Blue Marlin All-Inclusive Seascape and The Peninsula All-Suite Hotel. “Unlike traditional city hotels, our venues provide a true sense of escape, which enhances focus, creativity and team connection,” says Hendricks.