A brief look at this weeks hotel news
New Kruger safari resort still going ahead
PLANS for the construction of a new safari resort near Malelane
Gate in the Kruger are not “off the cards” the developer and
SANParks have confirmed. Recent reports suggested that the
project had been suspended after the deadline for an application
to the Department of Environmental Affairs was missed. However,
Peter Wright, ceo: Malelane Safari Resort Investments; and
SANParks managing executive: tourism development & marketing,
Glenn Phillips, have said the project is still going ahead. Peter said,
while the deadline for the submission of an application to DEA did
lapse, another application had already been submitted and the
company was expecting a response soon. He said a decision had
been taken to submit a new application.
Graceland Hotel completes upgrades
THE first phase of the R10-million refurbishment project at
Peermont’s Graceland Hotel Casino and Country Club in Secunda
has been completed. Refurbishments have been done on two floors
of the four-star Walmont Hotel and the Privé-style Manhattan lounge
at a cost of R5,5 million. The two Walmont floors have received
new carpets and wallpapers and the Manhattan Casino bathroom
facilities have had a complete makeover. The second phase is under
way and scheduled for completion at the end of this month. This
will include the addition of the new Madison’s Bistro and family
restaurant with a dedicated children’s entertainment area.
Starwood introduces Westin to Mauritius
STARWOOD Hotels and Resorts has launched its Westin brand in
Mauritius with the recent opening of The Westin Turtle Bay Resort &
Spa. The resort will feature 190 guest rooms, including 38 suites.
Five dining venues, including an all-day dining restaurant, two
speciality restaurants, a pool restaurant and bar, as well as a lobby
lounge, will be available to guests. Event space includes a ballroom,
two meeting rooms and a business centre. The resort is located in
Turtle Bay in Balaclava on the north-west coast of Mauritius.
New Seychelles hotel opens for bookings
THE Eden Blue, a new hotel in the Seychelles, has opened for
bookings and will open to guests on November 1. The hotel is
located on Eden Island, near the capital, Victoria. Room types
include 74 deluxe rooms, 12 luxury suites and a presidential
suite. All the rooms have a workstation with international plug
sockets, a mini-bar fridge, bathroom, a separate shower, lounge
area and 24-hour room service. Adjacent to the hotel is Eden
Plaza, a purpose-built retail centre that houses shops, boutiques,
diving and boat charters as well as banking and medical facilities.
WiFi will enable guests to make use of in-room Apple TV systems
to play music, videos and other material on their TV screens. An
interactive digital concierge can be downloaded to a smartphone or
mobile device before arrival, which will provide guests with all hotel
service, island activies and any information they need .
