Dressed in their finest attire, potential investors and VIP guests arrived at the Fairmont Zimbali Resort last night to hear all about the new Zimbali Lakes Resort project.
Holidaymakers to Northern KwaZulu-Natal will, in a few years, be able to book luxury accommodation that overlooks a man-made lake. A crowd of more than 550 guests heard as the CEO of IFA, Werner Burger, revealed plans for the project, just moments after he and Nils Rothbarth, the General Manager of Fairmont Zimbali Resort, cut the ribbon to launch the Fairmont Zimbali Conference Centre.
CEO of IFA, Werner Burger, revealed plans for the project, just moments after he and Nils Rothbarth, the General Manager of Fairmont Zimbali Resort, cut the ribbon to launch the Fairmont Zimbali Conference Centre.
Known for its stunning hotel offerings, including Pine Cliffs Resort on the Algarve in Portugal and the Fairmont Palm on Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, IFA Hotel teased guests with images of the new development.
A minute long video played to whet the appetite of the guests. While the attendees sipped on champagne, Burger revealed the plans for the 300-hectare development.
Around 550 guests attended the event at Fairmont Zimbali Resort.
Among the offerings include The Boulevard: a mix use development consisting of a hotel, residential and commercial offerings, Ocean Club: a hospitality and leisure offering, similar to Zimbali Suite Club and the Water Club: a 200 bed luxury hotel and 650 residential units located at the edge of the lake.
An artist impression of what Zimbali Lakes Resort will look like.
Burger, dressed in a black suit, told attendees that South Africa and the province’s economy will enjoy a further boost through the investments made in Zimbali. Phil De Sylva, IFA Senior Vice President Operations, told IOL Travel the key success of the pet-friendly resort will be their vast offerings, including a new 18-hole championship design golf course, sporting facilities and routes to accommodate mountain bikers and runners.
Phil De Sylva, IFA Senior Vice President Operations, tells IOL Travel about the new development.
“The signature feature is the 30 hectare lake to be created adjacent to the uTongaati River, providing recreational water sport opportunities and significantly enhancing views from surrounding real estate,” he said.
Sylva said the project will be complete in the next 10-15 years. He said the project was a massive game changer for the region and tourism in KwaZulu-Natal.
Developers, from left, Rob Kirby, Howick Oosthuizen, Dennis Moss, John Van Wyk and Werner Burger. Pictures: Sibonelo Ngcobo.
Judging by the evening’s affair, this development is nothing but pure luxury. To celebrate the development, organisers pulled out all the stops to create an ambiance that encompasses the opulence of what the project will offer. Chefs got creative with the food with sushi, curries and meat dishes on offer. The star of the evening was the dessert table with a doughnut wall and gourmet eton mess on display. Guests also enjoyed a gin, wine and champagne bar.