The province of Limpopo saw its first Sun International Hotel open it’s doors on Saturday evening.
Built at the Meropa Casino and Entertainment World, the hotel is a much needed boost for Polokwane, adding welcome variety in the area. It has a total 60 rooms, is chic and modern. The design represents the beauty of African themed designs.
Domba Empowerment Corporation (PTY) Ltd also has a stake in the expansion of the complex.
The building follows the architectural style of Morocco, with a large building that looks like it was constructed mainly out of mud. The symmetrical and square bulky nature of the design gives the building an ancient aesthetic, as if you're standing in Rabat or even Casablanca where designs of this nature are at home.
The launch was attended by many of Polokwane’s prominent players in the tourism industry, and most of them expressed to Sun International their pleasure that the hotel had come into their backyard.
The project is said to have cost Sun International R76 million to construct the hotel, and in the construction phases of the hotel, it created 75 direct and indirect opportunities for employment. With the addition of the hotel to the Meropa Casino and Entertainment World, the complex now employs 328 people on lengthier contracts.
Leading the team from the front is Peter Guthrie, who is now General Manager of Meropa Sun and has extensive experience working in the Sun International fraternity. This is Guthrie's first time experience opening up a new hotel, but he seems to be taking it in his stride.
Guests were treated to delicious food served by the hotel’s head chef and his team. Festivities included the Sun Meropa logo being set alight in the official opening ceremony. Reigning Miss SA Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters who was the MC for the evening, placed the cherry on top when she declared the hotel open.
What followed after was a lively atmosphere with attendees dancing the night away in the outdoors pool area. This seemed like a good omen, a glimpse into how this area will always be associated with good times.
The hotel is decorated with deep browns, reds and blues.Framed carpets give the feeling of being in a hotel in the North African state. The restaurant, named The Kasbah. A Kasbah, is historically the old walled part of a North African town. The restaurant is however far from old, with modern oak and velvet covered chairs with matching oak tables. The decor is simple but chic and comfortable on the eye.
I slept in the standard twin room and the clean, almost minimalist decor of the room The thought that I was one of the first people to sleep in the room also filled me with a child-like elation. The rooms are fully furnished with basic amenities such as a safe for your valuables, ample cupboard space, air conditioning that is cleverly mounted, television with dstv channels, and a coffee station. The hotel also has active wifi.
In the complex, guests staying over have a number of activities that they can participate in. Be it visiting the Wild Things bird and reptile park to see Adam, the one meter long snake that’s the center’s most famous resident, or visiting the Mangwanani Spa for a facial. If you’re the more adventurous type, then go-carting will certainly get your juices pumping or playing a game of putt-putt will be a great de-stressing tool.
A peacock showing off. Photo: Supplied
For the over 18s, there’s a fully equipped casino on the premises for you to try your luck and the Jembe Tavern that hosts special events on Wednesdays and weekends.
The hotel is now open for bookings. See the options here.