Mahikeng - Sun International’s legendary Sun City in the North West Province is undergoing an R800-million refurbishment to revitalise its iconic appeal and ensure that it retains its rightful place as South Africa’s Premier Lifestyle Resort and one of the most exciting leisure destinations in the world.
“Sun City forms part of Africa’s largest tourism, leisure and gaming group. It has a special place in the hearts of the millions of people who visit the resort each year. Its rejuvenation is to ensure that it stays at the cusp of experiential entertainment and leisure experiences. This substantial investment is part of our promise to give our guests a destination of unmatched experiences, to create lasting memories,” says Mike van Vuuren, the managing executive at Sun City.
The resort’s four hotels, the entertainment zones as well as the food and beverage oulets are being revamped. The 382 luxury self-catering apartments at the Sun Vacation Club have already been upgraded, and trusted family restaurant brands, Spur and Ocean Basket, are onboard to enhance the family appeal.
Holidaymakers at Sun Vacation Club also now have the convenience of a new, upmarket shop, The Pantry, where they can purchase fresh holiday essentials during their stay, without venturing outside the resort. The shop has a butchery, bakery, fruit, vegetables and other home cooking essentials. The Pantry also stocks a limited selection of wines and beers, and a wide assortment of non-alcoholic beverages.
Enhanced hospitality
Sun City’s Cabanas hotel has just completed a holistic refurbishment which includes a refresh of the guest rooms, reception area and restaurant. This is the first major upgrade of the hotel since 2007 when the rooms were restyled to mark the hotel’s 25th anniversary.
Along with the rejuvenation of the aesthetics of the hotel, a completely re-imagined Cabanas has emerged.
“Cabanas offers guests great value and the best of all worlds, from its modernised new look, world class facilities and contemporary rooms to its beautiful natural location. Guests can use the Cabanas as a relaxing retreat or as a base for their adventures at the resort. As the sun sets over the open spaces and rolling lawns, the night lights up at the Cabanas pool deck, with cocktails and a vibrant island atmosphere,” says van Vuuren.
The Sun City Hotel, at the heart of the resort, will soon provide an ‘always on’ party zone, complete with night clubs, a burlesque club and restaurants. In the meantime guests can enjoy the wildly anticipated Legends restaurant, a trendy grill house that pays tribute to the icons that have graced Sun City since 1979. Take a trip down memory lane while savouring some of the best dishes the resort has to offer. This is complemented by the also recently opened Mugg & Bean, offering the reassurance of familiarity and the generosity and warm service for which the brand is renowned. Mugg & Bean at the Sun City Hotel offers visitors a place to meet, eat and connect at any time of the day, right at the centre of it all.
At the five star Cascades hotel, Santorini has been reimagined as an exciting upscale restaurant, Bocado. This restaurant offers guests one of the most beautiful settings to enjoy vibrant Mediterranean dishes, offering foodies a chance to explore classic and new flavours from the region.
The Palace, now offers two new and exclusive, by invitation only, ultra high-end casinos, The Palace Villa and The Palace Salon. Guests are spoilt with choice with the new-look steak house in The Grill Room. There are also plans for further upgrades to Plume as well as the Tusk Bar and Lounge in the coming months.
More thrilling entertainment
Already offering an unprecedented choice of thrilling outdoor and entertainment activities in one place, Sun City has bolstered its offering for teenagers and adventurers with the recent launch of an adventure hub, Adrenalin Extreme. Adrenalin Extreme offers heart-pounding, adrenalin-pumping outdoor activities including Drift Trikes, Hovercrafts, the Accelerator and the Grizzly 4x4 Quad challenge.
Now underway is the expansion of the Valley of Waves water park to offer new exciting rides and new food offerings. Changes at the Valley of Waves include the recent opening of a microbrewery-themed gastro pub, The Brew Monkey, which offers spectacular views over the tidal pool, with a choice of sitting indoors or outdoors on the deck. The menu boasts a selection of hunger-busting bar tins, monkey dogs, gourmet burgers, snack boards and craft beers. The Valley of Waves also boasts a new, expansive and fresh fast food eatery, Food Factory, with a range of affordable choices to suit every taste.
Conferencing with a difference comes in the form of the Sun Park, a multipurpose facility for hosting lifestyle events, music festivals, product launches and other experiences. Ample and versatile, Sun Park will offer the support services of an indoor events venue with the flexibility of an outdoor space, the possibilities are endless.
The 2016 phase of the upgrades to Sun City will see the ambitious reinvention of the Entertainment Centre, creating an experiential journey. It will be home to arcade games, lazer tag, ten pin bowling and other fun-filled activities for visitors of all ages. The Entertainment Centre will also house a South African Hall of Fame honouring the country’s sporting heroes and performing artists, as well as an optimised Convention Centre on the upper level.
Until the reengineering of the Entertainment Centre next year, visitors can explore recently added offerings such as the pop up restaurants, Harvest Grill & Wine and Calisto’s, Smooch and the Sun City Collections store.
During the upgrade of the Entertainment Centre, conferences will be accommodated at the SunSky Village, a temporary but fully-equipped facility near Sun City’s front entrance.
The redevelopment of Sun City will reach fruition by the end of 2016.
Come make memories with us
Sun City’s holiday campaign, Summer Escape, promises the ultimate in non-stop holiday entertainment with a jam-packed lineup of artists and shows, including the outrageously funny stage production, Defending the Caveman; a concert by award winning house band, Mi Casa; Carols by Candlelight; a thumping drumming show by 1st Project; evening pool parties, and New Year’s Eve celebrations at venues across the resort. Summer Escape kicks into high gear on 11 December 2015 until 11 January 2016.
Sun City’s vibrant bars and lounges, including Luma Bar & Lounge at Cascades hotel and Harlequins at the Sun City Hotel and Traders Sports Bar at the Entertainment Centre, will also feature free live entertainment on certain nights.
Between now and June 2016, holidaymakers booking a stay at Sun City can enjoy a host of value-adds as part of the Sun City Super Stay Promotion. The longer the stay, the more value guests receive. Sun City Super Stay packages include great rates on accommodation at Sun City hotels (including breakfast); free entry to Sun City; a food and beverage voucher (the value of which is determined by the length of stay at the resort); an activities voucher with Mankwe Gametrackers and free entry to the Valley of Waves.
To check hotel rates and make a booking, go to http://www.suninternational.com/sun-city/specials/sun-city-super-stay and use the promotional code SUNFIESTA.
There is always something to do at Sun City. The Valley of Waves is renowned for its wave pool and thrilling water slides. These include the Temple of Courage, two super fast tube slides and two body slides.
There are also a variety of water sports, including jet skiing, parasailing and water skiing, available at Waterworld. In addition, the resort offers a choice of sparkling pools, two aviaries, jogging trails; quad biking; archery; floodlit tennis courts, guided tours of the resort on zippy Segways, and one of the world’s longest Zip Slide – to mention just a few of the fun things to do at Sun City.
Children can enjoy the adventure playground, an animal farm and a kiddies’ mini car race track at Waterworld. Fun-filled, supervised workshops are hosted at Kamp Kwena twice a day. The programme varies to include loads of exciting activities for children. These include visits to the crocodile farm, musical games, arts and crafts, story-telling, adventures at The Maze of the Lost City, Bumper Boats, and lots more.
Sun City borders the game-rich and malaria-free Pilanesberg National Park where people can spot the Big Five on magnificent game drives and experience spectacular views of the reserve in hot air balloons.
Getting to Sun City has become easier with direct flights to Pilanesberg International Airport from Cape Town or Johannesburg. Bookings for flights to and from Sun City are available through SA Express at http://www.flyexpress.aero/
For more information about Sun City visit sunintrnational.com/sun-city, like us on Facebook SunCitySA or follow us Twitter SunCityResortSA
IOL, adapted from press release