When the now late hotel magnate Sol Kerzner built Sun City in 1979 he envisioned an astonishing resort in the middle of the African bush and 46 years on, guests are still dazzled by the ongoing sense of wonder.

At the time South Africans were enchanted with what was Africa’s most glamorous hotel – the Sun City Hotel – but more than four decades later,  the grand dame has been showing her age.

Nips and tucks over the years helped, but last year Sun International set about giving the famous entertainment and leisure mecca a complete facelift.

This iconic hotel, which has been the heartbeat of Sun City, now has a refreshed elegance, blending timeless charm with modern sophistication. The grand “old lady,” as Sun City general manager Brett Hoppé refers to her, officially revealed her new look this week with a Miami style pool party, following the R350 million refurbishment. 

Hoppé said from the day that Sun City hotel first opened its doors, South Africans have streamed through them.

“We promised the glamour of Vegas, balanced by world-class family leisure and entertainment facilities. But at 46 our hotel was looking tired, so we knew we had to restore it to its former glory.”

From November this year, most of the hotel’s 350 rooms will be ready to reopen in time for the 2025 Nedbank Golf Challenge and the busy December season. From the glamorous new port-cochere to the attractive new rooms, visitors will fall in love with the magic of this iconic hotel all over again.

Inside each elegantly refurbished room, guests will be greeted by a soft and harmonious palate of white and soft neutrals, lifted by pops of warmer gold and turquoise. The new contemporary bathrooms and coffee bar lead past plush king sized beds, to the mid-century modern outdoor terrace décor with sweeping views over the pool and the 18-hole Gary Player Golf Course beyond.

Sun City hotel’s new look reflects the perfect marriage between local Tswana culture and contemporary luxury. 

Part of the new-look journey includes the new Sun Terrace restaurant which has undergone a  transformation – offering not only world-class dining but also panoramic views of the landscape.

The adjacent resort pool area is now a multi-layered sanctuary, blending family fun with elevated sophistication. Children’s play zones ensure carefree moments for families, while private cabanas with luxury daybeds offer seclusion for those seeking refined relaxation. 

Hoppé explained that the Sun City Hotel is more adult orientated, but there are a lot of child centred activities across the resort. Day and nighttime pool parties will form part of the hype and vibe. “I think this was how the hotel was originally imagined,” he said.

According to Hoppé, Sun City, 46 years after its birth, is still very relevant, especially if one looks at its occupancy.

“Our biggest challenge is to keep it fresh with cutting edge offerings”.  

But local input from the community is high on the list, with local labour and contractors which were used in the refurbishment as well making use of local businesses to source products.

In light of the high rate of unemployment in the North West Province, job creation is vital and at the height of the project, 550 of the local people worked on site, Hoppé said.

Sun City has remained a unique experience over the decades, with massive diversity – all in one place.

zelda.venter@inl.co.za

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