Sun City Resort
Sun City is internationally renowned as Africa ‘s premier holiday resort. Sun City offers a myriad of different entertainment and relaxation opportunities, as well as enough attractions and activities to keep everyone busy. Only 187 km from Johannesburg, the resort, situated in the bushveld of South Africa’s North West province, is surrounded by the imposing mountains of the Pilanesberg. The wide choice of conference venues ensure a level of convention and banqueting facilities which few can beat.
The fabulous Sun City Resort complex captivates visitors with its combination of golf, game and gambling as well as world-class hotels. Formerly the gaming mecca of South Africa, Sun City still attracts those wishing to gamble but also those just wishing to relax, and the focus is now on the total experience of Africa.
Sun City was developed by the hotel magnate Sol Kerzner as part of his Sun International group of properties. It was officially opened on 7 December 1979; at the time it was located in the Bantustan of Bophuthatswana.
Hotels
There are four hotels at Sun City, each offering a choice of accommodation with its own style, character and ambience. Choose from the luxury of The Palace of the Lost City to the perfect family holiday venue at the Cabanas. No matter what you are looking for, be it romance, value for money, family fun or sheer decadence, you will find it at one of the superb hotels situated in Sun City.
The Palace of the Lost City in South Africa ranks as one of the world’s most extraordinary hotels. The centerpiece of the extraordinary Palace of the Lost City complex is a fairytale palace residence, built with unbelievable attention to detail. The interior features exquisite mosaics, frescoes and hand-painted ceilings depicting South Africa ‘s wildlife and culture. There are no less than 338 rooms including four suites. The King, Royal, African and Desert Suites are available on request. The King Suite at The Palace of the Lost City is the epitome of regal luxury with hand-carved walls, frescoed ceilings and hundreds of custom-designed items. All luxury suites at The Palace of the Lost City feature a sauna and jacuzzi bath, while the Africa Suite even has an additional jacuzzi on the balcony. Staying here affords you the opportunity to enjoy life in your very own Palace! All standard rooms at The Palace of the Lost City, South Africa consist of an entrance foyer, en-suite bathroom, lounge and seating area , amenities include air-conditioning, TV, radio, safe, telephone, minibar and butler station.
The Cascades Hotel is a sophisticated and elegant hotel with lush gardens, tropical birds and water features. The Cascades Hotel is the grand old lady of Sun City, and still retains a timeless elegance. Understandably the Cascades Hotel is often the favorite hotel amongst visitors who know Sun City well. All the rooms at The Cascades face the tropical splendour of the Cascades Hotel ‘s gardens and pools. There are 7740 square metres of water features, including 12 man made waterfalls and cataracts. These beautiful gardens at The Cascades Hotel offer unparalleled seclusion and escape from the hustle and bustle of the rest of Sun City.
Alive with activity, the Sun City Hotel in South Africa buzzes around the clock with the excitement of its world-class restaurants, casinos and stage revues. The Sun City Hotel was the first hotel to open its doors at Sun City in South Africa on December 7th 1979. A multitude of entertainment options characterise The Sun City Hotel in the heart of the Sun City complex. The Sun City Hotel in South Africa is for those who want to be where the action is – day and night, this hotel never stops pumping! You’ll find tempting treats from the Orient at the Orchard restaurant; South Africa ‘s traditional specialities are served at the Calabash; a selection of beautifully prepared dishes at Setta Bello; peacocks strut past the lavish buffet at the Sun Terrace; and a sophisticated international hotel menu can be enjoyed at Harlequins Restaurant and Bar.
The most relaxed and casual of all Sun City’s hotels, the Sun City Cabanas is a lakeside hideaway situated in the Sun City Resort. The Cabanas open out onto lush gardens leading down to the Sun City Lake which is a watersport playground for visitors of all ages. The Cabanas is a popular hotel choice for those travelling to Sun City and South Africa. Guests can choose the accommodation type to suit their needs. The Standard Cabanas are all air-conditioned with TV and radio and a shower en suite, whilst the Family Cabanas are larger, accommodating four people with a full bathroom. Both accommodations are decorated in fresh and relaxing themes and provide all the necessary comforts.
Golf
The Sun City golf courses in South Africa are just as spectacular as the rest of the Sun City Resort, with both courses offering the best golf facilities in Africa. The two golf courses were designed by South Africa ‘s golfing pro Gary Player, and top golf tournaments are played on these courses. Whilst professionals can certainly do their rounds, Sun City has not forgotten the amateur player; the Titleist Golf Academy provides private or group instruction and golf clinics. South Africa ‘s famous Gary Player Country Club features an 18-hole golf course with a par of 72. The Gary Player Golf Course situated at Sun City is home to the prestigious Nedbank Golf Challenge. The clever design and multiple tees make the course equally enjoyable for both the keen novice and the skilled professional. Sun City ‘s Country Club offers comprehensive facilities for golfer and non-golfer alike. Make use of the golf and pro shop, putting green, and health spa whenever you feel like it – the club is open seven days a week.
Entertainment
Sun City is aptly named “Africa’s Kingdom of Pleasure” as it provides dazzling entertainment for everyone! The resort at Sun City features glamorous casinos, gourmet restaurants, extensive sports facilities and star-studded performances. From slots to safaris, theatre extravaganzas to the games arcade for children, horse riding to golf, and the Valley of Waves to The Lost City, South Africa ‘s Sun City Resort is a mind-blowing experience.
Initially, Sun City was allowed to provide entertainment such as gambling and topless revue shows, which were banned in South Africa. These factors, as well as its relatively close location to the large metropolitan areas of Pretoria and Johannesburg, ensured that Sun City soon became (and stayed) a popular holiday and weekend destination. Many famous musicians such as Queen, Elton John, Linda Ronstadt, Julio Iglesias, The O’Jays, Ray Charles, Boney M., Black Sabbath, Rod Stewart, Tina Turner, Dionne Warwick, Sarah Brightman, Laura Branigan, John Legend, R Kelly and Thomas Anders (of Modern Talking fame) also performed at the ‘Sun City Super Bowl’, a large auditorium which seats 6,230. Sun City also became the site of several important Heavyweight boxing matches during the late 1970s and early 1980s.
The Sun City resort has hosted various concerts and events, including the Miss World, Miss South Africa and Miss South Africa Teen Pageant. The South African pageants take place annually in Sun City’s Superbowl Arena and the Valley of Waves. Also held in the Valley of Waves is the Springbreak summer festival which sees flocks of holiday-making students from all over the country gather for up to 5 days of fun in the sun.
Sun City Resort is an environmentally friendly destination and has been awarded Gold classification from the Heritage Programme for its commitment to the principles of sustainable and responsible environmental practice. In addition to this, Sun City Resort was awarded the 2007 Overall Imvelo Responsible Tourism Award in South Africa. Imvelo, meaning “nature” in Nguni, forms part of an ongoing hospitality industry campaign to encourage industry members to accept voluntary guidelines by promoting responsible tourism.
