Premier Hotels & Resorts has invested R90m (€5.6m) in a new-build three-star hotel in Bloemfontein, Free State, and R380m (€23.5m) in a four-star Premier Hotel and three-star Splendid Inn in Umhlanga, KwaZulu Natal.

The group’s investment programme will also include construction of a four-star hotel in Fourways, Johannesburg, and a Premier Hotel in Thohoyandou, Limpopo – a popular stopover on the way to Punda Maria Gate at the Kruger National Park.

Premier Hotels & Resorts is also improving hotels across its portfolio:

• Premier Resort Cutty Sark in Scottburgh, KwaZulu Natal, will undergo a R65m (€4m) upgrade, with the addition of 50 rooms, leisure facilities and new conference facilities, among others.
• Premier Hotel The Richards will revamp public areas, expand dining rooms and restaurant, and construct a new conference facility that can cater for 650 delegates, at a cost of R35m (€2.16m).
• Premier Hotel OR Tambo (Johannesburg) will receive a R7m (€432 000) investment that will include an innovative solar energy programme and improvement to its aesthetics.
• Other hotels to be renovated include Premier Hotels & Resorts’ East London properties, and soft refurbishments to the Premier Hotel Regent and Premier Hotel East London ICC.

Over the past 18 months, the group has invested over R300m (€18.5m) to improve hotel standards and facilities across its portfolio, including Premier Resort Sani Pass, Premier Resort The Moorings and Premier Resort Mpongo Private Game Reserve.

Acquisitions include the recent purchase of the Faircity Hotel Group (subject to due diligence and Competition Commission approval) – consisting of three- and four-star conference hotels and serviced apartments in Johannesburg, Sandton and Pretoria, which will add 535 rooms to the group’s existing portfolio of over 2 000 rooms.

Samuel Nassimov, Managing Director of Premier Hotels & Resorts, says: “We are seeking to expand our national footprint across the bulk of South Africa’s major cities whilst providing a premier product to tourism operators, corporates, government and, of course, private guests. Our investment is also a testament to our confidence in the potential of our great country and faith that domestic and international business and tourism confidence will benefit our Group and the economy in the years to come.”