Tsogo Sun’s iconic Sandton Sun hotel has returned to its rightful place as a sophisticated and modern landmark in the area, following an investment of R210 million into its recently undertaken refurbishment.
Matthew and Sonia Booth in the refurbished Sandton Sun
The 31-year-old hotel is situated in a prime location within the busy and exclusive business and retail hub of Sandton, and has been repositioned as a gateway into the Sandton City shopping centre. With street and hotel access linking it with Sandton City’s new Diamond Walk, which is described as ‘Africa’s definitive luxury and super-luxury retail destination’, the hotel is a natural asset to the centre and to the city of Johannesburg.
Sandton Sun Bathroom
Says Marcel von Aulock, CEO of Tsogo Sun, “This refurbishment has strengthened Tsogo Sun’s position in Sandton even further – as a leader in Africa’s most influential node with three hotels in excellent locations, as well as the Sandton Convention Centre. We are proud to have been a partner to Liberty and Pareto in managing this spectacular property on their behalf and to have been the hospitality partner of Sandton City for over three decades.”
Sandton Sun Superior
Describing the revamp, Sandton Sun General Manager, Peter Davidson, says, “We focused on taking the detail into account when we planned the refurbishment, ensuring that we incorporated simple things that will make our guests’ stay more enjoyable – and that we offer everything that a guest might need.”
With the refurbishment, the number of hotel rooms has reduced by eight to 326 spacious rooms and suites that have been designed to be luxurious with all the necessary conveniences and comfort. “We created a feature in selected rooms where people can sit and work, ensuring we added touches such as USB points. The bathrooms have been rebuilt to luxurious standards,” says Davidson.
Throughout the hotel, furniture has been refurbished and repurposed where possible, and the ambience is slick and sophisticated, while still offering every guest a home away from home. The ‘new’ Sandton Sun, says Davidson, is now ahead of the game; it is the preferred property among the luxury hotels in the area.
The refurbishment was jointly funded by the property owners, Pareto and Liberty, with responsibility for the design concept and implementation, as well as the operational issues relating to the refurb being handled by Tsogo Sun. “We are proud to have contributed to Liberty’s ability to attract luxury global brands to the Diamond Walk, making Sandton an incredibly exciting shopping destination for locals and tourists from all over the world,” concludes Von Aulock.
Tsogo Sun’s portfolio includes over 90 hotels and 14 casino and entertainment destinations throughout South Africa, Africa, the Seychelles and Abu Dhabi. The Group operates in all segments of the hotel market from Deluxe to Budget. For further information, visit tsogosun.com, follow on Twitter @TsogoSun or on Facebook.com/TsogoSun.
About Tsogo Sun
Tsogo Sun is the leading hotels, gaming and entertainment company in South Africa, providing a variety of hospitality and exciting entertainment and leisure experiences. Combining an established heritage with a professional and energised approach, the group proudly encompasses 14 casinos and over 90 hotels in South Africa, Africa, the Seychelles and Abu Dhabi.
The company’s hospitality interests offer a wide distribution of hotels in Africa, providing world-class accommodation across all markets, including elegant, individually branded luxury hotels and well-known trusted market leaders in the premier through budget segments, including Southern Sun Hotels, Garden Court, SunSquare, StayEasy and SUN1 hotels.
The exciting urban and resort casino portfolio includes the most popular entertainment destinations, strategically located throughout South Africa. In the Gauteng province, Tsogo Sun owns the group’s flagship property, Montecasino in Fourways, which features, amongst other attractions, the award-winning Teatro; Gold Reef City Casino and Theme Park in Southern Johannesburg; and Silverstar Casino to the West in Krugersdorp. Additional properties are owned and operated in the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Free State, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal, including the jewel on Durban’s Golden Mile, Suncoast Casino, Hotels and Entertainment.
Tsogo Sun Citizenship is the group’s corporate citizenship strategy which encompasses three areas of focus. This includes Corporate Social Investment, whereby the group promotes the development of learners through three academies which offer holistic, full-year programmes centred around sport, art and education; Entrepreneur Development which focuses on skills-based entrepreneurial development through its Tsogo Sun Book a Guesthouse and Supplier Development programmes; and Environmental Education, committed to initiatives that reduce the impact the business has on the environment.
Tsogo Sun (“TSH”) is listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. The key shareholders of Tsogo Sun are Hosken Consolidated Investments Limited (“HCI”), a JSE listed investment holding company.
Tsogo Sun Gaming supports the National Responsible Gambling Programme. Winners know when to stop. Only persons over the age of 18 are permitted to gamble. National Problem Gambling counselling toll-free helpline: 0800 006 008.
For more information go to tsogosun.com, follow us on Twitter and Instagram @TsogoSun or like us on Facebook /TsogoSun.
The hotel
When it comes to world-class accommodation in Johannesburg, Sandton Sun remains at the forefront of award-winning cosmopolitan excellence. This urban hotel has become more than simply a place to stay. It is a celebrated haven for business travellers and a sought-after destination for leisure seekers – a place that truly understands the importance of treating guests like royalty. With every touch marked by quality and character, Sandton Sun aims to excite and enchant its guests, allowing it to stand out from the crowd. An icon in Sandton’s skyline, the hotel bustles with personality and has reclaimed its space as the gateway to Johannesburg richest and most diverse business and shopping district.
Location
Sandton is a playground for the famous and the epicentre for business, retail and entertainment in Gauteng. As Johannesburg’s business hub, it is the headquarters of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and many multi-national companies; host to many international convention and conferences; world famous for its unadulterated retail therapy and home to the iconic Sandton Sun.
The hotel is connected to the world-renowned Sandton Convention Centre via an enclosed skywalk and has direct access to one of the southern hemisphere’s largest and most luxurious shopping centre, Sandton City via the Diamond Walk which houses the world’s most luxury brands such as Prada and Dolce & Gabbana.
Accommodation
Sandton Sun offers 326 newly refurbished en-suite rooms. With attention to detail, each room has been styled with luxury as a priority and boasts incredible views of Sandton. You will not want for anything – 750 MB complimentary WiFi, mini-bars, Nespresso coffee machines, DSTV and many other lavish touches.
Room types include: 286 Superior, 10 Executive, 7 Studios, 3 Junior Suites, 17 Suites and 3 Presidential Suites, the most grand of which includes a private rooftop bar, deck and Jacuzzi.
Conference
BUSINESS SUITE 1-4 Catering for a maximum of 16 delegates, the Business Suites include 4 boardrooms. Complete with en-suite changing rooms for early arrivals and late departures, a VIP check-in counter and the latest in video conferencing makes this state-of-the-art space perfect for business travellers.
BUSINESS SUITE 5-7 Sandton Sun’s brand new meeting suites are characterised by urban, modern and elegant furnishing. Each meeting room is fully equipped with ceiling mounted projectors and screens as well as light and temperature controls. The suites can be used as individual meeting spaces or can be combined as one full-size room capable of hosting 200 guests in cocktail or cinema style.
LEVEL II Situated adjacent to Sandton Sun’s lobby, Level II is the perfect venue to hold cocktail functions, corporate events, product launches and year-end functions. Rich in character, this venue has its own private entrance and cocktail bar and comes equipped with a dance floor, staging and lighting.
The Sandton Sun conference team is able to offer advice and recommendations with regards to menus, décor, themes, lighting, entertainment and all other event details. Experienced and innovative conference coordinators ensure each function runs smoothly from planning to implementation.
Leisure activities
SANDTON SUN SPA One of Johannesburg’s best kept secret, the spa is open seven days a week from 08h00 to 21h00 and is an oasis of tranquillity that caters to each client’s individual preferences – from lighting to music, to temperature and scent. Eight en-suite treatment rooms, all machine-free, offer clients a private, holistic and relaxing experience. With a beautiful retail space, tailor-made packages and gift vouchers on offer, it is the perfect place to spoil that someone special.
SWIMMING POOL For guests who simply wish to relax and bask in the sunshine, the hotel’s newly renovated swimming pool is available on the deck. Enjoy unforgettable African sunsets while enjoy one of the hotel’s signature cocktails.
Food and beverage
Sandton Sun offers an exclusive section of in-house eateries that encompasses the essence and spirit of the hotel. A marriage of style, exceptional service, sustainability and local flavour, the culinary fare caters to every palette.
SAN RESTAURANT This regional grand café-style restaurant that serves a la carte breakfast, lunch and dinner making use of seasonal, local produce where possible. For small groups and private dinners, the flexi and private dining rooms with their own private terrace ass a final exclusive touch to any dining experience.
SAN DECK Situated just outside the San Restaurant, the San Deck, complete with fire pits and outdoor pool, is an ideal venue for sundowners, pre-dinner cocktails or chilled beer to unwind after a hectic day. Live music sweeps through the air on weekends.
SAN BAR With a wide variety of wines ad platter menus on offer, the San Bar is the perfect place to enjoy after-work or pre-dinner drink.
LIBRARY LOUNGE Comfortable and close to the Business Suites, the Library Lounge is an ideal venue to engage in business talks, negotiations and close deals.
SHOW KITCHEN This interactive, flexible space boasts eight seats along the kitchen counter, where guests can request meals not on the menu – a perfect solution for long stay guest wanting something unique and a great opportunity for chefs for experiment a little.