BON Hotels, a South African-based hospitality company that owns, manages and markets hotels throughout Africa, now operates 37 hotels across the African continent, including hotels in Angola, Ethiopia, Namibia and South Africa. The West African arm, BON Hotels International West Africa, oversees the operations and management of 25 hotels across 14 cities in Nigeria.
Looking to further cement their presence in KwaZulu-Natal and following their recent acquisition of Hotel 64 on Gordon in Durban, BON Hotels has announced the inclusion of two additional properties in the region, namely Protea Hotel Empangeni, to be named BON Hotel Empangeni, and Protea Hotel Waterfront Richards Bay, to be named BON Hotel Waterfront Richards Bay.
“These hotels are exceptional products - they are the best in their class in their respective locations and it is going to be our job to make sure that we build on that good base,” says Guy Stehlik, Chief Executive Officer of BON Hotels.
He says to ensure that the hotels do not miss a heartbeat, the group’s objective is to ensure that the transition to BON Hotels systems and procedures is implemented with minimum fuss, with the aim of securing new business and ultimately improving upon the performance of the hotels.
BON Hotel Waterfront Richards Bay offers 75 spacious, modern rooms, each with views of the oceanfront and yacht harbour. Facilities include a conference centre with three meeting rooms, a restaurant, cocktail bar plus lounge, and a swimming pool.
General Manager, André de Klerk, says Richards Bay is underestimated as a tourist destination, but has much to offer in terms of its pristine beaches, fishing, water sports and entertainment, along with its strong corporate offering.
BON Hotel Empangeni, located in the heart of Empangeni’s business district halfway between Durban and Swaziland, is well situated for the business and leisure traveller. Combining simplicity with understated style, accommodation comprises of 55 tastefully decorated rooms, an in-house restaurant, bar and three meeting rooms seating up to 230 guests.
De Klerk says that this hotel is popular with the government sector and for conferences and weddings, and enjoys some domestic tourism too.
“BON Hotels is a young, dynamic and energetic brand that endeavours to exceed guests' expectations in the true tradition that we as a hotel group have been accustomed to for the past 18-odd years. This new partnership will be exciting for us and our loyal guests - together we will grow with the BON brand that aims to lead us in a new direction of establishing genuine guest service excellence,” says Freddy Schoonhoven, owner of both properties and prominent member of the Richards Bay community.
BON Hotels has been working hard to develop their property portfolio and sales and marketing presence in KZN, and are looking to further replicate the BON experience throughout South Africa for their customers. Stehlik says as they are doing in Nigeria and Angola, the group’s strategy is to create inter-city tourism circuits to boost the industry and link important centres across South Africa. “And we are not far off from where we need to be,” he adds.
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