Blog Africa - Hotel News

The Victoria Falls Hotel Offers "Miles" With Select Airline Loyalty Programmes

Thu, 09 Sep 2010 05:22:00 +0200

The Leading Hotels of the World have reached an agreement to partner with Lufthansa German Airlines, 'Lufthansa Miles & More', and Thai Airways, 'Royal Orchid Plus', frequent traveller programs. This allows the internationally renowned Victoria Falls Hotel to affiliate itself with both airlines, awarding airline miles upon booking a deluxe room to members of these programmes. "Airline mileage programmes are one of the most powerful ways to build customer loyalty and, with over 7.5 million members, this is an excellent opportunity for The Victoria Falls Hotel to build upon the customer's loyalty while increasing our market share. Guests staying at our hotel will earn 500 miles per stay in a deluxe room", says Karl Snater, General Manager of Victoria Falls Hotel. The Victoria Falls Hotel, jointly operated by African Sun and Meikles Africa Hotels, has a reputation of being one of the most famous and distinguished hotels on the African continent. Although over 100 years old, this elegant hotel is in delightfully pristine and perfect conditions for all to savour and enjoy when visiting the famous Victoria Falls. Guests are able to redeem their miles upon check-in at the Front Office of the hotel when they produce their membership card. For more information, contact The Victoria Falls Hotel on gm@tvfh.africansun.co.zw or pacro@africansunhotels.com Click Here to Visit The Victoria Falls Hotel Page

More with Less&

Thu, 12 Aug 2010 11:57:00 +0200

As we speak this month, I reflect on our environment, on what is taking place around us, and how it impacts our business. The key message is that the global economic forum has changed forever. It has become evident that prudency in all we do has come to the fore and is now a key business imperative more than it has ever been. In order to preserve value for the business, for ourselves and attain sustainable growth, we will have to become mavericks at what we do and in all areas of operation while maintaining our values. Although I use the term maverick, very much tongue in cheek, I must emphasize that we must realize that we will have to do more with less. Income streams from our existing and potential clients are largely rationalized thereby resulting in a ripple effect to the service industry. This means that our guests are more likely to be price sensitive and at the same time demanding better service standards and delivery from us. This expectation has a direct bearing on our staffing and the requisite levels and caliber of personnel handling our guests. I recently presented a paper at the Institute of People Management of Zimbabwe (IPMZ) conference held in Victoria Falls and my talk touched on these key issues of what is expected of our people to enable them to deliver to internationally acceptable standards, yet at the same time managing head count as any efficient business should. The issue of multi-skilling with the right candidates is a real one which should be the backbone of any organization. In order to effectively deliver at all times, we need to identify talent, nurture it, and this will eventually ensure our competitiveness not only on the African platform but on a global scale as well. This forces me to revisit our staff skills competitiveness globally. What comes to mind is that we have pockets of excellence, but in order to change the perception of current skills level for Africa, our current training and development model has to be revamped in order to fit and meet modern challenges. The framework of the past will not work, therefore I leave you with this food for thought, what part can you play in your organization to ensure that your team remains relevant for today's world and beyond?

Nigeria hotels host FIFA Under 17 World Cup teams

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 10:27:00 +0200

Our hotels in West Africa continue to impress and last month, two of our group properties, Amber Tinapa and Nike Lake Resort successfully hosted teams for the just ended FIFA under 17 World Cup tournament. The tournament started on the 24th of October with the last match held on Sunday the 15th of November 2009. The teams hosted by the two hotels included home team Nigeria, Iran, Korea, Uruguay, Turkey, Netherlands, New Zealand, Gambia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Burkina Faso and the UAE.

The hotels did a great job of hosting the teams and the staff worked tirelessly to make sure everything was in order. One could see there was a lot of excitement from the hotel staff to be a part of the World Cup in their own special way! Some of the star-struck and football-lovers amongst us were lucky enough to go away with some football jerseys as souvenirs.

The teams made full use of the hotel facilities and New Zealand decided not to leave Nike Lake Resort for their training sessions and instead used the grounds at the hotel. Iran on the other hand enjoyed the hospitality so much that they stayed for 13 nights and the hotel staff branded them the “Home Team.”

All in all, we were very proud of our team as they did a splendid job looking after our guests and we are glad to have made relationships that will outlive memories of the tournament. Our list of high profile guests continues to grow. First we have Obama, then we have FIFA selecting our hotels in Southern and Western Africa for their events... who’s next?

Elephant Hills Resort Awarded Prestigious ISO9001:2000 Certification

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 05:15:00 +0200

African Sun Limited owned Elephant Hills Resort was awarded with the prestigious ISO9001:2000 certification on Tuesday 03 November 2009. The journey towards certification began on 21 September 2006 followed by an initial audit on 10 December 2007 which culminated with the final audit on 16 March 2008. In his keynote address at the glamorous ceremony held at the hotel, the Acting General Manager Mr Nkosi Moyo said, ‘Since its official opening in 1993, the hotel has been working its way up in the ladder to create a sustainable quality brand that has weathered all storms and… the march to this Promised Land may I say hasn’t been a stroll in the park especially in the face of the memorable yester year’s macro-economic challenges and recent global financial crisis which had decreased the number of arrivals to the hotel”.



According to the General Manager, ‘ISO Certification was made possible through the hotel’s cooperation with local municipal authority [Victoria Falls Municipality] who have always supplied the hotel with safe, reliable and adequate water drinking water as well as timeous collection of refuse, the national power utility [ZESA] who also have also ensured the hotel electricity at all the times. Some of the distinguished guests present at the function were the Governor for Matabeleland North Province, Thokozile Mathuthu, The Mayor of the Resort Town of Victoria Falls, His Worship Cllr, Nkosilathi Jiyane, as well as t the Operations Manager for African Sun Zimbabwe, Mr Tich Hwingwiri. The hotel’s ISO consultant Mr Maseko and the Director General of Standards Association of Zimbabwe (SAZ) Mrs Eve Kadzikwa also graced the occasion.



Speaking at the same ceremony, the Standards Association of Zimbabwe (SAZ) Director General Eve Gadzikwa said, ‘The tourism sector has the potential to spur the country’s economy to be
the fastest growing in Africa between 2010 and beyond’. She went on to say that the hotel is now poised to take advantage of the revival of the global economy armed with the ISO 9001:2000 certification given that that the certificate is now firmly established as the globally accepted standard for providing assurance of the quality of goods and services in supplier-customer relations. Mrs Gadzikwa noted that more than a million ISO 901:2000 certificates were issued in 161 countries.



By being ISO 9001:2000 Certified, the hotel will need to work tirelessly to maintain the standard and ensure consistency in all its services in terms of food quality, service delivery, cleanliness and functionality of all amenities. With the 2010 Soccer World Cup in South Africa barely 8 months away, the likelihood of some soccer teams choosing to set up base in Victoria Falls is very high and it is against this background that the certification of this hotel puts the hotel in a very good position in terms of competitiveness and acceptance as a world class facility. The resort town is within the recommended one-and-a-half hours from Johannesburg by plane. The certificate is valid for three years, after which there will be a re-certification audit.

Nike Lake Delights New Zealand

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 10:36:00 +0200

New Zealand decided not to drive out of their Nike Lake Resort abode, settling to train at the Nike Lake make shift pitch at the hotel premises.

Dressed in All Black, the lads loosened up and did some ball work, and ended up at the swimming pool of the Nike Lake Resort.

Coach of the team, Steve Cain was full of optimism after the light training. "I'm optimistic my team will perform well when the tournament starts going by the calibre of players brought here".

Good, Better, Best

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 05:19:00 +0200

WHEN a hotel says it’s the best, I reserve judgment. When Travel & Leisure magazine votes it the Best Hotel in Johannesburg, I take note and investigate for myself. The Grace in Rosebank, especially for guests who are staying on the Club Floor and have the advantage of butler service, is among the finest hotels I have visited in the world.

There are only two negatives and only one of their own doing, but otherwise, this is a perfect hotel.

The shower cubicle is a little small and, not of their doing, the road systems in and around Rosebank now that the Gautrain development is underway are exacerbating for those of us who don’t know the way, to say the least.

Fortunately, one of the brilliant added-value offerings for all guests at The Grace is a complimentary chauffer service within 10 kilometers of the hotel so despite having a car, we took advantage of the pick up and drop off and enjoyed our night out ten-fold more not having to worry about traffic at night.

People will tell you that I’m spoiled. This I know. In fact, I was at my local pharmacy when Mr Mallach came up and told me a story that his daughter, with whom I was in junior school, tells at my expense.

I don’t remember the incident at all, but it seems true to form. When the teacher in grade three asked me to go and collect something I said, she and not I, should collect it.

I relate this because I am used to having superb service. I’m not one of these people who become bashful at the thought of someone serving me. What makes the service at The Grace beyond exceptional is not that they will do your bidding, but rather that they offer it without being asked. “May we shine your shoes”, butler Elijah says without even looking down at my mud-encrusted footwear; can we press your shirt; may we serve you a glass of wine with canapés; may we have your car washed? “May we make up your room”, he asked as we left for a jaunt around the adjoining Mall of Rosebank.

“Don’t worry”, I said, “we’ll be back soon and then we’ll check out.” When we got back, the room had been serviced. This level of bespoke service is what sophisticated travelers today crave, but we make do with large, corporate hotels where you’re more likely to find a jumble of airline staff or large group of deal-seekers.

The Grace is a premium product and is priced accordingly, but the added-value must also be considered when selecting another five-star product based on price alone. The kitchen is headed by Group Executive Chef Raymond Rundle and his team. The Dining Room’s menu is simple, elegant and contemporary. It is famed for its breakfast, which is just as I remember it from my last visit some years ago, (and the only spot offering oats with fresh cream and Drambuie).

If you’re in a hurry over lunch (and who isn’t nowadays) they’re offering a “Power Lunch” that allows corporate guests in the immediate area to be back in their offices within an hour (and a surprisingly inexpensive burger option!) The hotels meetings rooms have been branded “54 Bath Avenue” and are on the second floor, accommodating 12 to 200 people in one venue.

All guests have access to WiFi on the premises. Complimentary wireless internet is available in all rooms. In addition, internet points for Ethernet is also available for guests whose notebooks are not compatible with a wireless option.

By Brian Berkman
The Grace, Rosebank. 011-280-7200

Source: http://www.48hours.co.za/Brian_Berkman.html

The Grace Receives Top Ratings Again!

Tue, 05 May 2009 05:51:00 +0200

With uncompromising standards in excellence and service, the Grace in Rosebank has long been celebrated worldwide as one of the most distinguished hotels in Middle East and Africa. And now, on 10 April 2009, The Grace in Rosebank achieved their highest rating ever with one of the highest scores for a five star hotel in South Africa, grading them as one of the best once more.

FREE underground parking and valet service available.

Zeal Magazine

Mon, 16 Feb 2009 11:48:00 +0200

Zeal (standing for Zimbabwe Entertainment And Lifestyle) is a magazine crammed full of news items and features, covering everything from high fashion and international celebrities to men's health issues and saving the planet. And just about everything in between.

Please click on the link below to view the third edition of Zeal Magazine

http://www.africansuninvestor.com/reports/zeal.aspx

The Grace In Rosebank Voted Best Hotel in Johannesburg!

Fri, 23 Jan 2009 01:58:00 +0200

The Grace In Rosebank has been voted the best hotel in Johannesburg by the Travel and Leisure magazine. Not only that but Condé Nast has also voted The Grace In Rosebank the best hotel in Johannesburg!

This means that both important international publications (Travel and Leisure and Condé Nast Traveller) have voted The Grace as the Best Hotel in Johannesburg in the same year.

However, these are not the only awards that The Grace has received. Below is a complete list of achievements and awards for The Grace In Rosebank:

Travel & Leisure (USA) ‘World’s Best Hotels’ in Johannesburg 2007
Travel + Leisure (USA) Best of the Best 2006.
Best business hotel in Africa by Travel + Leisure in 2004.
Third best hotel in Africa and the Middle East for service, by Condé Nast Traveler USA, 2003 Reader’s choice Awards.
Top 100 restaurants by Wine Magazine for three successive years.
Ranked in the Top 10 in Africa and the Middle East by Condé Nast Traveler 2006
Top 10 Africa/Middle East Hotels - Condé Nast Traveler Reader's Choice 2005
The Grace in Rosebank voted one of the top three "Best Hotels in Africa" by Condé Nast (USA) Traveler Awards - October 2004
Travel and Leisure Magazine August 2004 – The World’s Best Awards – voted 61st in The World and 13th in Africa and The Middle East
Voted one of the Tourism Leaders of Johannesburg – Johannesburg Tourism Company – February 2004
Best of Johannesburg – 2003 Condé Nast House and Garden Hotlist
Diners Club Winelist of The Year Awards – Merit Award 2000, 2001 Platinum Award 2002, 2003
One of Diners Club Top 100 Restaurants in SA for the last 4 years
Top 100 Hotels Worldwide, Top 15 Africa and Middle East, Best Business Hotel in Africa and Middle East, Best Hotel in Johannesburg – Travel & Leisure – January 2004
Gold list – 8th Countrywide – Condé Nast Gold List 2004
Top Hotel in Johannesburg – Travel & Trade Gazette (UK) 2003
Top 10 Africa and Middle East – Condé Nast Readers Choice 2003
Top 10 Africa and Middle East – Condé Nast Readers Choice 2002
Menu of The Year – Professional Caterer and Hotelkeeper – Winner in Upmarket / Fine Dining category for our Dinner Menu – March 2001 “…simple, elegant and contemporary, in both look and structure…”
Top 100 hotels worldwide, top 100 Africa & Middle East and 3rd worldwide for service – Condé Nast Readers Choice Awards 2001
Best Petite Conference Venue – Venue Finders 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003
Voted SA’s Best Luxury City Hotel – AA Travel Guide and Accommodation Awards 1999
Voted South Africa’s best luxury city hotel – SAA 1999
Gold achiever – AA Accommodation Awards 1999
Travel and Leisure Magazine August 2004 - The World's Best Awards - voted 61st in The World and 13th in Africa and The Middle East
Condé Nast Gold List 2005 – highest score in Jhb (89.3), score of 95.1 for rooms, score of 97.6 for service, 97.6 for food (best in Africa and The Middle East).
Condé Nast Gold List 2008 - highest score in Jhb (81.9)
Fodor's Choice 2008

Diners Club Card no longer accepted in Zimbabwe

Fri, 16 Jan 2009 03:49:00 +0200

It is with regret that we inform you that Diners Club Cards will no longer be accepted in any Zimbabwean establishment. This is the official statement: "New trading requirements in Africa Due to constant market challenges regarding risk, Diners Club reviewed its card processing procedures to ensure a safer transacting environment. The manual paper vouchers will no longer be accepted for processing in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Angola, Mozambique, Malawi and Zambia. Do also note that we cease to trade in Zimbabwe. As from 1 January 2009, the new e-mail billing settlement process will be implemented, and the Diners Club card transactions deposited at your branch for processing will no longer be accepted." Please see: http://www.dinersclub.co.za/pages/merchants/mer_afri_rep.php

The Grace Club Floor

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 00:57:00 +0200

The Grace In Rosebank is proud to offer a further value-added facility: the Club Floor, which is situated on the 5th floor of the hotel. The Club Floor is geared towards guests wishing to experience closer personal service which includes priority booking during peak times, VIP room check in, 18 hour butler service, a complimentary night cap, a gift from The Grace Collection, exclusive use of the 5th floor lounge and more.

Please see The Grace In Rosebank for more information on this fabulous hotel.