After 30 years in the sun, the once-glamorous Sun City Hotel was looking a little tired and wrinkly. But a R260-million renovation has restored its splendour.
The facelift took two years - 170 rooms were upgraded by February 2007, and now work has been completed on the rest of the rooms, the public areas, conference venue, the Sun Terrace and kitchen.
It's been a thorough overhaul, from the light fixtures down to the tiles and carpets.
"The hotel was in need of modernisation and now it has a cutting-edge look that brings in touches of Africa's exotic heritage, yet with a more timeless and classical effect," said general manager Joe Kentgens.
Guests will still be greeted by the bold jungle fever theme in the reception area, which also houses the hotel's centre core. The slots in the gaming area are still there, but disco lovers might be saddened to know that the Harlequins Disco has been turned into a cafe.
The guest rooms, which all boast flat-screen televisions, are a blend of warm red and brown hues. Guests can prepare tea and coffee on granite countertops above the mini bar.
The standard twin rooms now have an interleading option, a door separating two rooms, for large families to share. The bathrooms have separate showers and Edwardian-style baths.
The hotel's kitchen, which whips up all meals for room service, the pool, bars, Sun Terrace, Calabash Restaurant and the Letsatsi conference centre, was also redone at a cost of R20-million. It's now the best production kitchen in Africa, and may also be the most energy-efficient, as many power-saving features and technologies have been introduced.
Kentgens promised that the newly designed room service kitchen was "like having a chef and butler in your room".
It's easy to trust that the food chain will flow smoothly. The hotel's service is top notch. On two occasions - getting lost in the maze, and then struggling to open a bottle of mineral water - personnel seemed to materialise from nowhere to offer to help me.
The Sun Terrace, known for its breakfast and lunch buffets, has new cane tables and chairs, and the buffet area has been rebuilt.
Guests who visit for business will also get a sense of something new. The hotel's conference venues, which are located in the Letsasi Centre on the ground level, have new facilities for training sessions, boardroom discussions and seminars, and boast Wi-fi internet access, 150 phone lines and the latest audiovisual gear.
Entertainment seekers will be happy to know that the Superbowl is still living up to its reputation. During the weekend I stayed at the Sun City Hotel, the Temptations Review filled the entertainment centre with nostalgic thrill. Young and old sang along to the classic tunes while others let their hair down on the dance floor.
After 30 years of hospitality - it opened its doors on December 7, 1979 - the Sun City Hotel has its groove back.