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Cape Town gets 'dry' luxury hotel

4 June 2008

A new five-star hotel under construction in Cape Town, the Coral International, will target Middle Eastern visitors, offering them luxurious rooms, conferencing and prayer facilities, halaal cuisine and no alcohol on the premises.

The Dubai-based Coral International Hotels, Resorts and Spas and Cii Holdings, their South African partners, will operate the Coral International, which is situated on the corner of Buitengracht and Wale Street in the city centre.

In a statement last week, local real estate agency Pam Golding Properties said they had also won the exclusive mandate to market 30 out of the 140 luxurious rooms and suites - priced between R2.1-million and R5.8-million - for sectional title ownership.

"The Coral International will be situated on the fringes of the historic Bo-Kaap, an area steeped in Cape Malay culture and renowned for its colourful homes and delicious cuisine," said Pam Golding Western Cape MD Laurie Wener, adding that it was an exciting opportunity to purchase ownership in a luxury unit in an enviable location.

The location is also just minutes away from the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront and Table Mountain, while it is only a short drive to the beaches of the Atlantic Seaboard, as well as the central city's coffee shops, restaurants and craft markets.

State-of-the-art facilities

All rooms will feature top-end amenities such as high-speed wireless broadband connectivity, plasma screen televisions and luxurious linens, and all will offer stunning views of Table Mountain.

Hotel facilities will include a state-of-the-art business centre with conference and meeting facilities, a fully fitted gym and health centre, as well as a prayer room and an outdoor swimming pool.

The hotel will also have three restaurants offering a range of cuisines from modern European to Arabic and African dishes, with all food will be halaal and no alcohol being served on the premises.

Buyers opting for the sectionalised package will receive a sectional title deed enabling them to use their rooms for 30 days per year, with access to all hotel facilities including room service and housekeeping, including limousine pick-ups, and a 24-hour concierge and valet.

For the remainder of the year, the room will be placed into the hotel rental pool, and owners will receive a share of the profits, with Cii Holdings guaranteeing a five percent return on investment after the first two years of operation, for a minimum of three years.

Ideally located

Wener added that the hotel would be just a 20-minute drive away from the Cape Town International Airport, enabling it to offer high levels of service, guided by its international owners who have extensive experience in the luxury hospitality industry.

"This makes it an ideal investment opportunity for those who travel frequently to Cape Town for business and leisure, or for corporate clients who host guests in the city on a regular basis," she said.

Construction is already underway, with completion expected by the end of 2009.

SAinfo reporter