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Knysna hotel joins Hilton Worldwide

29 June 2012

One of South Africa's leading resorts, Pezula Resort Hotel & Spa, is set to join the luxury portfolio of Conrad Hotels & Resorts - part of the Hilton Worldwide brand - following the signing of a management agreement this week with resort owners, Alderney Establishment.

Conrad Pezula Resort Hotel & Spa, which is expected to re-brand in November, is located in Knysna in the Western Cape.

"We sought an internationally recognised brand that matches our strategy to provide world-class facilities and service," Keith Stewart of Alderney Establishment said in a statement on Wednesday.

"Conrad's established global credentials makes for a compelling partnership and will help us to deliver a truly exceptional guest experience."

Global head of luxury and lifestyle brands for Hilton Worldwide, John Vanderslice, agreed: "By combining Conrad's signature style and service standards with such a superior resort property and location, we will create an exceptional and memorable guest experience.

"For 25 years, Conrad has epitomised the definition of smart luxury, and our arrival in South Africa represents a key milestone in the brand's ongoing global expansion," Vanderslice said.

Hilton Worldwide owns three other hotels in South Africa: the Hilton Sandton in Johannesburg, the Hilton Durban and the Hilton Cape Town.

'A valuable addition to Hilton portfolio'

The Pezula resort offers sweeping views of Knysna lagoon and the Indian Ocean and also features an abundance of amenities for hotel guests. This includes a championship golf course and a "Field of Dreams" sports complex - boasting four tennis courts, archery, a sports oval and golf range.

Guests can also enjoy horse riding, nature trails through the estate's indigenous forest, canoe trips on the clear waters of the Noetzie River, as well as the peaceful seclusion of Noetzie's exclusive beach, recently voted one of the top three beaches in South Africa.

"I'm very excited at the prospect of our luxury Conrad brand making its debut in South Africa with such an outstanding and well known resort property," said Hilton Worldwide's senior vice-president of development in Europe and Africa, Patrick Fitzgibbon.

"Conrad Pezula Resort & Spa will be a valuable addition to our growing international hotel portfolio and helps to underline our position as one of the leading hospitality providers in the continent."

The hotel will host 78 stylish suites housed in detached villas and five larger, architecturally designed family villas, linked by short landscaped pathways to the main building.

One unique addition to the resort accommodation is Pezula's award-winning private castle, built into the cliff face and overlooking Noetzie Beach. It has been described as one of the most exclusive destinations in Africa.

Further guest amenities at Pezula include executive boardrooms, a business centre, a spa and health club, and the hotel's main restaurant, Zachary's - which is a winner of 12 different awards and also features one of the area's largest wine cellars.

SAinfo reporter