Sun City Resort kicked off their 40th Birthday Celebration with a BANG, and we were there to give you all the details.
On the 4th of April 2019, a select few were invited for the launch party of the celebrations to come. Where to begin? Well after arrival, we were served campaign whilst we were given our room keys. Escorted by the lovely bell man, we went to our exquisite room that was on the 7th of the Cascades in the resort. After some much needed down time with cocktails and entertainment watching a few monkeys enjoyably visit some of the hotel residents through their windows, it was time to get ready.
The theme being "African Extravaganza" I got my Rwandan skirt on with my South African themed shirt. Just before it was party time, Red wine along with nuts and fruit was delivered to the room, compliments of Sun City. ( I mean Speak about spoilt) The guests were then escorted down to SoHo where Sun City's premium Night Club, Encore, where we were served welcome drinks and canapes.
The spoils didn't stop there, as soon as the proceedings began, we were all treated with amazing dances from different genres, all pertaining to different African styles throughout the years. ( Which in my opinion, correlates fantastically with the diversity Sun City offers.)
We were treated to a delicious buffet dinner which consisted of Salads, Rice, Chicken, Lamb, Potato Salad, Sushi and for dessert, MAGNUM Ice Cream ( MY FAV)
After a short presentation and dinner, the dance floor was open, and boy did we dance. It was fantastic, everyone just danced together, from all walks of life, we were there to celebrate the achievement of unity, diversity and success.
Below are some fun facts about Sun City:
⦁ Sun International’s icon Sun City resort was opened on a hot December day in 1979.
⦁ The resort was developed by Sol Kerzner as part of his Sun International group of properties in the then Bophuthatswana. For the first time, South Africans were exposed to the previously forbidden delights of showgirls and risqué topless extravaganza dancers and the exhilaration and glamour of gambling. The Sun City Casino was the first in South Africa to introduce the concept of million Rand jackpots.
⦁ The United Nations had imposed a cultural boycott on South Africa in condemnation of apartheid. Several international artists were invited to perform at the Sun City Superbowl, bringing some of the world’s most celebrated artists within the reach of South Africans. Amongst those who graced the stage at Sun City were Queen, The Beach Boys, Rod Stewart and Frank Sinatra
⦁ After just a year, Sun City had attracted more than 300,000 visitors to the Extravaganza and theatre shows alone, and had secured more international visitors to the Pilanesberg in 12 months than had visited the entire country in the same period.
⦁ Dubbed the ‘pleasure palace’ soon after its opening, Sun City was further developed to include The Cabanas (1981), The Cascades (1984) and The Palace (1992)
⦁ Sun City was re-incorporated in the new South Africa in 1994.
⦁ Once the gaming mecca of Southern Africa, Sun City’s focus now emphasizes the “African experience” following gaming concessions that have been awarded for in-city casinos elsewhere in the country
Accommodation Facts
The Palace – 336 rooms
⦁ The Palace of the Lost City which stands within the remnants of a volcanic crater that erupted one million years ago was inspired by an ancient myth of an African kingdom that was lost to the jungle surrounding it.
⦁ Most of the work to establish the jungle around The Palace of the Lost City was completed in two years by a dedicated team of 440 gardeners and, during that time, over 1.6-million plants were given root, including 6 000 fully-grown trees.
⦁ When landscaping for the momentous project got underway, four primary micro-environments were envisioned – a tropical rainforest, wetlands, a coastal vegetation area, and an arid bushveld section to border the golf course and merge with the natural indigenous landscape of the neighbouring Pilanesberg Game Reserve. The 25-hectare jungle was ready by late-1992, having cost R25 million.
⦁ Nothing like this has ever been created in Africa. The rainforest features a 40m-high jacaranda canopy with another level of trees underneath it, primarily red beeches and fluted milkwoods. Exotic orchids grow off trunks and branches and dangle from above, while the microclimate is intensified by numerous water channels, waterfalls and streams.
⦁ The jungle features 3 200 species of plants, shrubs and trees – more than twice what's found in Kruger National Park.
Cascades Hotel – 241 rooms
⦁ The Cascades hotel was constructed in 1984 at a cost of R50-million. Today, its lush botanical gardens cover an area of 55,000 sqm.
⦁ The waterscape covers 7,740 sqm and includes three swimming pools, 12 waterfalls and cataracts and 1,050 m of low weirs. Water is circulated at 8,314 cubic meters per hour by 45 pumps.
Soho Hotel – 340 rooms
⦁ The main hotel, the famous Sun City Hotel, was reimagined as part of the resort’s upgrade. Now Soho, the hotel encapsulates the essence of the renowned Soho destinations located in London and New York which are known for their eclectic vibe and non-stop action. A 24-hour Las Vegas styled party zone, Soho boasts new night clubs, restaurants as well as the casino.
⦁ The previous Sun City Theatre inside Soho has been transformed, now comprising a bar called Vibes and Encore, a modern dance venue.
⦁ Sun City Casino, within Soho, has evolved with the times and the latest technology and popular games combine in a spectacle of round-the-clock thrills for both experienced and first-time gamers. Recently refurbished, the Sun City Casino features hundreds of exciting slot machines and over 40 popular table games.
Cabanas – 380 rooms
⦁ Sun City’s three-star Cabanas hotel underwent a dramatic refurbishment which includes an upgrade of the guest rooms, reception area and restaurant. This was the first major refurbishment of the hotel since 2007 when the rooms were restyled to mark the hotel’s 25th anniversary.
⦁ The Cabanas has an isald-style vibe and overlooks the picturesque lakeside with direct access to the abundant tropical gardens and Water World.
⦁ The refreshed guest rooms reflect the crisp, clean and laid-back ambience of the Cabanas hotel, which provides a launch pad for guests’ adventures at Sun City.
Watch the video below for the VLOG of the event
#TheBig40
No comments:
Post a Comment