SIMPIWE PILISO

THREE months after throwing “the party of the decade” a $20-million star-studded fiesta for the opening of his 1539-room hotel in Dubai South Africa’s Sun King, Sol Kerzner, is planning another.

The 73-year-old hotel and casino tycoon this week said the grand opening of the Tower Marina, a R1-billion hotel resort development at the marina on Cape Town’s Waterfront, was scheduled for April.

Completion of the development — which includes the Tower Marina’s 92 suites, linked by bridges to two man made islands that will house 40 villas and a 1200m² spa — is four months ahead of schedule.

Speaking to Business Times from the Bahamas this week, Kerzner said his team had initially planned to complete construction and open for business in July.

“But, during my last visit over Christmas, we went through every detail at great length and agreed we could open ahead of schedule.

“I’m keen to open the resort while the weather is still perfect,” he said.

Kerzner, who serves as both chairman and chief executive of Kerzner International, said it was very unusual for a development of this size to be completed ahead of schedule.

“We’ve broken a record in development by completing One&Only Cape Town (Tower Marina) more than four months ahead of the original schedule and are delighted that we will have it open for the Easter holidays.”

He said the resort was already accepting reservations and expected the first guests in by April 3.

Kerzner said the spectacular function that he planned to throw at the official opening in April would be a “one and only experience”.

“We’re still working out a few details, but we have to be careful about the number of people we invite due to the scope and size of the venue.”

Kerzner was optimistic that both international and local guests would flock to his resort once it was up and running.

“We have started marketing in the UK, US and Middle East . and the resort will attract both holiday makers and business tourists,” he said.

Asked about the impact of the global credit crisis on the building costs of his development, Kerzner said costs had moved “just north of (the projected) R1-billion”.

However, he added: “We had anticipated this.”

The hotel is the first that Kerzner has built in SA since the Palace of the Lost City in the Pilanesberg in 1992.

The Johannesburg-born tycoon said his latest development was the sixth ultra-luxury resort within the One&Only Group.

The others are situated in the Maldives, Mauritius, Dubai, Bahamas and Mexico.

Source: Business Times