Says Peter Bruil, a director of PGLAG (Pam Golding Lodges and Guesthouses – a member of Pam Golding Hospitality): “There’s no doubt that the huge boost in exposure for South Africa during this event is drawing increasing global interest in our hospitality establishments. During the past several weeks we’ve been extremely busy showing various establishments to Chinese investors from Hong Kong as well as French investors visiting Cape Town and the Winelands during France’s participation in the World Cup. In addition, we’re seeing a significant increase in enquiries from German, English and Dutch investors from overseas, who continue to contact us during this event.”

The concerted focus of attention on South Africa, coupled with a number of successful sales recently concluded in the marketplace via the auction method, has prompted PGLAG to take to auction on 21 July (2010) an exceptional 5-Star guesthouse in Franschhoek – Le Manoir de Brendel spa and wine estate – and two attractive, well-situated guesthouses in Hermanus which are operating as going concerns.

Says Joop Demes, CEO of Pam Golding Hospitality: “The interest and success that was achieved with the recent auction of the 4-Star, 24 bedroom La Splendida boutique hotel in Cape Town, which was sold for R28.6 million, has demonstrated that for certain hospitality properties the auction process is a great opportunity to expose a desirable property to the widest possible audience in the shortest possible time frame. Within the hospitality industry the auction method does not achieve results for propositions which are highly yield dependent, however this process works very well for properties that are uniquely suited to an audience specifically seeking a certain type of acquisition, namely lifestyle combined with some commercial angle.”

Says Bruil: “La Splendida had been on the market for some nine months and had many interested parties considering a purchase. It was logical that this was brought to a successful conclusion by accelerating the process on behalf of a foreign owner by exposing it to the broadest possible target market through an auction which delivered an instant result and at a good, market-related price, and it was purchased by a Cape Town consortium.”

Other establishments recently sold by PGLAG include a 4-Star, 35-room boutique hotel in Cape Town’s City Bowl area sold close to the asking price of R40 million to the first buyer they introduced - a consortium comprising South African and European investors. The company also sold a 10-bedroom boutique guesthouse in Cape Town’s Southern Suburbs to a Swiss couple.

Says Bruil: “We have specially chosen the period during the World Cup to auction Le Manoir de Brendel and the two Hermanus guesthouses to enable overseas visitors to view the properties and participate in the auction while they are here. In 2008 Le Manoir de Brendel was a finalist in the category ‘B&B Guest House Style – Large’ in the AA Travel Guides American Express Accommodation Awards. Producing its own wine under its own label, this establishment is in a scenic setting with spectacular mountain views in the heart of Franschhoek’s world-renowned Winelands.”

The property includes a spa, 10 luxury guest suites, owner’s cottage, restaurant, swimming pool, tennis court, gymnasium, wine tasting venue, boutique shop and chapel and has ample secure parking for guests as well as a walking trail. The appealing chapel is situated in the picturesque vineyards bordering a dam and is popular for weddings. The grape varieties currently under vine are Shiraz, Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chenin Blanc, Merlot, Pinotage and Chardonnay. Le Manoir de Brendel consists of two farms totalling approximately 30 hectares, with one farm allowing for further development.

Adds Bruil: “These three hospitality establishments offer a lifestyle many people dream about. In recent years propositions such as these have attracted many foreign investors as well as those relocating from elsewhere in the country to the Western Cape. The two guesthouses in Hermanus are tailor made for those seeking a new lifestyle or early retirement; affordable and with an interesting commercial component yielding a steady income.

“Franschhoek and Hermanus both enjoy occupancies higher than most other Western Cape country destinations for a variety of reasons. Franschhoek is renowned for its natural beauty, cultural appeal, world class restaurants and numerous festivals (11) held throughout the year. Most notable is the Bastille Festival, held in winter. Hermanus is an appealing coastal hamlet, popular among domestic and international visitors, and with the benefit of the arrival of the whales in July – some two to three months before other areas are able to attract significant traffic.”

Together with various other commercial properties, these three establishments go on auction on Wednesday 21 July 2010 at Summer Place, 69 Melville Road, Hyde Park, with registration from 11am and the auction commencing at 12 noon.