Construction World March 2019

PROJECTS & CONTRACTS

NEW BLOEMFONTEIN HOTEL OPENING IN 2019

Premier Hotels & Resorts continues to cement its presence as one of the fastest growing, independently owned hotel chains in South Africa. Starting off with a humble 40 bedrooms, the group now boasts over 2 000 bedrooms, with properties in almost all of the major cities in South Africa and plans to expand and add 13 new hotels to their portfolio over the next 5 years.

A s part of that expansion, the popular hotel group is currently busy with construction on the new Splendid Inn Bloemfontein, which is scheduled to open its doors in the next few months. The hotel chain has 18 properties nationwide and four sub-brands that fall under Premier Hotels & Resorts, namely: Premier Resorts, Premier Hotels, Splendid Inns by Premier and Express Inns by Premier. This year the hotel chain announced its R90-million expansion plan, with a key component being increasing its national footprint to Bloemfontein. Affectionately known as the city of roses, Bloemfontein’s centrality was a massive draw card for Samuel Nassimov, the hotel chain’s founder and Managing Director. Located at the halfway mark between most of the country’s major cities, Nassimov explains that investing in the area fits seamlessly into the groups strategy, “our long-term plan is to increase our

presence in all key cities across South Africa and this is another step in the right direction for us”. Situated on the site of what was previously the Stanville Hotel at 85 Zastron Street, the new hotel is in close proximity to government departments, sport stadiums, as well as landmarks like the National Museum and Supreme Court of Appeal. Since the construction of the new hotel, over 360 construction jobs have been created while 65 permanent staff will be employed to manage the operations of the new hotel. The first phase of refurbishment will be completed in January 2019 while the final phase is set to be done by February 2019. The Splendid Inn Bloemfontein The new hotel will form part of the group’s popular and affordable Splendid Inn portfolio, one of four sub-brands that fall under Premier

Hotels & Resorts. You can expect the same level of luxury, convenience and impeccable service that has become part of the hotel groups DNA. With 88 bedrooms, a restaurant, rooftop function area, lounge, business centre and conference facilities capable of accommodating up to 150 delegates, it provides an ideal setting for the business and leisure travel. Next on the agenda for the popular hotel group is the construction of two brand new hotels in Umhlanga. The Group’s R380-million investment in the region will result in a 4-star Premier Hotel as well as a 3-star Splendid Inn by Premier which is scheduled to be completed in November 2019. 

28

CONSTRUCTION WORLD MARCH 2019