Cape Town, 13 August 2010: Prior to the World Cup, the hospitality industry was inundated with negative publicity as a result of a perceived over-supply of accommodation, with its post-World Cup viability being called into question. The harsh post-recession economic climate has certainly hit in the industry hard, but it is showing definite signs of recovery, with African Pride Hotels leading the push to make substantial investments into the sector.

African Pride Hotels, Protea Hotel’s superior deluxe brand, continues to add luxury hotels to its portfolio, demonstrating a firm confidence in the state of the luxury hotel market in the country.  Danny Bryer, Group Sales and Marketing Director for the Protea Hospitality Group (PHG), which includes African Pride Hotels, said that the expansion of the African Pride Hotels’ footprint demonstrated the company’s confidence in the luxury hospitality industry in South Africa. “We have absolute faith in the performance of our African Pride Hotels portfolio, which is why we are taking the strategic decision to continue to expand the brand. African Pride Hotels is performing well and in a position to grow because we don’t trade on luxury as our ultimate selling point. One has to differentiate through providing unique selling points, exceptional service standards and most importantly an incredible guest experience. The hotels in the African Pride Hotels portfolio deliver all of these things and more to our guests.”

The hotel chain recently added the popular 5 star Irene Country Lodge, located just 20 minutes from OR Tambo airport, to their ever-growing stable. Bryer said he was confident the addition of Irene Country Lodge, which offers stylish accommodation, world class facilities and a new wellness centre and spa, would only add value to the African Pride Hotels collection.

Irene Country Lodge, is a unique country style getaway with old rustic charm providing guests with a haven of peace and tranquillity in the hub of South Africa’s economic heartland. All 73 en suite rooms have been gracefully designed in variations of English Country Manor style with stately wooden furniture and rich fabrics. The Lodge offers every creature-comfort a guest could want, including 24-hour room service, wireless internet access, direct telephone dialing, DSTV satellite television, mini bars, 16 Hour restaurant services plus an unmatched environment. Irene Country Lodge joined the African Pride Hotels portfolio on the 1st July 2010. 

In the past year, African Pride Hotels has also opened two groundbreaking developments in Cape Town - the stylishly sophisticated 15 on Orange Hotel in the CBD and the iconic Crystal Towers Hotel & Spa in the ever-growing Century City.

15 on Orange Hotel, situated on the border of Cape Town’s historic Company’s Gardens, is the ultimate statement in design led lifestyle hospitality.  Individual design, exquisite luxury and first class service make way for a superior guest experience. This dramatic hotel offers 129 exquisite, ultra-spacious suites, which are appropriate for leisure seekers and astute business travellers alike. Unparalleled public areas such as the 7 story atrium, a spa, the Judges Lounge, Savour Restaurant and the Murano Bar  -  a few of its many features – will definitely be absorbed and appreciated by the discerning guest desiring an opulent experience beyond the norm.

Located in the heart of the Century City urban hub, Crystal Towers Hotel & Spa is settled beside a palm-lined canal, and boasts views that stretch out towards the majestic Table Mountain. 
Cascading curtains of fibre optic light and a carpet studded with starlight beckon guests as they step into the foyer. The hotel is the perfect destination for the discerning business traveller with its unique bedrooms and stellar convention and conferencing facilities, and is located less than 20 minutes away from Cape Town’s CBD and the international airport.

These two iconic Cape Town hotels compliment the chic Melrose Arch Hotel which has become an international destination in its own right, attracting those discerning guests who take pleasure in modern elegance and sophistication whilst being located in the exclusive urban Melrose Arch precinct in Johannesburg.  

As Africa grows in popularity as a destination of choice for discerning tourists from around the world, the demand for first-class service and superior luxury steadily increases. African Pride Hotels was established with the sole purpose of meeting that demand and extending the understanding and experience of five-star hotel accommodation in Southern Africa. The African Pride Hotels collection of hotels, lodges and country houses is distinctly different and unquestionably superior. As the name implies, African Pride Hotels embodies the proud spirit of Africa, combined with a passion for service and a commitment to excellence.

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