The famous Golden Horse Casino is the only casino in South Africa with its own horse race course, Scottsville.
As you waltz inside the complex, the Southern Sun Pietermaritzburg Hotel you’re confronted by three gold painted horses a sign of a wonderful experience which awaits YOU!
According to our hosts, this simplifies seamless entertainment, leisure and hospitality.
We were part of a media contingent which traveled to the KZN to acquaint ourselves with the new developments which the hotel has embarked upon.
The multi-million rand upgrade and refurbishment now indicates a new era for the hotel as a four-graded star property of Southern Sun, which is another Tsogo Sun initiative.
Part of the new beginnings is upmarket coffee shop and restaurant simply coined Vigour & Verve.
Complemented by young, bubbly and ambitious staff members-whom some are full time students at varsities and colleges- the restaurant is testament to its naming.
And ‘my man of the moment’ the Chef belted-out his favourites dishes –too many to mention-upon arrival until wee hours of the morning, whose fiancé after checking-in gave us a breathtaking, welcome massage. Aha!
Says Arisha Stanley, General Manager of the Golden Horse Hotel: “A refreshed, cosmopolitan experience awaits guests at our hotel, with a new look and feel, a new welcoming and convenient restaurant, and all the modern amenities that business and leisure visitors expect from a four star hotel.
“This is of course combined with the high standard of hospitality and quality accommodation that is renowned at all Southern Sun Hotels. As part of Tsogo Sun’s family we can provide greater benefits, and ensure that we offer the premium level of service expected by discerning guests,” commented Stanley.
The installation of free WiFi; a new Guest Business Centre, a new entrance and aesthetic changes to the rooms, mini bar fridge and 26 TV channels, will appeal to discerning travelers-cum guests.
On the menu is a range of delectable fresh salads, scrumptious sandwiches with delectable fillings, spruced-up burgers, pizzas, succulent steaks and fish dishes. The juicy pulled lamb sandwich, bolstered with feta, caramelized onion, and tzaziki, which is popular with locals during lunchtime diners.
While the signature butter chicken, with papadam, pickles and cucumber raita, is the ultimate in comfort food, Vigour & Verve also features a Harvest Table, decked with tantalizing selection of freshly-baked breads, muffins, cakes and desserts.
Talking of muffins a ‘journo’ whose identity will be kept secret for now had a tummy full of muffins as he kept doing rounds time and again. Stru!
Golden Horse Hotel features 96, including a presidential suite, three suites, and two disabled rooms; refurbished conference facilities catering for 300 people and an outdoor swimming pool. Ok, the less said about the pool the better…
“We love it here because it’s peaceful and we tend to meet all kinds of people,” says one staff member, who refused to identify herself for fear of reprisal.
Tsogo Sun has been overtaking and refurbishing underperforming hotels throughout the country, although releasing the book value has been impossible.
Yes, take a Sho’t Left to KZN like we did and also visit the historical Nelson Mandela Capture Monument in Howick.
Meanwhile, Tsogo Sun’s InterContinental Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport Hotel and the Palazzo, Montecasino hotel each received a coveted World Travel Award at the 2013 World Travel Awards ceremony, held last month.
