LOSE YOURSELF AT

The Palace of the Lost City

For nearly 30 years, The Palace of the Lost City at Sun City has captured hearts and imaginations. Join Meetings magazine as we understand what sets this gem aside.

Tucked away in the North West province of South Africa is the Sun City Resort – one of the country’s most iconic and popular venues. After opening in 1979, it quickly grew in popularity as a venue for hosting getaway conferences and major events, in addition to being one of the few places South Africans could legally gamble until 1994.

On the back of this success, in December 1992, The Palace of the Lost City opened its doors to the public, further cementing Sun City’s position as a leading hospitality provider that continues to leave an indelible impression on anyone who has ever been fortunate enough to have visited it.

Sol Kerzner was the visionary behind the Lost City concept, which includes The Palace of the Lost City, a golf course designed by Gary Player and the Valley of Waves, among other unique features. When it first launched in 1992, it immediately attracted local attention; with

Acting Minister of Health Mmamoloko Kubayi following her vaccination at Sun City

85 000 m3 of cement poured and a 25-hectare jungle, nothing quite as grand or sizeable had ever been constructed within the borders of South Africa.

The Lost City is every bit as intriguing as it was intended to be and, as the story goes, it was “inspired by the myth of a lost African kingdom… Fabled to be the royal residence of an ancient king, the grand proportions and graceful towers of The Palace are enhanced by sculptural detail, mosaics, frescoes and fountains, and nestled in an enchanting setting of an exotic jungle, complete with murmuring streams and gushing waterfalls.”

PALACE OF DREAMS

The Palace of the Lost City is the jewel of Sun City and is as impressive as it is massive. Since opening its doors, it has hosted VIPs, celebrities and international dignitaries, and a stay at the uber-luxe The Palace remains one of the most sought-after accommodation experiences in South Africa.

It is immediately clear from driving down to the entrance of the five-star hotel that luxury awaits. Guests are warmly greeted as their luggage is placed on trolleys ready to be taken up to their rooms after they check in, while their vehicles are driven down to the basement parking.

LOST CITY FAST FACTS

• The Lost City was conceptualised in 1989 and took 28 months to complete. • 5 000 people were part of the construction that laid 30 million bricks and 15 000 custom pieces of precast concrete. • There are 75 000 m of electrical wiring throughout The Palace with 6 500 light fittings including the over 5 m x 4.2 m chandelier in the Crystal Court. • The King’s Tower, at 70 m, is the tallest of the 10 Palace towers. • The 25-hectare jungle is its own unique biome that is home to 3 200 species of plants, trees and shrubs. Three quarters of the plants are indigenous to Southern Africa, and others were sourced from countries such as Madagascar and the Comoros.

The bronze sable antelope fountain featured among neat flower beds on either side, heavy wooden doors, marble finishings, a crystal chandelier and the intricate wildlife tapestry that adorns The Palace reception make for an opulent display that is sure to let anyone know that this isn’t a typical hotel stay.

Luxury fittings and attention to detail aside, what makes The Palace so special is its remarkable service. From Siphiwe Mbele, who does turn-down each evening, to Francois du Toit, head of guest relations, staff working at The Palace are dedicated to serving guests’ every need.

ACTIVITIES GALORE

Those who are seeking an outdoor adventure are spoilt for choice with things to do at Sun City.

With a zip slide that goes up to a speed of 120 km per hour, as well as the largest permanent maze structure in the southern hemisphere – accessible only via a 90 m suspension bridge – it is clear to see why thrillseekers are keen to go to Sun City.

In addition to its exhilarating attractions, it is home to Africa’s only inland beach – the Valley of Waves. With several high-speed slides, an enormous wave pool and a relaxing lazy river ride, it is any water enthusiast’s dream.

And for wildlife aficionados, the Pilanesberg National Park & Game Reserve is not to be missed. The biodiverse area sits atop an extinct volcano and, in addition to over 7 000 animals and 300 bird species, it is home to the big five.

ALL PROTOCOLS OBSERVED

The implementation of stringent health and safety protocols across the entirety of the Sun City premises ensures that the venue can keep all guests and staff safe. Before entering the gates of the property, sanitisation, screening and temperature checks are done to ensure those entering are well. In addition to the clear signposting throughout Sun City that requests patrons to wear masks, wash hands and respect social distancing measures, health and safety ambassadors are designated to be present in very busy areas to remind people to adhere to the measures in place. This is done either with a whistle or by waving a sign to get the attention of people who appear not to be following these protocols.

“We have invested a lot in the training of our staff,” notes Lwazi Mswelanto, SHE manager for Sun City, who asserts that the strength of Sun City’s protocols is underpinned by its staff.

“The guests’ confidence will always start with how they see them perform their duties and the measures they take to ensure compliance,” he says.

In July, Sun City became the first hospitality venue to open a vaccination centre in South Africa. To date, the Moses Kotane Mass Vaccination Site has vaccinated 3 500 staff, guests and members of the community from the Moses Kotane District, including other resorts and hotels within the area.

The challenge is to get people to commit to the idea of blowing the customer away by giving them an experience ahead of what they expect.”

Hotel magnate Sol Kerzner on keeping guests intrigued