Brussels/Cape Town – February 4, 2020 – Radisson Hotel Group is proud to announce the signing of its first Radisson branded hotel in South Africa, the Radisson Safari Hotel Hoedspruit. Radisson is Radisson Hotel Group’s fourth brand and 13th hotel to open in South Africa. This achievement brings Radisson Hotel Group’s African portfolio to almost 100 hotels in operation and under development.
Centrally located 2 kilometers outside the town of Hoedspruit, Radisson Safari Hotel Hoedspruit offers guests the chance to explore renowned tourist destinations such as the Kruger National Park and Blyde River Canyon. Radisson Safari Hotel Hoedspruit will be the only international upscale hotel in the Lowveld and in close proximity to the Orpen Gate of the Kruger National Park, the key driver of tourism in the area. This 2 million-hectare, world-renowned park, features 16 ecosystems and the Big 5 (Africa’s greatest wild animals, more specifically the lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino).
The new 138-room hotel is scheduled to open early 2022, comprising of rooms and suites, coupled with Radisson’s Scandinavian-inspired hospitality and unique brand features. Guests will be able to indulge in local and international cuisine at the all-day dining restaurant. Drinks can be enjoyed at the bar and coffee lounge overlooking the infinite and tranquil landscape as well as the pool bar and traditional lapa, with the majestic Drakensberg as a backdrop.
Guests will be spoilt for choice during their downtime with a variety of leisure facilities such as an Amani Health Spa, two swimming pools, a fully equipped gym, a kid’s club and an equestrian center. In addition, there is a vast, untouched savannah for guests to enjoy through various outdoor activities such as game drives, hot air ballooning and horse rides, as well as abseiling and tubing which can all be booked at the in-house activity center.
Elie Younes, Executive Vice President & Chief Development Officer, Radisson Hotel Group, said: “Radisson Blu remains the largest upper upscale international brand in south Africa, thanks to the great efforts of our teams and the trust of our business partners We are thrilled to introduce the Radisson brand to South Africa with our first safari-inspired hotel in the country. The hotel will be the perfect complement for our other hotels in South Africa.”
Gerrit Jan van der Grijn, CEO of the Lowland Group, developer and owner of the hotel, said, “It is an honor to be partnering with the Radisson Hotel Group to introduce the Radisson brand to South Africa and welcome the first safari-style hotel to the Group’s African portfolio. The hotel will most certainly uplift the area with the credibility that the Radisson Hotel Group brings as the first international hotel brand in the region. We look forward to a flourishing and long-standing partnership with the Group and together opening the doors in 2022.”
The hotel will boast an expansive meeting and events area which will include contemporary and versatile venues, from a conference center to various meeting and board rooms which lead onto a spacious pre-function area and a business center.
Hoedspruit is a substantial urban node in the Maruleng Municipality. It includes an Air Force Base and civil airport, Eastgate Airport, with future developments including a state-of-the-art medical facility. It is a well serviced and connected area with a tourism/eco-tourism and agricultural (mainly citrus) economy.
There are three flights daily from Johannesburg and daily flights from Cape Town to Eastgate Airport, only a
10-minute drive from the hotel. The N12/N4 national highway provides access from Johannesburg (4.5-hour drive), while the R40 regional highway leads to Nelspruit and Phalaborwa.
