My old maths teacher always said that if I paid attention to my sums it would pay off in the end.
Well Mrs Green, you were absolutely right!
So there I was, standing in the African Suite at the five-star Palace of the Lost City hotel in Sun City, enjoying a VIP tour of the luxury accommodation – the same suite Adam Sandler stayed in while filming the 2014 movie Blended.
The hotel had put on a scrumptious high tea for visiting media attending Mega Lekker 2025, a famil initiative by South African Tourism involving more than 100 Australasian travel agents. It all wrapped up with two days of meetings and events at Sun City and a stay at the Palace.
Little did the assembled members of the Fourth Estate know that a big surprise was in store…
“Somebody is going to win a night in this suite,” said Nico Myburgh, the affable General Manager.
You could have heard a pen drop as the assembled journos immediately fell silent, wondering what torturous physical or mental challenge lay ahead.
“We have four of these presidential suites, six superior suites and six junior suites. How many suites is that in total?” asked Nico.
Faster than Usain Bolt after 17 coffees, I blurted out “16!”.
And so it was I got to live the life of a Hollywood movie star…at least for one night.
Jon celebrates his good fortune in true journalistic style
Described as South Africa’s “most generous and luxurious accommodation,” the African Suite has hosted world leaders and celebrities since the Sun International property opened its doors 30 years ago.
“This is our most beautiful suite in the hotel,” Nico told me as the enormity of my good fortune began to sink in.
“We have four of these presidential-style suites and they’re all unique in their own way. Not one of them looks the same.
“The King Suite was designed for Michael Jackson, so if you go in there it’s gold and black and very opulent with lots of drapery and strong colours.”
I think I’d rather be Blended than Bad…
Once the hoi polloi had reluctantly cleared out and I had the place to myself, it was time to take a close look at what $10,000-$15,000 a night (depending on the season) gets you in the “house in the sky”.
Obviously the first thing you notice is the sheer size of the two-bedroom suite, coming in at a whopping 332-square-metres, plus 245-square-metres of outside terrace space. Plenty of room for a Hollywood star, his family and probably most of his celebrity entourage.
As I didn’t have an entourage I had to make do with sharing my good fortune with the fabulous travel agents I’d just spent a week travelling around South Africa with. The hotel even went to the trouble of stocking the private bar so we could toast my success in more than just orange juice and also laid on some tasty canapes.
I really felt like a VIP – or at least a SIP (Slightly Important Person) – but did bizarrely start to worry about people spilling drinks or food on the carpets! I wonder if Tina Turner or Elton John (both of whom had also stayed here) felt the same way?
As for the suite itself, well if you were expecting gaudy, showbusiness bling and blitz, you’d be sadly disappointed.
While there were a few animal print furnishings here and there, the suite was tastefully decorated throughout, with the walls painted in a delightfully soothing shade of sea green, elegant carpets and huge curtains designed specially (and only) for The Palace.
Original works by local artists feature prominently, with botanicals by Sibonelo Chiliza, photographs by Charles Johnstone, oils by Sue Martin and other pieces by Fatima Moosa, Bokang Mankoe and Luke Batha.
“We have modernised the suite but maintained the essence of The Palace’s origins which is African expression,” said interior designer David Muirhead of David Muirhead & Associates, who carried out a recent refurbishment.
“We have drawn our inspiration for the space from the colour of the landscape which the suite overlooks and which is reflected in the interior colour, that is called misty mountain.
“It is penthouse living at its very best – it is an understated African luxury which evokes a sense of peace.”
Elsewhere, and for those of us who desperately need to keep in touch with our Hollywood agent, there was an office complete with leather bound books, a phone and a computer.
A small kitchen allowed the staff (you get a butler, of course) to come and go without intruding.
The main bathroom was enormous, with double sinks, a huge sunken bath, more wardrobe space than Storage King and a shower with seats for two.
Of course, we movie stars expect extra bang for our buck so there was also a piano, outdoor Jacuzzi and a small sauna in the bathroom of the main bedroom, which featured a large four poster bed facing one of the 76 TV’s in the suite (maybe a slight exaggeration but there were a lot. Even the Rolling Stones wouldn’t be able to throw this lot out of the window!).
Talking of bed, I almost needed a stepladder to get into the thing, but once there, boy was it comfy – like sinking into a vat of candyfloss. As I lay there, I couldn’t help but wonder if Adam snored…?
Unfortunately bad weather kept me from exploring my private terrace as Sun City endured heavier than usual seasonal rainfall. But on a dry day it gives you a superstar view over the neighbouring mountains which you can enjoy from the aforementioned hot tub, day bed or sun loungers.
Like me, you might even spot some monkeys climbing along the railings…just don’t feed them!
“This is penthouse living which would suit the requirements of a family or business associates – it feels like a magnificent home,” added Muirhead.
If this is the way movie stars live away from home, well Mr Sandler I can definitely say your suite and I ‘blended’. Now where did I put those lottery tickets…?
https://www.suninternational.com/palace/
