First Group has undertaken a R5m refurbishment of The Palace located on Durban's golden mile. The art-deco inspired property with its luxury high-rise suites offers unobstructed views of the Indian Ocean.
“With convenience and luxury top-of-mind, we identified a need to expand the property’s potential to accommodate guests from all market segments and not only leisure travel. This entailed the extensive renovation of 13 studio units to create a more spacious setting and led to The Palace being awarded an esteemed four stars from the SA Tourism Grading Counsel,” said Tim Spencer, hotel director for First Group.
The Palace penthouse bedroom
Accommodating guests from all market segments
By removing the kitchens, the studio units were converted from self-catering apartments to spacious hotel rooms. To accommodate the needs of business travellers, each room has been equipped with all the necessities such as sufficient plug points for mobile devices, a minibar and tea/coffee station to ensure a comfortable stay.
The corridors have been beautifully wall-papered and fitted with abstract wooden panels that are complimented with soft lighting to create a warm and welcoming hotel atmosphere on route to the rooms. The luxurious penthouse, with its 22nd-floor birds-eye view, has been completely transformed to create a ‘royalty’ experience. Three bedrooms, each with its own ensuite bathroom, lead to a wraparound balcony with panoramic sea views. The main bedroom is on the upper level of this unit and radiates elegance with its stylish finishes and modern bathroom that showcases a magnificent Jacuzzi Spa bath.
The Palace Sun Lounge
The Sun Lounge received an upmarket and sophisticated décor makeover that includes a unique indoor Koi pond and a new coffee shop to cater for guests, business meetings as well as the public. A signature wall of mosaic tiles and water feature with added greenery has created a more serene atmosphere to the pool deck.
Guests are greeted with the "wow" factor the minute they drive into the parking. A convenient check-in service at the Welcome Reception offers visitors a welcome pack with their room key and a porter service for their luggage. Once settled, the formalities of the check-in can be concluded on the ground floor.
