Hospitality Business
Food Solutions
Beverage Solutions
Catering Equipment
Hotel Solutions
Furnishings & DecorFairmont Zimbali Resort opens its doors to the world and for fans of the
2010 FIFA World Cup
THE BIRTH OF THE BRAND
When the grand Fairmont San Francisco opened on Nob Hill in 1907, it set the stage for connecting the Fairmont name with “place of occasion”. The Fairmont San Fran soon became the city’s venue of choice for glittering balls, presidential visits and international gatherings. History was made when the United Nations charter was signed in the hotel’s Garden Room. Tony Bennett first crooned, “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” at the hotel’s famous nightclub, The Venetian Room.
With this auspicious beginning, the Fairmont brand was born. As the elegant collection grew, guests began to associate the Fairmont name with unrivaled properties, experiences which reflected their unique locations and warm, memorable service. Fairmont hotels and resorts have hosted the rich and famous, kings and queens, presidents and prime ministers, and stars of the stage and screen. Many of Fairmont’s iconic properties have been integral to the development of their communities’ social fabric and identity.
Think of a landmark hotel around the globe and chances are it is a Fairmont property. Offering one of the largest collections of storied properties in the world, celebrated addresses in the portfolio include The Fairmont Banff Springs, The Savoy in London, Quebec City’s Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, New York’s The Plaza, Nairobi’s Fairmont The Norfolk, Fairmont Peace Hotel in Shanghai and Makkah Clock Royal Tower, A Fairmont Hotel amongst many others.
Creating memorable moments has resonated through all Fairmont properties. The grand dame of Toronto, The Fairmont Royal York, opened in 1929 and has hosted three generations of the British Royal family. Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth in Montreal was the choice of John Lennon and Yoko Ono for their Bed-In for Peace in 1969. Fairmont Mayakoba, a modern eco-friendly resort that opened in 2006, hosted the first PGA Golf Tour event in Mexico.
While the historic events or lavish parties may get the press, equally meaningful to Fairmont are the personal, every day travel experiences that are unique and significant to each guest. Be it an exhilarating run down the pristine mountain slopes of Whistler, a long awaited getaway at the Willow Stream spa in Scottsdale, a round of golf in St Andrews, Scotland, the quiet enjoyment of afternoon tea at The Fairmont Empress, or a taste of Hawaiian culture through an outrigger canoe excursion at The Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui, Fairmont offers more than a luxurious room, a grand lobby, or world class dining. Fairmont properties offer a chance to create lasting memories.
In 1999, Fairmont joined forces with Canadian Pacific Hotels, creating a leading luxury hotel company, with over 60 destinations today. Fairmont continues to be committed to growth, expanding its brand presence globally with a number of exciting hotel and mixed-use projects over the next few years in exciting destinations such as Kiev, Jaipur, Manila and Morocco, to name a few. With over a century of hospitality excellence to build on, Fairmont looks forward to creating unforgettable experiences for years to come.
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts is pleased to announce the opening of Fairmont Zimbali Resort, the first custom appointed Fairmont international brand property for southern Africa. Adding a taste of global discernment and cosmopolitan style, this exclusive and elegant 154 room property, located along the sublime eastern coast of South Africa, complements the unadulterated luxury and exacting standards already established within the mixed-use resort environment. Fairmont Zimbali Resort joins the long standing Fairmont Zimbali Lodge, a 76-room property set amongst the indigenous forestation of the resort, overlooking the ocean from a high, breathtaking, vantage point.
It is not without justification that the lobby entrance to Fairmont Zimbali Resort has acquired the descripton of ‘the window that frames a masterpiece’, as the views when overlooking the Kwazulu-Natal coastline and sparkling, cascading resort pools, is simply breathtaking. Cocktails at sunset are simply another dimension to behold.
Zimbali is the Zulu word for ‘Valley of Flowers’ and aptly named it is too. The fusion architecture which blends a subtle touch of Balinese influence with an authentically local interpretation, integrates seamlessly with the eco-sensitive natural environs. The mixed-use resort is carefully designed to flow without disruption between hotel establishments, complementary (I have to ask – you don’t think this may be confused with complimentary in this situation? I know we should assume editors can spell, but wanted to raise the point!) food & beverage facilities and the exclusive residential component, which provides the foundation of the development. Nestled between the pristine beauty of a 700-hectare forest reserve and the shimmering beaches of Kwa-Zulu Natal’s Dolphin Coast on the Indian Ocean, Fairmont Zimbali Resort is an oasis of unspoiled beauty, now only enhanced by the magnificence of the Fairmont service and operational deliverables.
The Resort is just 15 minutes from the brand new King Shaka International Airport (KSIA), adding convenience for both leisure and business travellers. Soccer fans will appreciate being just a short drive away from Durban, one of the nine host cities of the 2010 FIFA World Cup that kicks off in mid-June.
Spectacular ocean views, tasteful architectural design and a plethora of dining options are the trademarks of Fairmont Zimbali Resort. With sweeping private verandas and luxurious soaking tubs, guest rooms are styled with stone, wood and the natural materials of the African environment. The range of dining rooms and lounges offer something for every palate, including an elegant steakhouse serving South Africa’s finest grain fed beef and seafood, a beach club offering wood-fired pizza and barbecue, a sensual wine and tapas bar, pool and beach side cocktail bars and a relaxing tea and coffee lounge featuring strong African roasts and Fairmont teas.
With ample space to relax and play and a stunning ballroom that can accommodate 180 guests, the resort is ideal for entertaining conferences, weddings and galas events of the highest order. Those planning to say “I do” have the option of taking their vows in a chapel among the birds and butterflies of the tropical forest, or at the edge of the Indian Ocean on one of the most exquisite coastlines in the world.
The site is surrounded by an abundance of recreational sites and activities. Game-viewing expeditions, safari outings, animal and crocodile farm tours, horseback riding, hiking, mountain biking, surfing, micro-light flying, boating, fishing, shark and dolphin tours are all within easy access of the resort and a short scenic drive in either direction, north or south. The rich heritage of KwaZulu-Natal is a cultural wonderland for learning and exploration, with historical Zulu battlefields and two UNESCO World Heritage sites nearby: the iSimangaliso Wetland Park and the uKhahlamba/Drakensburg Park.
Luxury, comfort and exclusivity are the hallmarks of this international brand, so for guests who prefer not to stray from the Resort, the Willow Stream Spa offers a perfect place to escape, with eight treatment and steam rooms, and the undivided attention of resident health professionals. There are also five outdoor swimming pools onsite, including a freshwater pool and saltwater pools overlooking the Indian Ocean. For golf aficionados, the new 18-hole golf course is currently under construction, designed by golf champion, Gary Player, which will also boast a golf academy and world-class clubhouse. At the nearby Zimbali Country Club, the Tom Weiskopf-designed course, one of the finest courses in South Africa, is already in play and has over the years challenged the most avid golfer at all skill levels. The property is equipped with high-speed Internet access and video-on-demand, ensuring that even along this unspoiled shoreline, guests never need be out of touch with the latest news, movies and games.
ABOUT FAIRMONT HOTELS & RESORTS
With over 60 distinctive hotels, including the iconic Fairmont San Francisco and Fairmont Peace Hotel, Shanghai, and more in development, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts is a global hospitality brand known for its warm and engaging service and culturally rich experiences. Located in coveted worldwide destinations, its unrivalled collection of classic hotels includes properties that imbue a sense of heritage, sophistication, social importance and are often considered destinations in and of themselves. Fairmont Hotels & Resorts is also committed to responsible tourism and is an industry leader in sustainable hotel management with its award-winning Green Partnership program. Fairmont is owned by Fairmont Raffles Hotels International, a leading global hotel company with 95 hotels under the Fairmont, Raffles and Swissôtel brands. The company also manages Fairmont and Raffles branded residences, estates and luxury private residence club properties.
User Login
