Building on his 12-year career with Sun International, Nico Myburgh has been appointed general manager of the iconic The Palace with the brief to reposition it as a deluxe six-star hotel.
Nico shares that he has a soft spot for The Palace – following stints there as Rooms Division Manager (2011 – 2014) and Hotel Manager (2015 – 2017 and 2021) – and explains, “The Palace is an iconic hotel. It’s always been a flagship, not only for Sun International, but for the country as well. It is known worldwide as a spectacular hotel. I have a soft spot for the property. When people walk into the lobby, they are amazed as they look up at the beautiful architecture and hand-painted ceilings. It is a stunning property in an even more amazing location, and I am happy to be back.”
Looking forward
Nico and his 540-strong team are committed to upholding and even elevating the reputation of this luxury brand, especially now as international leisure travel and conferencing are on an upward trajectory.
Nico shares that a critical aspect of his and his team’s work will be to ensure that every guest has a memorable stay at the hotel. This includes celebrities, such as previous guests Michael Jackson, Elton John, Adam Sandler, Drew Barrymore, Denzel Washington, Kings of Chaos, Morgan Freeman and Queen, among others. But importantly it also includes every other person who chooses to stay at The Palace.
Previous guests include Michael Jackson, Elton John, Adam Sandler, Drew Barrymore, Denzel Washington, Kings of Chaos, Morgan Freeman and Queen, among others.
To achieve this, Nico says that careful planning is paramount; “A typical day starts with a meeting with the team. We meet seven days a week, 365 days a year. We look at the daily business arrivals and events and how our in-house guests are enjoying their stay. The team then focuses on daily operational excellence in each department.”
The hotel’s recent refurbishments will no doubt support their objective. These include the addition of the world-class Royal Spa and Salon, with its six individual treatment rooms and three palatial suites, a comprehensive refresh of its 326 rooms and suites, and a new gym, equipped with free weights, resistance machines, treadmills and stationary cycles.
For more details about The Palace, click here.
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