Even the construction crew are having a ball at Protea Hotel Fire & Ice! Menlyn, where they’ve raised the roof on what is set to be the hottest property in Pretoria.
But the real party is set to start in early 2015, when the hotel team that’s too school for cool will throw open the doors to welcome the first guests and conference delegates.
The six-storey designer hotel is going up in Summit Place, a new commercial precinct that’s being developed opposite the popular Menlyn Park Mall.
Pretoria’s Cool Central will have 178 rooms of which 10 are suites and 40 inter-leading rooms, a restaurant, designer bar and lifestyle spaces, stylish conference centre, feature swimming pool and approximately 250 underground parking bays.
Protea Hotels Director of Sales, Marketing & Revenue, Danny Bryer, says the physical structure of the designer building is complete and work on the plumbing, reticulation and other first fix items for the rooms levels is currently underway.
“Work is flying along at the moment. We have another couple of months of essential build ahead of us before the fun starts with creating the edgy look and feel of the property. There’s no doubt in my mind that this hotel and MICE market dream space is going to take the cool factor of Protea Hotel Fire & Ice! to a whole new level.”
Conferencing is going to be a mammoth element of the new Protea Hotel Fire & Ice! Menlyn.
“We’ve built a double-storey stand-alone conference centre adjacent to the hotel that’s without doubt going to be Pretoria’s premiere MICE destination. The ground floor is massive and screams ‘extravaganza’; this alone can accommodate up to 500 people and it has drive-in access for vehicle unveilings, etc.
“Upstairs there are two 150-seater conference rooms, and a variety of boardrooms that are going to be where everyone who’s anyone will want to meet, seal deals and be seen. The conference centre is entirely Fire & Ice! in feeling – it isn’t just another anonymous meeting space that could be anywhere in the world. It’ll also have the latest technology and audio visual services to take the experience to another level.”
While the conference centre is an integral part of the chic hotel, Bryer says the property as a whole will have a unique style but still be instantly identifiable as a Protea Hotel Fire & Ice! – a space that’s experiential, young thinking and edgy.
“Without giving too much away at this stage, let’s just say we’re creating the ultimate indoor/outdoor urban environment to see and be seen – ideal for chilling with your besties in the bar, enjoying the ultimate in hip business breakfasts, conducting a high-level meeting or simply putting your feet up with your iPad and catching up on mails.
“All the entertainment areas are on one level, so the vibe and energy of the experience will be felt from check in till check out. The pool deck is the main focal point. It will contain private pods with fireplaces ideal for cool couples wanting a bit of heat, and there will be a large outdoor restaurant component as well.”
Bryer says Protea Hotel Fire & Ice! Menlyn will be a magnet for travellers young at heart, who enjoy being amidst the energetic urban vibe of city life.
