Luxury hotel and apartment group The Capital Hotels and Apartments is shaking up the local hospitality industry with its guest centric, cost efficient approach. Since opening The Capital Pearls in Umhlanga, the group has expanded its footprint to be a national player… and it’s not done yet.
The Capital Hotels and Apartments has responded to the needs of business travellers who seek the comfort and luxury of a hotel along with the conveniences of a home away from home. Its clever hybrid model has eliminated the unnecessary costs typical of the hospitality industry, keeping aesthetics simple and the guest experience seamless with a choice of one, two and three-bedroom apartment or hotel room configuration.
“We always design our buildings backwards,” says Managing Director Marc Wachsberger.
“We start by researching what corporate clients expect of a room and what they would be prepared to pay for the level of comfort and convenience that has become synonymous with our apartment hotels.”
“We then design the properties to respond to those needs. This strategy has worked immensely well for us, as our Sandton properties achieve a monthly average of 83% occupancy – a high rate in the current climate.”
The group’s properties in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Pretoria and Umhlanga offer the free value added services that travellers seek in a destination, including complimentary high-speed uncapped wi-fi, secure parking, free laundry services, and free shuttle services to nearby locations.
The modular design of the properties means they can be easily scaled from a one-bedroom for professionals staying alone, to a three-bedroom apartment with a living area for families or colleagues each with their own personal living space, and without the original guest having to move. This makes them the perfect choice for executives away on business during the week, who have their family join them for the weekend.
All apartment units include a kitchen – perfect for a cost effective stay. This feature also bodes well for any length of stay – and The Capital Hotels and Apartments allows guests to choose whether they’d like to eat in or dine out. This feature is particularly useful for family stays. The Capital Pearls in Umhlanga recently opened with 140 suites and apartments, extensive conference and meeting facilities for up to 200 delegates, and direct access to the main Umhlanga Beach.
“This property was a strategic addition to our portfolio, with its direct easy access to The Pearls of Umhlanga mall, restaurants and leisure facilities, the beach and nearby business hubs,” Wachsberger explains.
“Establishing an apartment hotel in Umhlanga made sense to us as the area has seen massive growth and has become KwaZulu- Natal’s business hub in the last few years. Corporates are choosing the area because of its new infrastructure, easy access to highways, and proximity to King Shaka International Airport.”
Wachsberger has returned home to the heart of Sandton for the group’s next project, with the R1.2 billion 300-room luxury The Capital On The Park, perfectly positioned on Katherine Street. The flagship apartment hotel will be opening its doors during March.
The Capital On The Park’s full-service experience means that guests never need to leave the hotel, but it’s location is on the doorstep of Sandton City, Nelson Mandela Square, Rosebank and many other business nodes, nestling guests in the heart of all the sophisticated action.
The hotel offers in-house dining experiences, a convenience store, an indoor practice golf range, heated pool, a spa with saunas, and exclusive gym classes. If the day’s work means that it’s time to celebrate, the hotel’s Champagne Bar serves only the finest – the perfect way to commemorate remarkable achievements – or everyday ones too!
All The Capital Hotels and Apartments full service properties have conference facilities equipped with state-of-the-art audio and lighting technology, as well as complimentary high-speed internet connectivity.
The group also empowers its on-site staff, with each property’s general manager embracing an entrepreneurial approach to making business decisions that will impact positively on the sustainability and profitability of the apartment hotel in their care. This entrepreneurial spirit is at the heart of the group, with its aggressive expansion plans including an intent to open two new properties every year in major South African cities, offering cost effective accommodation in central business districts for international business travellers.
There are also plans afoot to expand into other parts of southern Africa. “Historically, The Capital Hotels and Apartments has purchased or leased existing properties and upgraded them to meet its standards and strategy, but much of the planned investment will be in purpose-designed greenfield properties,” Wachsberger says.
“We’re presenting an offering that addresses the conventions and norms of the traditional hotel industry, by offering an affordable experience with more space, more essentials, and fewer unnecessary frills.” Properties in the group include The Capital On The Park, The Capital Moloko, The Capital Empire, The Capital 20 West in Sandton, The Capital On Bath in Rosebank, The Capital Menlyn Maine in Pretoria, The Capital Mirage in Cape Town, and The Capital Pearls in Umhlanga.