City Lodge Hotel Group

You may have noticed that we have officially made it to the big 3.0. This has us feeling nostalgic, as well as rearing to go towards the next 30 years! Although most would think that being 30 years old means we should be settling down, we couldn’t disagree more. So, to be honest, we’re actually feeling a little more “29ish” than 30…with travel in our blood and a spring in our step! To celebrate this milestone birthday, we decided to bring the past and the present together – over a delicious cake featuring the City Lodge Hotel Group colours in three different layers, because what’s a celebration without cake? Celebrating at the hotel that started it all. The City Lodge Hotel Group was born when our first City Lodge Hotel opened its doors in Bryanston in 1985. The General Manager at the time was Roberto Rosa, and so we invited him along with two of the first City Lodge Hotel Group employees, who still work for the group today, to the party. Caption: Breakfast Chef, Monica Kekana, Roberto Rosa and Lynda Schroeder, the group’s purchasing manager, were part of the opening team at City Lodge Hotel Bryanston on August 1, 1985. Present at the festivities were, along with Roberto, two more of the hotel’s first General Managers, current CEO Clifford Ross, and Divisional Director of Operations, Tony Balabanoff. The three had a great trip down memory lane during the cake cutting ceremony with current General Manager Brenda Botha! Caption: Celebrating 30 years of smiling faces, from the first General Manager of City Lodge Hotel Bryanston, to the current. It all started with a Swiss and a dream to make travel affordable. City Lodge Hotel Group founder, Hans Enderle, took a trip to the USA in the 80s that sparked the idea behind City Lodge Hotels. He came across Selected Services hotels in America and a lightbulb went off for him. Previously hotels in South Africa were all about opulence and luxury – not making it easy on those who needed to travel for business, or wanted …

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The City Lodge Hotel Group has concluded an agreement with HPF Properties Proprietary Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Hospitality Property Fund, to acquire Hospitality’s interest in the Courtyard Hotel portfolio for a cash consideration of R80 million. In an announcement issued via the Stock Exchange News Service, City Lodge said all conditions precedent to the sale have been fulfilled and that the sale will be effective from May 1, 2015. The sale agreement involves Hospitality’s 50% interest in: Gallic Courtyard (Arcadia) Share Block Proprietary Limited; Gallic Courtyard (Bruma Lake) Share Block Proprietary Limited; Gallic Courtyard (Rosebank) Share Block Limited; Gallic Courtyard (Sandown) Share Block Limited; and its 50% share in five sectional title units at Courtyard Hotel Sandton and one at Courtyard Hotel Rosebank. This transaction means that the City Lodge Hotel Group will wholly own these hotels as from May 1. Courtyard Hotel Port Elizabeth is already wholly owned by the group. Explaining the rationale for the deal, City Lodge CEO, Clifford Ross, said: “The Courtyard Hotel brand is an integral part of the City Lodge Hotel Group’s portfolio of brands and complements our strategy of providing quality accommodation options in the one star to four star business and leisure traveller markets in South Africa.” The group has 52 hotels in South Africa across the Courtyard Hotel, City Lodge Hotel, Town Lodge and Road Lodge brands. It also has a Town Lodge in Gaborone, Botswana, a Town Lodge in Nairobi, Kenya, and also owns the Fairview Hotel in Nairobi. Under construction currently are the 148-room City Lodge Hotel Newtown in Johannesburg and the 90-room Road Lodge Pietermaritzburg. The group has also announced expansion plans to build new hotels in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam and is in negotiations that may lead to further hotels in Windhoek, Kampala and Maputo. Author: City Lodge Hotel Group from City Lodge Hotel Group. More Info link: …

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Veterans and Masters category winners and podium finishers will receive great hotel accommodation prizes; Over 60 category introduced for the first time! First, second and third placed riders in the mens’ veterans and masters categories of this year’s gruelling Old Mutual joBERG2C mountain bike tour will be rewarded with accommodation from the City Lodge Hotel Group as their prizes. This will apply to both the team and solo categories. In addition, an Over 60 category has been introduced for the first time, with the top riders also receiving accommodation prizes from the City Lodge Hotel Group. “Rewarding our achievers with accommodation prizes is ideal as they can use these prizes for either business or leisure purposes,” said Craig Wapnick, organizer of the joBERG2C which is now in its sixth year and takes place over nine days and 900km from April 24 to May 2. “City Lodge’s generous sponsorship has also enabled us to introduce an Over 60 category for the first time, which we are very excited about.” This is the second year that City Lodge Hotel Group has been involved with the event, but this year’s sponsorship is much bigger than it was last year. Apart from providing prizes for the top performers, the City Lodge Hotel Group is also providing some “special” prizes for some of the more “interesting” accomplishments – such as oldest competitor, most fatigued competitor etc. “We are chuffed to be associated with this incredible event which demonstrates endurance at its best. The riders will certainly need to relax in one of our hotels after they have ridden all the way to the coast,” said Peter Schoeman, City Lodge’s Divisional Director: Sales and Marketing, adding that there are 52 hotels in South Africa to choose from. Unfortunately, City Lodge’s finisher in last year’s event will not be competing in 2015 after suffering a broken foot earlier this year. But Henri Joubert, the group’s international business development manager, reckons he’ll be …

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Member hotels in the City Lodge Hotel Group across the country did their bit for Earth Hour on March 28 by switching off most of their lights and resorting to candlelight. Also participating in this annual event for the first time was the 149-room City Lodge Hotel Waterfall City which opened in February. Staff and guests got in on the act, enjoying the 8.30-9.30pm celebration of this world-wide commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions across the globe. Significantly, even when the lights are on, the City Lodge Hotel Group utilises energy efficient LED bulbs and movement sensors to reduce the amount of power it pulls from the national electricity grid. Author: City Lodge Hotel Group from City Lodge Hotel Group. More Info link: https://clhg.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/CityLodgeHotels Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/City.lodge.hotels.limited Images: For high res version/s of Two image/s please contact: City Lodge Hotel Group. Pictured at the reception are of City Lodge Hotel Waterfall City during Earth Hour are staff members Wellma Nkwashu and Lishen Gurovich. Photo: Enjoying a drink at the bar of City Lodge Hotel Waterfall City during Earth Hour are guests Mathilda Varcoe and Andre Kester. Photo: CLICK HERE to submit your press release to MyPR.co.za. …

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Great news for the South African National Culinary Team is that the City Lodge Hotel Group will be taking care of their accommodation needs as they prepare for next year’s IKA Culinary Olympics taking place in Erfurt, Germany! This means that the eight member team – three from Johannesburg and five from Cape Town – will be able to get together for practices as they build up to the big event which takes place from October 22-26 in 2016. If the Joburgers go down to Cape Town, they will be able to stay at any City Lodge Group Hotel – if the Capetonians come up to Joburg, they will be able to stay at any City Lodge Group Hotel. As Heinz Brunner, manager of the SA National Culinary Team, says: “Travel is necessary to ensure that the team can practise together and then go back to their restaurants and perfect their dishes through including them on their own menus.” The team will practise at different venues every two months. “We are training hard, developing an exceptional menu and working as a team to produce world-class food that represents South Africa’s culinary scene with excellence. We couldn’t do this without our fantastic sponsors and partners. A huge thank you goes to the City Lodge Hotel Group for their support as our accommodation partner and to Imperial LSC as our headline sponsor.” Commenting on behalf of the City Lodge Hotel Group, Peter Schoeman, Divisional Director, Sales and Marketing, said: “It is a privilege for us to assist our Springboks of the food world as they prepare to represent our country in the world’s ultimate culinary challenge.” The competition will see national teams from across the globe compete in categories such as Hot Kitchen, Cold Table and Pastry. Author: City Lodge Hotel Group from . More Info link: https://clhg.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/CityLodgeHotels Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/City.lodge.hotels.limited Images: For high res version/s of Three image/s please contact: . Celebrating the …

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Our ongoing efforts to grow out footprint in South Africa and selected countries are bearing fruit. At our interim results announcement on February 18, we updated the market on the progress we are making. Here’s a rundown of what’s in the development works. In South Africa: - We fully opened the 149-room City lodge Hotel Waterfall City Hotel at Midrand in February - The 148-room City Lodge Hotel Newtown (downtown Johannesburg) is well underway and will open before the end of 2015 - The 90-room Road Lodge Pietermaritzburg will commence in February and is scheduled to open in November Elsewhere in Africa: - Earthworks are expected to begin in the second quarter of 2015 for the 169-room City Lodge Hotel Two Rivers in Nairobi, Kenya, and for the 147-room City Lodge Hotel Dar es Salaam in Tanzania. - A financial feasibility study is being conducted into the possible development of a 150-room City Lodge Hotel in Kampala, Uganda. - A memorandum of understanding (subject to conditions) has been entered into for the possible development of a 140 to 150-room Town Lodge in Windhoek, Namibia - Negotiations are at an advanced stage for the development of 150 to 160-room City Lodge Hotel in Maputo, Mozambique. The bottom line is that we will soon have more great locations to meet your business and leisure accommodation needs – both in SA and elsewhere on the continent! Author: City Lodge Hotel Group from City Lodge Hotel Group. More Info link: https://clhg.com/new-hotels Twitter: https://twitter.com/CityLodgeHotels Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/City.lodge.hotels.limited Images: For high res version/s of One image/s please contact: City Lodge Hotel Group. Artist's Impression Photo: City Lodge Hotel Group   CLICK HERE to submit your press release to MyPR.co.za. …

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That special day of love is just around the corner…and that means the pressure is on, right? Don’t worry, we’ve got great ideas for you, with everything planned from accommodation to activities – all you need is a valentine now! Port Elizabeth: Our Special: Stay at our Courtyard Hotel Port Elizabeth for only R900 a night on 13, 14 and 15 February 2015. Your Valentine’s Date Options: Since this hotel is opposite the famed Humewood beach, we suggest you and your valentine start your day off with an early walk along the beach, muttering sweet nothings to each other while enjoying the fresh air and beautiful scenery – as well as getting some endorphin-inducing exercise to start your Valentine’s Day off just right! After your walk, it’s probably time for a delicious brunch (or lunch, depending on how early you managed to wake up), and so it’s off to P.E.’s Boardwalk Casino and Resort complex, right next to our Courtyard Hotel. While you’re there, you can also pick up any last minute Valentine’s presents…just in case you forgot about that part of Valentine’s Day. Depending on how adventurous you are feeling for the rest of the day, you could either take in the cultural experience that is Route 67, or enjoy an amazing game drive at the Shamwari Game Reserve. Valentine’s Day sorted, P.E. style – you’re welcome! Rosebank: Our Special: Stay at our Courtyard Hotel Rosebank for only R900 a night on 13, 14 and 15 February 2015. Your Valentine’s Date Options: Our Rosebank Hotel Courtyard is opposite a Gautrain station, meaning that you are free to go where your heart desires this Valentine’s Day. We recommend a stop at the Rosebank African Craft Market, to find your sweetheart a real treasure to remember this Valentine’s Day by, as well as to take in the great culture of the market. After that, you will find yourself conveniently in the Rosebank Mall, so why not have a romantic meal at one of the great restaurants and then catch a cosy movie? You have a …

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Reinforcing its strong commitment to people development as part of its core business strategy, the City Lodge Hotel Group has been awarded bronze status by Investors in People for a further three year period for its South African hotels within the Courtyard Hotel, City Lodge Hotel, Town Lodge and Road Lodge brands. The group, which has 52 hotels in South Africa, one in Botswana and two in Kenya, was first accredited by Investors in People in 2008, before being upgraded to bronze status in 2011 for the three years to 2014. Only around 200 employers in South Africa have benefited from Investors in People accreditation, compared to around 15,000 in the UK, where the benchmark originated, and internationally. However, Investors in People South Africa is growing its membership base as more employers recognize the advantages of accreditation and business performance improvement benefits. Investors in People is a management framework for high performance through people. It optimises performance by championing best practice in people management and equipping organisations with the tools to succeed. Organisations that demonstrate the Investors in People standards achieve accreditation through a rigorous and objective assessment to determine performance. During November and December 2014, a 10% sample of the City Lodge group’s staff in South Africa was interviewed face to face or by phone as part of the accreditation process, with questions pitched to them appropriate with their job descriptions and skills levels. “Our ongoing aim is to be an employer of choice and to attract, retain and develop the right people for our organisation,” explained Marcel Kobilski, the group’s HR director. “It has been proven that organisations with a comprehensive approach to people management perform better. We believe this favourably impacts our service levels and competencies which ultimately benefits those hugely important people – our guests.” In addition, he believes …

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Staff from City Lodge Hotel Lynnwood, which is located at the Lynnwood Bridge complex on the eastern side of Pretoria, recently visited Eersterus Old Age Home in Pretoria to bring them some a “sweet” surprise ahead of Christmas. They arrived at the home armed with loads of sweets to bring some festive cheer into the lives of the senior citizens residing there. As can be seen by these photos, their tasty treats were well received by the home’s residents. This is another demonstration of the City Lodge Hotel group’s “I’m Kind” programme in action. Opened in 2010, the 205-room City Lodge Hotel Lynnwood has become a popular accommodation destination for both business and leisure travellers in the Pretoria area. Ever since its opening, the hotel has ensured that it makes a meaningful contribution towards improving the lives of the less fortunate in nearby communities. City Lodge Hotel Lynnwood is one of several City Lodge Hotel Group hotels in the Pretoria area – the others being City Lodge Hotel Hatfield, Courtyard Hotel Arcadia, Town Lodge Menlo and Road Lodge Centurion. Importantly, it is not just at Christmas time that hotels in the City Lodge Hotel Group benefit the needy and less fortunate in various communities around the country. It happens throughout the year on a regular basis. The group’s “I’m Kind” programme involves various acts of kindness that benefit children, the aged and other needy people. Hotels adopt projects within their neighbouring communities and get involved in helping them with various maintenance activities – such as painting – and through the donation of linen and various other items. Through bookings on its website, the group also donates money on behalf of guests to Hospice and Food & Trees for Africa. An annual donation is also made to the Cancer Association of South Africa as a result of tea and coffee bought by guests at 21 Road Lodges around the country. Author: City Lodge Hotel Group from City Lodge Hotel Group. More …

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