Arabella Hotel, Golf & Spa

Johannesburg, 18 July 2025 - Discovery Green, a Discovery Limited business, is proud to announce the signing of a 10-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with Southern Sun, South Africa's leading hospitality group.

This agreement will see more than 90% of Southern Sun's consumption across seven flagship sites powered by clean, renewable energy wheeled from some of the country's largest wind and solar farms through the national grid.

Under the agreement, Discovery Green will supply renewable energy to Southern Sun's Arabella Hotel, Golf and Spa, Drakensberg Sun, Garden Court Morningside, Southern Sun Katherine Street, Southern Sun Sandton, Champagne Sports Resort, and Sabi River Sun Resort.

This agreement builds on Discovery Green's other agreements in the hospitality and property sectors, whereby Southern Sun will receive energy from Discovery Green's renewable portfolio, including phase two of the Overberg Wind Farm with Red Rocket currently under construction.

Andre Nepgen, Head of Discovery Green, said: “We are thrilled to supply Southern Sun and these iconic hotels and resorts with affordable, renewable energy.

“This partnership speaks to our broader goal to unlock renewable energy access for all South African businesses, from NGOs and SMME to large sectors like hospitality, to drive economic growth.”

A sustainable edge

Though not traditionally energy-intensive, the hospitality industry stands to benefit significantly from renewables lowering costs, meeting consumer demand for responsible travel, and strengthening brand reputation.

With over 90 hotels across Africa and the Middle East, Southern Sun continues to embed sustainability into its operations and has a reputation for its commitment to environmental stewardship. From energy and water savings to waste reduction, the group is intent on minimising its environmental impact and preserving South Africa's natural beauty for generations to come.

Commenting on the partnership, Marcel von Aulock, CEO of Southern Sun, said: “Partnering with Discovery Green is an important step in our sustainability programme. Securing cost-effective renewable energy for our flagship properties not only reduces our carbon footprint but also assures guests that their stay supports South Africa's transition to a cleaner energy future. This agreement reinforces our long-term commitment to responsible growth while ensuring energy stability for our operations.”

About Discovery Green

Backed by the scale and actuarial expertise of the Discovery Group, Discovery Green empowers businesses to replace more than 90% of their electricity demand with affordable, price-certain renewable energy. Through partnerships with some of the largest wind and solar plants in the country, Discovery Green aims to contribute significantly to South Africa's energy transition. For more information, visit www.discoverygreen.co.za

Johannesburg, Thursday, 6 February 2025 – Southern Sun has once again showcased its commitment to excellence in hospitality, securing multiple accolades at the prestigious 2025 Booking.com Traveller Review Awards.

This year, an impressive 42 of the group’s properties have been recognised, achieving outstanding guest feedback over the past three years.

The Booking.com Traveller Review Awards are a hallmark of quality and service, celebrating properties that have consistently delivered exceptional experiences. To qualify, a property must maintain an average review score of at least 8.0, based on guest ratings published between 1 December 2021 and 30 November 2024. Southern Sun’s continued success in these awards is a testament to its unwavering focus on guest satisfaction and service excellence.

Award-Winning Southern Sun Hotels and Resorts
The following Southern Sun properties were recognised in the 2025 Booking.com Traveller Review Awards:

• 54 on Bath
• Arabella Hotel, Golf & Spa
• Beverly Hills
• Birchwood Hotel and OR Tambo Conference Centre
• InterContinental OR Tambo Airport
• Mount Grace Hotel & Spa
• Paradise Sun
• Sandton Sun & Towers
• Southern Sun Abu Dhabi
• Southern Sun Cape Sun
• Southern Sun Dar es Salaam
• Southern Sun de Wagen
• Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani
• Southern Sun Hyde Park Sandton
• Southern Sun Katherine Street
• Southern Sun Mbombela
• Southern Sun Newlands
• Southern Sun Ridgeway Lusaka
• Southern Sun Rosebank
• Southern Sun Sandton
• Southern Sun The Cullinan
• Southern Sun The Marine
• Southern Sun Waterfront Cape Town
• Drakensberg Sun Resort
• Pine Lake Resort
• Riverside Sun
• Sabi River Sun Resort
• Tete Ferry Sun
• The Edward
• SunSquare Cape Town City Bowl
• SunSquare Cape Town Gardens
• Garden Court Hatfield
• Garden Court Kings Beach
• Garden Court Kitwe
• Garden Court Morningside Sandton
• Garden Court Mthatha
• Garden Court Polokwane
• Garden Court Sandton City
• Garden Court uMhlanga
• Garden Court Victoria Junction
• StayEasy Cape Town City Bowl
• StayEasy Lusaka
• StayEasy Maputo
• StayEasy Mbombela
• SUN1 Port Elizabeth

Southern Sun CEO, Marcel von Aulock, expressed his pride in the group’s achievements, stating, “These awards reflect Southern Sun’s commitment to hospitality excellence and recognise the unwavering dedication of our staff, who consistently go above and beyond to deliver world-class hospitality. We are incredibly grateful to our guests for their trust and feedback, and we remain committed to providing exceptional experiences across all our properties”

The 2025 awards reinforce Southern Sun’s position as a leading hospitality provider across South Africa, Africa, and the Middle East. Many of its hotels and resorts have shown consistent year-on-year improvements, demonstrating the group’s investment in service, comfort, and guest satisfaction.

A Mark of Trust for Travellers
As the travel industry grows increasingly competitive, the Booking.com Traveller Review Awards serve as a valuable guide for travellers seeking high-quality accommodations backed by genuine guest experiences. Southern Sun’s hotels and resorts continue to set the benchmark for exceptional stays, whether for business travel, luxury escapes or family-friendly destinations.

Luxury Hermanus destination, Arabella Hotel, Golf & Spa has revealed a new offer specially created for discerning golfers looking to escape the city this Easter weekend.

Golf enthusiasts and their families can experience Easter at its finest with a package that includes luxury accommodation, breakfast, and a round of golf for two, as well as a fun, activity-filled Easter programme should they choose to bring the family along.

Nestled within the Kogelberg Biosphere in Kleinmond, Arabella is only a 60-minute drive from the Cape Town International Airport, making it the perfect long weekend getaway.  With 145 luxurious rooms and suites all boasting spectacular views of the ocean, lagoon and mountains, Arabella is a statement in refined elegance. The hotel’s range of fine dining options offer an outstanding menu and wine selection. Jamani restaurant is renowned for locally sourced farm-to-table dishes as well as a variety of classic favourites from around the world. Guests can indulge in sundowners at Laguna Lounge and Barnabas Bar, which overlook the swimming pool, gardens and lagoon.

Arabella’s picturesque golf course is ranked the seventh best course in the country, steadily improving its rating year-on-year through exceptional course management and landscaping. The golf experience at Arabella begins on arrival with a golf bag drop at the hotel reception and continues with the convenience of stepping out of the hotel directly onto the putting green. There is no better place to play a thrilling 72-par 18 holes round, with pristine grass, tricky sand traps and challenging water hazards. Designed by Peter Matkovich, Arabella golf course has been played and lauded by world-famous celebrities such as Samuel L. Jackson as well as professional golfers such ads Ernie Els and Gary Player, and boasts two signature holes, the 8th which is a par 5 and the 17th which is a par 3.

Arabella offers more than golf, with its award-winning spa that features a rainforest, sauna, hydrotherapy healing and pool, as well as a fitness centre, tennis courts and resort style swimming pools. A fun-filled kids’ programme will run over the Easter weekend offering arts and crafts, movies, dancing, cookie-painting and an Easter egg hunt with a guest appearance by Arabella’s very own Easter bunny.

The Arabella Easter Golf Getaway offers exceptional value for only R3,000 per room per night for two people sharing in a Deluxe Garden Room, including buffet breakfast as well as a round of golf for two people. Upgrade to a Suite and bring the family. Two children under 12, stay and eat breakfast free, when sharing with adults. The offer is valid for the nights of 7, 8 & 9 April 2023 only.

Visit www.southernsun.com/arabella-hotel-golf-and-spa/offers/arabella-easter-weekend-package to find out more and make reservations.

Guests can take a VR Tour at www.southernsun.com/arabella-hotel-golf-and-spa to discover everything that Arabella Hotel, Golf & Spa has to offer and get a real feel for the hotel before making bookings.

Southern Sun is proud to introduce a new Virtual Reality (VR) Tour of one of its flagship luxury properties, the Arabella Hotel, Golf & Spa.

Located close to Kleinmond near Hermanus and just 60 minutes from Cape Town International Airport, the hotel is an award-winning golf and spa resort with world-class conferencing facilities. The VR Tour uses the latest Virtual Reality technology to provide an innovative virtual walk-through of the entire property’s many impressive features, which include one of South Africa’s top ten golf courses.

The VR Tour provides a vivid and interactive depiction of what guests can expect to experience at the hotel, with a level of detail that is unmatched. It allows users to navigate the hotel’s different room types, explore their facilities and see their views, be they lagoon-facing or garden views. With room sizes starting at 43m2, the VR Tour captures the spaciousness of the large, well-appointed rooms, as well as their private balconies, which offer sweeping views of the picturesque landscape.

In addition, guests can explore the hotel’s Jumani restaurant, Laguna Lounge and Barnabas Bar, which overlook the swimming pool, gardens and lagoon. The VR Tour of the spa, which offers an indoor hydro swimming pool, enables guests to visit the treatment rooms and pan around, exploring even the finest details, such as the indulgent range of Thalgo and Babor products on offer.  The VR Tour enables prospective guests to explore the entire property before they have even arrived – allowing for ease of decision-making and booking with confidence.

Says Southern Sun chief executive, Marcel von Aulock, “Southern Sun is proud to showcase the Arabella, Hotel, Golf & Spa using this impressive technology that provides guests with a real feel for the hotel before they make their bookings. The VR technology is an advancement for the world of travel and hospitality, and we are thrilled to provide this value add to our guests.”

Says South African Partner of Gecko Digital Global, Jacques Clarijs, “We are delighted to have been able to provide Southern Sun with this immersive VR Tour of their beautiful Arabella Hotel, Golf & Spa and the exquisite natural environment where it is located. With its stunning visuals, interactive features, and sophisticated technology, this is the first such tour that Gecko Digital Global has created for a hotel group in Africa.”

For anyone planning a vacation, business trip, team getaway, wedding or conference at this one-of-a-kind destination, the Arabella Hotel, Golf & Spa VR Tour is the perfect way for guests to make travel decisions with certainty.

Take the VR Tour at www.southernsun.com/arabella-hotel-golf-and-spa to discover everything that Arabella Hotel, Golf & Spa has to offer.