Keep Up To Date With Southern Sun Abu Dhabi
News & Awards
Meet our Hotel General Manager - Pierre Delfau
Pierre joined Southern Sun in 1986 as a receptionist and it’s been quite an adventure since then! He has worked his way up from Front Office Manager to Deputy GM at various locations. A career milestone was becoming GM of InterContinental Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport in 2008. In April 2012, Pierre moved to Dubai to oversee the two hotels we had at the time before taking over the pre-op...
Pierre joined Southern Sun in 1986 as a receptionist and it’s been quite an adventure since then! He has worked his way up from Front Office Manager to Deputy GM at various locations. A career milestone was becoming GM of InterContinental Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport in 2008. In April 2012, Pierre moved to Dubai to oversee the two hotels we had at the time before taking over the pre-opening project of Southern Sun Abu Dhabi. “I have absolutely loved the experience in the Middle East which is such a dynamic market and always requires innovation. Establishing a new brand like Southern Sun in Abu Dhabi was not an easy task, but we have successfully positioned our property as one of the leading hotels in the Capital. This would not have been possible without great teamwork”. Pierre is grateful for the support of his family throughout his journey.
Traveller Review Awards 2025
Southern Sun Abu Dhabi has been awarded a Traveller Review Awards 2025. Booking.com's Traveller Review Awards 2025 recognize hotels that have received an consistently high-rated reviews left by Booking.com travellers, for providing exceptional guest experiences throughout the year.
Travellers' Choice Award 2024
Southern Sun Abu Dhabi is a proud recipient of the 2024 Travellers' Choice Award. TripAdvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to hotels that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on TripAdvisor.
Southern Sun Triumphs at the 2025 Booking.com Traveller Review Awards
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.
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.
Hotel Sustainability Basics Program
Southern Sun Abu Dhabi are proud to be the recipient of the Hotel Sustainability Basics Program, issued by the World Travel & Tourism Council in partnership with the Department of Culture & Tourism (DCT Abu Dhabi) in November 2023. Southern Sun Abu Dhabi have successfully achieved 8 of the 12 criteria, which are grouped into three areas, namely Efficiency, Planet and People.
Southern Sun Abu Dhabi are proud to be the recipient of the Hotel Sustainability Basics Program, issued by the World Travel & Tourism Council in partnership with the Department of Culture & Tourism (DCT Abu Dhabi) in November 2023. Southern Sun Abu Dhabi have successfully achieved 8 of the 12 criteria, which are grouped into three areas, namely Efficiency, Planet and People.
General Manager Pierre Delfau said “ Delighted to achieve the 1st level and this came at an important time with the UAE host COP 28” We look forward to playing our part for a better tomorrow!
Southern Sun Abu Dhabi are committed to sustainability and will continue to improve on our efforts in this regard to attain the next level of this sustainability programme.
Traveller Review Awards 2024
Southern Sun Abu Dhabi has been awarded a Traveller Review Awards 2024.Traveller Review Awards 2024 are awarded to hotels that went above and beyond to help travellers create lasting memories and have received an average review score between 8 and 10 on reviews left by Booking.com travellers.
Travellers' Choice Award 2022
Southern Sun Abu Dhabi is a proud recipient of the 2022 Travellers' Choice Award. TripAdvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to hotels that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on TripAdvisor.
Travellers' Choice Award 2021
Southern Sun Abu Dhabi is a proud recipient of the 2021 Travellers' Choice Award. TripAdvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to hotels that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on TripAdvisor.
Travellers' Choice Award 2020
Southern Sun Abu Dhabi is a proud recipient of the 2020 Travellers' Choice Award. TripAdvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to hotels that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on TripAdvisor.
Certificate of Excellence 2019
Southern Sun Abu Dhabi has been awarded the 2019 Certificate of Excellence.
Travellers' Choice Award 2019
Winner in the TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Award 2019. In the Value For Money Category in the Regions of United Arab Emirates
Certificate of Excellence 2018
Southern Sun Abu Dhabi is a proud recipient of a 2018 Certificate of Excellence award. This coveted accolade recognizes businesses with consistently high ratings on TripAdvisor.
Travellers' Choice Award 2018
Winner in the TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Award 2018. In the Value For Money Category in the Regions of Middle East and United Arab Emirates
Certificate of Excellence 2017
Southern Sun Abu Dhabi has been selected for the 2017 Certificate of Excellence award in the accommodation category.
Recognition of Excellence 2016
Southern Sun Abu Dhabi has been awarded the HotelsCombined Recognition of Excellence for 2016!
Certificate of Excellence 2016
Southern Sun Abu Dhabi has been selected for the 2016 Certificate of Excellence for superior service.
Travellers' Choice Award 2016
Winner in the TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice 2016, in the Bargain Hotels category in the region, Middle East.
Travellers' Choice Award 2016
Winner in the TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice 2016, in the Bargain Hotels category in the region, United Arab Emirates.
Travellers' Choice Award 2016
Winner in the TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice 2016, in the BestService Hotels category in the region, United Arab Emirates.
