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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.

With just over a week to the first centre pass of the Netball World Cup 2023 (NWC2023) in Cape Town, the Local Organising Committee and World Netball are pleased to announce the addition of a further wave of sponsors and partners, fuelling excitement and anticipation ahead of the global sporting spectacle.

In an overwhelming display of support for the world’s pinnacle netball event, a multitude of new sponsors have thrown their support behind the NWC2023, which is being held on the African continent for the first time.

The NWC2023 is set to take place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre from 28th July to 6th August, bringing together 16 teams from across the globe in a contest for the sport’s ultimate prize.

The new partners are:

Hollywoodbets: Official betting partner of Netball World Cup 2023
Red Bull: Official energy drink supplier of Netball World Cup 2023
Southern Sun: Official hotel partner of Netball World Cup 2023
Woodlands Dairy – First Choice: Official hydration & recovery supplier of Netball World Cup 2023
Mitchum: Official deodorant supplier of Netball World Cup 2023
Bloc Footwear: Official supplier of Netball World Cup 2023 Volunteers

Tournament Director for the NWC2023 Priscilla Masisi said: “We are thrilled to welcome all these new partners onboard.

“Netball is a team sport after all, and we are delighted to have them as an integral part of our team.

“Partnerships like these are essential to the tournament’s success, and beyond that, to the growth and recognition of netball and women’s sport as a whole.

“As we look forward to 10 days of incredible action in Cape Town, we extend our heartfelt thanks to all our sponsors and partners who are making this all possible.”

World Netball CEO, Clare Briegal added: “We are excited to have Hollywoodbets, Red Bull, Mitchum, Woodlands Diary, and Bloc onboard for the Netball World Cup 2023.

“We are now just days away from the start of our pinnacle event in Cape Town.

“Our roster of partners and sponsors, including our premium partners Telkom and SPAR, official hotel partner Southern Sun and our official ball supplier, Gilbert will help to ensure that NWC2023 is a huge success, helping us increase global participation, reach, revenue and capacity.

“We’re delighted to celebrate this family of sponsors, who help to make this the most successful sponsorship programme ever for a Netball World Cup; thank you to them all.”

Devin Heffer, Brand and Communication Manager at Hollywoodbets said: “We as Hollywoodbets are extremely excited about partnering with this year’s Netball World Cup, which will be staged in the beautiful City of Cape Town.

“We look forward to leveraging this sponsorship, not only in exposure for our Purple brand, but in being able to further invest into the sport of Netball at development and grassroots levels.

“We are expecting a highly competitive tournament and will be offering a fantastic array of betting options on every match. The organisers have promoted this tournament incredibly well over the past 12 months, and we can’t wait to witness the world’s best right here in our home country!”

Candy Tothill, Head of Marketing for Southern Sun, said: “We’re delighted to be the Official Hotel Partner of the Netball World Cup 2023 and extend our signature hospitality to teams from across the globe as we welcome this auspicious event to Cape Town, South Africa.

“Over 50 years of hospitality and exceptional service with flair have made Southern Sun the Official Hotel Partner to the likes of the 1995 Rugby World Cup, the 2010 FIFA World Cup, and the 2022 World Cup Rugby Sevens – and now it is with great pride that we host the Netball World Cup 2023 at our world-class hotels.”

Thulile Memela, Brand Manager at Woodlands Dairy – First Choice said: “As Woodlands Dairy we are so delighted to be a part of this prestigious tournament.

“First Choice High Protein Recovery will aid to assist the athletes to Push Past Possible.

“The Netball World Cup brings together national teams from across the globe to compete at the highest level of netball excellence and serves as a platform to celebrate the remarkable talent and achievements of female athletes in the sport.

“The athletes are taking up space on the Africa soil. We are proud!”

Red Bull South Africa said: “We are thrilled to be the official energy sponsor for the Netball World Cup. As a brand that is passionate about giving wings to people and ideas, our partnership with the Netball World Cup reaffirms our dedication to empowering athletes and enhancing sporting experiences worldwide.

“As an energy drink that fuels performance and celebrates the spirit of competition, Red Bull aligns perfectly with the dynamic and exhilarating nature of netball.

“We wish teams all the best and hope they get to celebrate and experience the spirit of Mzansi.”

Heather Goate, Marketing Director at Revlon South Africa where Mitchum is one of the organisation’s portfolio brands said: “Our partnership with the Netball World Cup 2023 marks a significant milestone for Mitchum South Africa as we align ourselves with one of the most prestigious sporting events in the world.

“We are excited to support the exceptional athletes competing at the tournament and to contribute to the growth and recognition of women’s sports globally. Through our official deodorant sponsorship, we aim to inspire individuals to embrace an active lifestyle, celebrate their achievements, and reach for new heights.”

Gift Sithole, Founder and CEO at Bloc Footwear added: “The partnership between Bloc Footwear and the Netball World Cup aims to celebrate and elevate the sport of netball, which has captivated audiences worldwide with its athleticism, skill, and teamwork. By joining forces, both entities seek to foster the growth and development of netball, while inspiring young athletes to excel in their passion for the game.”