Hundreds of jobs created as Sun City Hotel reopens ahead of golf challenge
Sun City Hotel’s refurbishment employed 550 local workers and sourced materials from local suppliers.
Image: Supplied
Hundreds of local jobs were created as part of a R350 million refurbishment of Sun City Hotel, which has reopened just ahead of the 2025 Nedbank Golf Challenge. At its peak, 550 workers were employed on-site, and many materials were sourced from local suppliers, supporting the North West Province’s economy.
General manager Brett Hoppé, referring to the hotel as the “grand old lady,” said the refurbishment was both a restoration and an update. “From the day Sun City first opened its doors, South Africans have streamed through them,” he said. “With 46 years behind us, we knew we had to restore it to its former glory, promising the glamour of Vegas balanced with world-class family leisure and entertainment.”
Sun City Hotel reopens ahead of the 2025 Nedbank Golf Challenge, creating hundreds of local jobs.
Image: Supplied
The majority of the hotel’s 350 rooms are expected to be ready by November. They include contemporary bathrooms, coffee bars, king-sized beds, and terraces overlooking the pool and the 18-hole Gary Player Golf Course.
Ryan Ilgner, director at interior design firm Solebi-Blacksmith, said the redesign incorporates Tswana cultural elements. “Drawing inspiration from Tswana artistry, the new interior design features bold geometric motifs that echo the intricate patterns found in the newly renovated guest rooms. These rich visual elements serve as a subtle yet powerful tribute to the region’s cultural identity, grounding the modern space in authenticity and storytelling.”
The renovation also covered the hotel’s entrance, lobby, Sun Terrace restaurant, and pool area. The restaurant now has retractable glass doors and a live cooking theatre, while the pool area includes a central staircase, DJ island, cabanas, and children’s play zones. Hoppé said the changes were designed to balance adult-oriented spaces with family leisure.
“Job creation is vital in light of the high unemployment rate in the North West Province,” Hoppé said, highlighting the local economic impact of the refurbishment.
Sun City remains a key destination in South Africa’s tourism sector. “Our biggest challenge is to keep it fresh with cutting-edge offerings,” Hoppé said. The updated rooms, restaurant, and pool area are expected to attract a new generation of guests while maintaining the hotel’s long-standing presence in the country’s leisure and entertainment landscape.