Brought to you by International Pairs – Race to Sun City
As the Race to Sun City draws closer to the grand finale, we go behind the scenes of the iconic Sun City Resort – the home of the International Pairs World Finals. From family-friendly fun to nightlife, golf access, and major upgrades, Sun City continues to evolve as one of Africa’s leading resort destinations.
We spoke to Mr. Brett Hoppe, General Manager of Sun City Resort, to get the inside scoop on what players and their families can expect when they arrive at this world-class venue.
🛏️ Q: Sun City is known for its range of accommodation options – could you give us an overview of what guests can expect when staying at the resort?
There’s no other resort in South Africa that has a wide variety of accommodation options like Sun City. If you’re looking for unsurpassed 5-star luxury, something to suit the whole family, or your own comfortable unit away from the crowds – we’ve got everything you need. Each hotel has its own unique style, character, and attractions.
A choice of hotels mean that guests can match their lifestyle requirements and budget to their accommodation, from the five-star The Palace and Cascades hotels to the three-star Cabanas, four-star Sun City hotel or the self-catering Vacation Club apartments. The newly built Lefika Villas, a new Sun Vacation Club oasis inspired by African heritage, open their luxurious doors to welcome their first guests in November 2023.
For the International Pairs South African Final, two accommodation types are available – each catering to a unique guest profile:
Sun City Hotel
- Vibrant, centrally located, and perfect for golfers and guests who enjoy nightlife, gaming, and easy access to restaurants and entertainment.
- Located near the Gary Player Golf Course, with walkable access to tournament action.
The Cabanas
- Budget-friendly, family-focused, and positioned near Waterworld, the Kamp Kwena Kids’ Zone, and outdoor activities.
- Offers a relaxed environment ideal for leisure travelers or players bringing their families along.
The Cascades
- Budget-friendly, family-focused, and positioned near Waterworld, the Kamp Kwena Kids’ Zone, and outdoor activities.
- Offers a relaxed environment ideal for leisure travelers or players bringing their families along.
See more info below
🌍 Q: What makes Sun City a unique destination for international and local visitors when it comes to accommodation?
The Sun City Resort is a jewel in Sun International’s crown. Every year, millions of visitors are attracted by its temperate climate and lush green beauty, surrounded by a craggy mountain backdrop and the nearby 55 000-hectare Pilanesberg National Park stocked with Africa’s big five.
Once you’ve settled into your accommodation, the fun-filled action starts and guests of all ages will love every moment of their stay.
No visit to Sun City is complete without a trip to Valley of Waves, the man-made water park set on a palm-fringed beach lapped by crystal water. Kids can get their kicks in the designated children’s area while adventure-seekers can take their pick of mild to wild rides – or just relax on a lounger while watching the waves.
Avid golfers have a choice of two 18-hole, Gary Player-designed world-class championship courses, both 72 par – the Gary Player Golf Course and the Lost City Golf Course, famous for the live Nile crocodiles on its 13th hole.
The magnificent Botanical Gardens are an attraction on their own, varying from a tropical rain forest to various indigenous landscapes, and guests can meander along paths of these forest habitats to view a wide range of bird and plant species.
Visitors can also view Africa’s big five at the adjacent Pilanesberg National Park, either from a vehicle, bicycle or quad bike; on foot with a tracker; or while floating across the land in a hot-air balloon flight at dawn. Experienced and novice riders can take a leisurely trip on horseback through a small section of the Letsatsing Game Park.
At Waterworld a man-made lake allows guests to parasail, canoe, jet-ski, wake board, windsurf, water-ski and much more, or simply enjoy a sundowner cruise.
The brave at heart can try an extreme adventure slide, alone or in tandem, at speeds of up to 120km per hour along a 2km long zip slide which stands 280m above the ground. Adrenalin seekers will also love Adrenalin Extreme, the adventure hub which comprises of a range of outdoor activities that includes Drift Trikes, Hovercrafts, the Accelerator and the Grizzly 4×4 Quad Challenge.
For bright lights and excitement, the colourful 24-hour casino has the latest slot machine technology and gaming tables of roulette, blackjack, poker, baccarat and punto banco, in a Las Vegas-style setting.
With ample dining choices, from fine dining at The Palace to grills at Legends and take-away options from pizza, to sushi, Indian, Asian and much more, every palate will be satisfied with foodie options.
The property boasts large swimming pools at each hotel, jogging trails, a parkrun trail that’s recently opened and is growing every week and floodlit tennis courts.
The mouth-watering breakfast at The Palace where we have partnered with Michelin-starred chef Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen to reimagine the Crystal Court at The Palace of the Lost City. This powerful fusion of culinary artistry and cultural storytelling brings a new level of sophistication to one of South Africa’s most iconic venues.
With this collaboration, we honour our country’s rich food traditions while introducing a globally inspired culinary experience for our guests, both local and international.
What you can expect:
• A curated à la carte tray menu, infused with nostalgia and storytelling, available as an optional add-on.
• A beautifully designed circular buffet station beneath The Palace’s iconic crystal chandelier, included for guests staying overnight.
• A revitalised dining space blending heritage décor with world-class design
🌟 Highlights for Race to Sun City guests:
- 🌊 Valley of Waves – A beach-style water park
- 🏌️♂️ Two championship golf courses designed by Gary Player
- 🎲 24-hour casino and nightlife
- 🛥️ Waterworld lake activities and sunset cruises
- 🦁 Big Five game drives in Pilanesberg National Park
- 🍽️ Dining from grills and sushi to street food
- 🏃♂️ Jogging trails, tennis, and the new parkrun trail
- 🧖♀️ Royal Spa at The Palace for wellness treatments
📍 A destination that truly caters to everyone – from competitors to their families and supporters.
🛎️ Q: How do the Cabanas and Sun City Hotel cater to different types of travelers, including golfers, families, and VIPs?
Cabanas is perfect for families looking for an active, kid-friendly holiday with budget flexibility. The relaxed environment and location near water activities and Kamp Kwena kids activity centre making the hotel a go-to for parents with young children.
Sun City Hotel is the resort’s heartbeat for nightlife, gaming, and business events. Golfers appreciate the proximity to the Gary Player Golf Course, while business travelers enjoy the convenience of on-site conference facilities. There are also dining options for a diverse audience with some of the cuisine offerings being Indian, American and Chinese. This hotel has night clubs for guests who enjoy a vibrant nightlife.
Cascades hotel is an elegant, deluxe hotel which offers a more serene and nature-focused luxury experience. It is ideal for those who want elegance without the bustle—perfect for romantic getaways or guests who appreciate beauty and calm. It provides easy access to the Maze and the Valley of Waves. It is within proximity to the Gary Player Golf Course.
The Palace is a world-class luxury destination. Its grandeur, privacy, and prestige make it a favourite among VIPs and luxury aficionados. The Palace has exclusive suites, personalized service, and fine dining. Golfers can also enjoy luxury golf experiences paired with first-class accommodations. The Royal Spa and gym facilities are also available for those in tune with their wellness. The Palace is closely located to the Lost City Golf Course.
Lets break it down for you:
| Hotel | Ideal For | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| The Cabanas | Families & leisure guests | Relaxed and affordable, close to Waterworld and Kamp Kwena. Perfect for fun, family-friendly stays. |
| Sun City Hotel | Golfers & active adults | Steps from the golf course, with nightlife, casino, and dining. Central and full of energy. |
| The Palace | VIPs & luxury travellers | 5-star elegance with fine dining, spa, and royal service. The ultimate luxury experience. |
| The Cascades | Couples & nature lovers | Lush gardens, tropical feel, and waterfalls. Peaceful atmosphere with easy access to entertainment. |
Q: We understand that several refurbishments have recently taken place at the resort. Can you tell us more about these upgrades?
Sun City is unique in that our reputation as a premier leisure and entertainment destination extends way beyond the borders of South Africa. But what few people appreciate is that to remain relevant after 45 years we have had to be acutely aware of changing trends, aspirations and market demands, and we have to be willing to respond to them.
Sun City is also the lifeblood of our region so when people check into our hotels, eat at our restaurants or swim at the Valley of Waves they are also supporting nearby communities.
To retain our reputation as a favourite resort destination, reinvestment is crucial.
Solar plant
Sunshine is something that Sun City has plenty of, so to address interruptions in energy supply and to reduce our carbon footprint, we began construction of our own solar plant. With two phases now completed, I look forward to us being less reliant on expensive and environmentally unfriendly diesel generators.
Sun Vacation Club: The Reserve
By the start of The Reserve’s third 10-year cycle in 2023, 90% of the units were already sold out. From July 2024, the 236 units at The Reserve will be refurbished. The upgrade began in July 2024 and is anticipated to take three years to complete.
Sun City Hotel
The Sun City hotel was the first hotel built at Sun City and so, has been in existence for 45 years. As part of ongoing product development and staying relevant, we are currently refurbishing the Sun City Hotel. The refurbishment will elevate the hotel and give it a fresh, contemporary look.
This refurbishment involves :
New attractions
We regularly review our attractions. With the recent resurgence of interest in tennis we have also upgraded our existing tennis courts, and we are extremely excited to announce that by the end of July 2024 Sun City has four international-standard Padel courts and tennis courts.
New retail
In the past it would have been difficult to attract popular urban brands to a resort like Sun City but now we have brands such as Carrol Boyes, Krispy Kreme, Ben’s Bubble Tea and even a Brix Lego Wonderland.
MICE market offering
Since the end of the pandemic the MICE market has rebounded with a vengeance. Sun City is the perfect destination for business tourism as the professionalism of our conferencing and events facilities can meet the highest end business demands, while our leisure offering is perfect for delegates during their downtime. To meet growing demand from this sector we also expanded our multi-purpose offering in 2024. More companies are able to endure state of the art conferences overlooking some amazing views of the Resort.
Q: For guests who aren’t playing golf during events like International Pairs, what other leisure or luxury experiences would you personally recommend?
The Royal Spa at The Palace, a luxurious wellness sanctuary has impressed guests since opening its doors at the end of 2022. Since it opened, the spa has impressed guests with the standard of the products and the sheer indulgence of its carefully curated treatment menu. Treatments range from massages to body wraps, skincare therapy and an Advanced Skin Clinic, which has up-to-the minute, world-leading skincare technologies, as well as basic maintenance such as waxing and tinting. This is ideal for the whole family.
Last year, The Royal Spa was the recipient of the prestigious Haute Grandeur Global Spa Award and received the international recognition in two separate categories – Best Hotel Spa and Best Spa Design in South Africa.
The guests also go on a game drive at the Pilanesberg National Park, where they will have the opportunity to see the Big 5. The game drives are very popular and take place twice per day – mainly in the morning and afternoon.
Q: What is one hidden gem or lesser-known detail about the resort you think more people should discover?
It is no doubt the Kings Tower at The Palace. It is one of the finest places to see the sunrise over the Pilanesberg! This highest point gives guests panoramic views of Sun City Resort. The King’s Tower can host private dinners or intimate cocktail parties or small dinner events, hosting up to 30 people in regal style.
This panoramic viewpoint is perfect for:
- Sunrise photography
- Private cocktail evenings
- VIP dinners
Discover more about the magic of the Sun City Resort here:
As the Race to Sun City gathers momentum, players can look forward to a world-class experience both on and off the course. With recently refurbished accommodation at Sun City Hotel and Cabanas, comfort and style await every finalist. Under Brett Hoppe’s leadership, Sun City continues to raise the bar – setting the stage for a spectacular International Pairs finale.
And if you didn’t qualify? You can still be part of the magic by entering the exclusive Ryder Experience, where amateurs from around the world compete under Ryder Cup legends on Sun City’s iconic courses.
Sun City is calling – will you answer?
