Tusk Umfolozi transformed

Peermont Hotels Casino Resorts officially launched the rebranded and renamed Umfolozi Hotel Casino Convention Resort earlier this week, following a R115-million makeover of the original Tusk Umfolozi. The newly refurbished destination resort is 15km from Richards Bay.

The Umfolozi Resort is a modern celebration of Zulu culture and offers residents and visitors to the uMhlathuze Region a new variety of entertainment, hospitality and conferencing facilities.

“The resort retains its African identity and culture with a new, contemporary design theme incorporated into all aspects of the resort, from logo to room design,” says Mark Jakins, chief operations officer of online operations and group marketing.

The redevelopment includes the introduction of new venues and facilities, including a three-star Peermont Metcourt hotel, convention centre, restaurants and an outdoor domed events venue and corporate or family action park for team building and parties.

New additions include the refurbished salon priv with 30 slot machines and three gaming tables (roulette, texas hold ‘em poker and blackjack) and the Umfolozi casino smoking section. Guests have direct access to the new salon priv which is adjacent to the gaming floor, with exclusive parking for priv guests. The main casino has a total of 267 slot machines and 12 tables in play with upgraded cashier booths and casino interiors.

The new three-star Peermont Metcourt Hotel features 44 select services rooms; 20 classic king rooms, 12 superior twin rooms, seven superior king rooms, three suites and one special assistance room.

Dining facilities include F.L.A.G Caf, which serves buffet breakfast; Sugar Room bar and lounge that screens live sporting events and music; and the Umoja Bistro where guests can enjoy a al cart dining and a deli serving light meals and snacks.

Hotel facilities also include secure parking, swimming pool, and wireless internet access in public areas. Opening rates valid until 30 April 2011 start at R250 per person per night sharing or R395 for a single room.

The new state-of-the-art conference centre can accommodate 200 people, with a multi-purpose arena able to accommodate up to 450 delegates, plus two breakaway rooms available. A new addition is the Khikizela Action Park, a corporate event facility which includes a climbing wall plus two air-filled corporate action features called “face-off” and “mini-swing”, which are ideal for corporate functions and team-building sessions.

GM of Umfolozi Resort is Herman Brits. He says: “The addition of a new Peermont Metcourt hotel, conference centre and a multi-purpose events arena to our upgraded casino complex will provide guests with progressive and inexpensive accommodation, as well as much-needed meeting and entertainment facilities in the Richards Bay and Empangeni areas of northern KwaZulu-Natal.”