One of South Africa's first liquor-free hotels already has bookings from World Cup soccer fans days before its official opening.
The R307-million Coral International, at the corner of Wale and Buitengracht streets in Cape Town, will be opened officially this week. The hotel is set to be inaugurated by Coral International group owner Sheikh Faisal bin Sultan Al Qassimi during a gala dinner organised by fashion designer and events co-ordinator Gavin Rajah.
Although no alcohol will be allowed in any of the 137 Arabian-styled rooms or sold at the hotel restaurants, those who enjoy alcoholic beverages elsewhere won't be turned away.
The hotel boasts three unique north Indian restaurants, several meeting rooms and prayer rooms for men and women. On arrival, guests are offered Arabic coffee and dates.
Hotel staff and porters are dressed in Arab attire designed and made by a group of women from the Bo-Kaap.
Speaking ahead of the opening, Hamza Farooqui, chief executive of Cii Holdings, the company that owns the Coral International in the city, said the hotel symbolised the spirit and substance of South Africa's many cultures.
"It is the start of a massive expansion strategy into Africa, with Cii Holdings opening 20 more hotels on the continent within the next five years," he said.
Jacqui Booyzen, the hotel's general manager, said they had several confirmed bookings for the World Cup.
"We are happy to bring for the first time to South Africa a truly authentic experience of Arabian hospitality combined with world-class modern facilities," she said.
Booyzen said too many hotels were built without adequate forethought of the neighbouring community. "We have already started working with the community of the Bo-Kaap and will continue to work with them into the future."
The hotel's biggest challenge was to transfer the unique Middle-Eastern skills to the local staff, said Coral International director Usman Ahmed. "We are training the staff... and they are learning fast," he said.
Coral Hotels and Resorts is the first Gulf hotel brand to venture into the South African market.
A member of the Hospitality Management Holdings, the Coral group is a five-star brand. Its headquarters are in Dubai, with hotels and resorts spread across the Middle East and Africa.
