Bay hotel has a rich heritage

KNOWN as one of the oldest hotels in Zululand, Premier Hotel The Richards has become a landmark in the city, synonymous with holding treasured memories for generations of families.

Bought by independent South African hotel group Premier Hotels & Resorts in 2015, the hotel brings back nostalgic memories for many who have visited the establishment over the years on holidays, weekend getaways or to mark special occasions such as weddings, birthdays, celebratory events or just a Sunday lunch tradition with family and friends.

Established in 1928, the hotel’s history portfolio shows flashbacks of the hotel’s milestones, renovations and upgrades, with the pricing of a dinner, bed and breakfast dating back to the 1950s costing only R3.13.

The three rondavels built in 1952 are still in use today, and were modified for modern times.

While the hotel has changed ownership several times, it has seen numerous facility improvements and the building going up a floor higher in 2008, the colour of the building has remained the same, known as ‘the big white building’ over the years.

The hotel’s General Manager Jaco Steyn said the establishment has undergone intensive upgrades over the years and plans are in the pipeline for an additional conference facility to accommodate a 500-seater venue.

‘Industrial tourism is actively promoted in this region and groups are able to visit the industrial plants, mines and other operations.

‘Our services have evolved to keep up with the changing times and the corporate sphere has truly capitalised on our conferencing and accommodation facilities, as the establishment has both options.

‘The Richards offers 135 comfortable rooms and one of the drawcards is the state-of-the-art conference facilities.

‘The conference venues are ideal for product launches, seminars or corporate events.

‘The hotel has continued on its path of excellence, scooping several awards from the Zululand Commerce of Industry (ZCCI), and earlier this year one of the weddings at our venue was aired on the South African reality show, Our Perfect Wedding.

‘After the episode was aired we received numerous enquiries and can boast that bookings for our wedding season, which usually takes off from September to the beginning of the following year, are fast filling up with bookings for every Saturday of the month,’ said Steyn.

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