Hyatt Regency hotel opens in Oubaai

The resort is the second Hyatt property in South Africa, joining Hyatt Regency Johannesburg, which opened as a Hyatt hotel in October 1995.

The luxury Hyatt Regency hotel at Oubaai golf resort at Herolds Bay was officially opened on Monday night at a glittering function attended by international and local dignitaries, golfer Ernie Els and stakeholders.

The 100-room Hyatt Regency Oubaai Golf Resort and Spa is part of the 263-hectare Oubaai Golf Resort, an upscale residential and golf development overlooking the Indian Ocean on Herolds Bay. Located on the Garden Route, which extends along the Western Cape from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth, the development also features the country’s first Ernie Els championship golf course. Located five minutes from George Airport in an area renowned for its pristine beaches, indigenous forests and nature reserves, the hotel’s position between the ocean and the majestic Outeniqua Mountains naturally lent itself to the development of an exclusive resort. In addition to the Hyatt Regency, the property will also consist of residential villas and apartments, and an upscale shopping center.

The land for the resort was bought in 2000 after Karafi Holdings Africa managing director Mahmood Shehata saw the property while on holiday in Herolds Bay.

“I told Mr Karafi about this piece of real estate and he said to buy it, even though we had no plans for the property at the time. A year later we met Ernie Els, and with his vision and our vision we made it come true.”

More than 1500 people were employed in the construction of the resort and hotel and 350 people are now permanently employed there.

Hyatt Hotels’ senior vice- president of operations Europe, Middle East and Africa, Frank Lavey, said he was proud and delighted to open the hotel to the public.

“It is a truly stunning facility and a world-class golf resort. I am thrilled to have fulfilled the operation role here.”

The hotel forms part of the 263ha Oubaai golf resort.

Accommodation and Design
Leading firms, including QTS – Quadtrisir Architects and LLP – Design, were selected to handle the interior design of Hyatt Regency Oubaai Golf Resort and Spa. The hotel offers 100 stylish guestrooms and suites equipped with the latest in communication and entertainment technology, all featuring spacious bathrooms with glass-enclosed showers and separate baths.

The Presidential Suite, two Executive Suites and six Junior Suites are designed and furnished to accommodate the requirements of a discerning traveler.

Room sizes range from 45 to 54 sq m (440 to 530 sq ft) for standard rooms. Junior Suites begin at 96 sq m (870 sq ft to 1,080 sq ft), the Executive Suites are 120 sq m (1,300 sq ft) and the Presidential Suite is an impressive 191 sq m (1,700 sq ft).

For guests who desire an extra level of personalized service, the hotel offers Regency ClubTM accommodation. Regency Club guests may utilize the services of a dedicated concierge, and enjoy a private lounge for complimentary continental breakfast, evening canapés and cocktails. Regency Club guests will also receive complimentary access to the airport lounge.

Resort Services and Facilities
Freesia Spa at Hyatt Regency Oubaai is a new addition to the collection of Hyatt PureTM spas around the world, which are all designed to embrace the local culture and provide an authentic indigenous experience. Returning to the true definition of spa, “sanitas per aquas”, which is Latin for “healing by waters”, treatments and services promote wellness and renewal. The hotel also features a state-of-the-art fitness facility.

Hyatt Regency Oubaai Golf Resort and Spa offers guests a range of first-class services, including airport transfers on request, concierge assistance, babysitting by prior arrangement, 24-hour room service, a business center, wireless Internet access in public areas, and a dedicated retail center.

Food and Beverage
Guests of the hotel will have a choice of three restaurants, each offering a distinctive and personal dining experience. The hotel’s Cucina Restaurant, featuring picturesque floor-to-ceiling windows, a show kitchen, and outdoor seating, serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. A large wine wall accents the private dining room, and a fireplace lounge, adjacent to the restaurant, offers seating and cocktails.

Located in the village of the resort, the Waterside Bar and Grill serves afternoon snacks as well as drinks and dinner. The bustling atmosphere here covers an extensive outdoor seating area, a show kitchen, and an oyster bar counter. A lounge adjacent to the seafood restaurant will offer cozy seating arrangements, an outdoor terrace and a unique bar, with service available from indoors and out.

The Visitors’ Clubhouse provides a scenic dining option for breakfast and lunch, with windows providing stunning views over the mountains and the driving range.

Convention and Meeting Facilities
The hotel offers more than 1,200 sq m (12,900 sq ft) of conference and banqueting space with a ballroom divisible into two sections, four meeting rooms, and a spacious boardroom. There are indoor and outdoor pre-function areas as well as multimedia facilities with WiFi connectivity available in all meeting rooms.

A unique feature of Hyatt Regency Oubaai Golf Resort and Spa is a wedding chapel for guests who seek a perfect, picturesque location in which to be married.

Recreation and Relaxation
Oubaai is a naturally undisturbed site nestled in the heart of South Africa’s Garden Route. Once the site of a prehistoric settlement, it is bordered on one side by a river valley, on one side by the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean, and on its two other sides by woodland and natural vegetation.

Guests can take advantage of the hotel’s location by surfing and fishing in the crystal clear waters of Herolds Bay Beach and exploring the Oubaai Heritage trail, which offers more than 5 miles of hiking trails.

The resort also features an outdoor swimming pool, a separate children’s wading pool and access to the Lifestyle Centre, which includes a tennis court, two outdoor swimming pools, including a heated lap pool, a squash court, and an exercise facility and studio for group classes.

Other activities to enjoy include bird watching, dolphin and whale watching from the on-site deck, and tours to nearby wineries.

The development features the first Ernie Els signature golf course in South Africa. The 7,126 yd (6,516 m) 18-hole links-style golf course was completed four years ago and is fully operational. In the design, the three-time winner of major championships, Ernie Els, and his team have taken full advantage of the spectacular landscape. Furthermore, they had the full support of Nicklaus Design, the privately held company of golf legend Jack Nicklaus and family, which served as technical advisor on the project.

Special opening rates and packages for the new Hyatt Regency Oubaai Golf Resort and Spa are available by calling the hotel or a Hyatt Worldwide Reservations Center, or by visiting www.hyatt.com.

Resort Address and Contact Information
Hyatt Regency Oubaai Golf Resort and Spa
406 Herolds Bay Road
George, 6530
South Africa
Telephone: +27 44 851 1234
Website: www.oubaai.regency.hyatt.com