Hotel group acquires Free State mountain resort hotel

THE Brandwag hotel, situated in the well-known Golden Gate Highlands National Park near the eastern Free State town of Clarens, has joined the Protea Hotel portfolio. Renamed the Protea Hotel Golden Gate, this mountain resort is being managed and marketed by Protea Hotels as part of a 15-year management lease. "It's great to be able to offer this type of property as part of our group, with its superb location and mountain setting. This is our first property that can truly be called a 'mountain resort'," said Allan Duke, marketing services director for Protea Hotels. The resort targets a broad market, being diverse enough to appeal to domestic, international as well as group and conference sectors. Consisting of a 35 bed-roomed hotel as well as 34 individual chalets, there is a total of 163 bedrooms. Renovated in 1997, the hotel offers a wide range of facilities and activities, such as horse-ridding, hiking, tennis and a host of other outdoor activities. This 'Swiss-styled' hotel is easily accessible from Bloemfontein, Durban and Johannesburg. As with immediate effect, reservations have been redirected from the National Parks to the Protea Hotels central reservations number: 0861 119000 or directly through to the resort: 058 2550012. (Adéle Mackenzie)