Love Tourism BKCOB

Establishment: Nahoon Eco Lodge:

‘My name is Gary Bradfield and I am the proud owner of Nahoon Eco Lodge.
My amazing partner, Jessica Bauer, and myself officially started operating the
Lodge in 2017. We since have been able to employ a wonderful team of staff
who is managed by our current manager Len Evans.

The Lodge came about as an investment project. I had always had a dream to start up a BnB but I
had a desire to create lodging with a different concept in mind. Being conscious of the environment I
thought to design it in such a way that businesses or individuals who are also environmentally
conscious could reduce their carbon footprint by staying at our Lodge.

The property was an old house that took two years to convert into accommodation offering 12
rooms and a dining room. It would take at least another year before we could start accepting our
first guests. The rooms are modern and neat, furnished with a fully equipped kitchenettes for all self-
catering needs. We also offer breakfast which can be served in the dining room or in the BnB rooms
as per request.

The Lodge has 10x 5 000 L rain water tanks, has gas geysers as well as a solar system installed.
Recycling is done within the parameters of what is available to do in South Africa. Guests are
encouraged to separate their tins and glass which the staff then sort out further for recycling.

In 2019 when the only-then rumoured level 5 lockdown became a reality we had to shut down the
establishment. Initially it was thought to only be approximately a month or two but during that time
we realised rates and taxes would still have to be paid and it was extremely difficult to find adequate
financial relief offered to the hospitality industry. We then decided the only alternative open to us
would be to rent the rooms out to semi-permanent tenants, essential workers who came to E.L on
short term contracts during the pandemic. We at least had peace of mind that our staff salaries were
covered for the first 3 months of COVID through the UIF, once they sorted their application process
out.

Slowly as the essential workers left during the different levels of lockdown, we slowly opened the
rooms again to those looking for accommodation on their way in and out of E.L, but business was
slow. We had hope that the influx of holiday makers for the December holidays would be the turning
point for us. Then came the devastating announcement that beaches would be closed during the
holidays, and therefore saw mass cancellations take place. We again had to close our establishment
and rent the rooms out to essential workers looking for short term accommodation.

COVID has affected many people in the hospitality industry. We had to put our staff on short time
indefinitely, and whilst we were fortunate to be able to keep our staff, many establishments have
not been so fortunate. Many have had to close their doors permanently. It is horrific to see the
effect this pandemic has had overall on job retention, and not only in the hospitality industry.

We have been extremely grateful that we have managed to keep our head above water thus far.
Although 2021 has slowly seen us gain momentum again, we are still looking forward to a time
where we can once more welcome travellers who are looking for central accommodation offering
quality service while reducing the impact on the environment. We always welcome local guests as
well as those who are just traveling through E.L. We hope to welcome you at Nahoon Eco Lodge.
Thank you to BKCOB for the opportunity to share our story.’

C: 079 596 0105 E: [email protected] W: www.nahoonecolodge.co.za.

Establishment: Dare to dream with City Lodge Hotels:

The Eastern Cape has it all, including the wonders of the Garden Route, game reserves featuring the
‘Big Five’, whale and shark sightings and the sardine run, Blue Flag beaches along the warm Indian
Ocean, exhilarating water and land sporting activities, and our country’s rich cultural heritage.
Whether travelling for business or leisure, to seek new opportunities or get away from it all, find
your next adrenaline rush or unwind, City Lodge Hotel Group has a hotel to suit your travel needs
and budget. Its six hotels across four brands in East London and Gqeberha (previously Port Elizabeth)
offer a total of 713 rooms, ranging from one-star to four-star.

Road Lodge East London on the corner of Cheltenham Road and Union Avenue, Selbourne has 90
rooms, swimming pool, restaurant that offers a light breakfast, and is headed up by general manager
Kurt Bruiners. Rates start at R725 per night per room, single or double occupancy, for room only.

Along a half-kilometre stretch of Beach Road in Summerstrand, just opposite popular Humewood
Beach and next to Boardwalk Casino and Resort, you are guaranteed to find a hotel that fits the bill
for your trip:
• Courtyard Port Elizabeth has 91 rooms split into studio, one- and two-bedroom units, each with

private access and kitchenette with fridge, microwave and coffee machine, iron and ironing
board. It also features an eight-seater boardroom (four-seater under covid-19 protocols),
conference facilities for 50 guests (12 under covid-19 protocols), fitness room, swimming pool,
Club Lounge and a restaurant serving full English or Continental breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Erich Oberhauser is general manager and rates start at R1099 per night per room, single or
double occupancy, for room only.
• City Lodge Hotel Port Elizabeth has 147 rooms, a 12-seater boardroom (six-seater under covid-
19 protocols), signature #Café restaurant serving full breakfast, lunch and dinner, sundowner
bar, swimming pool and fitness room. Adrian Worthington is general manager and rates start at
R899 per night per room, single or double occupancy, for room only.
• Town Lodge Port Elizabeth has 203 rooms, a 14-seater boardroom (seats six under covid-19
protocols), restaurant offering full English or Continental breakfast and light meals, swimming
pool and sundowner bar. Glenn Pappin is general manager and rates start at R799 per night per
room, single or double occupancy, for room only.
• Road Lodge Port Elizabeth has 92 rooms and offers a light breakfast. Mduduzi Mnyakeni is
general manager.

For travellers needing the convenience of staying just 150m from the terminal building, Road Lodge
Port Elizabeth Airport with 90 rooms is the ideal choice. A light breakfast is offered and guests of all
ages will enjoy taking a tip in the swimming pool. Mark Odendaal is general manager.

During the lockdown and subsequent easing thereof, City Lodge Hotel Group has been busy
improving its offering with initiatives that benefit guests and the environment:
• Contactless features limit touchpoints during a guest’s stay, and include fast and friendly online

check-in and easy-to-use QR codes that replace shared menus.
• Guest rooms may now be booked as #YourPrivateOffice for people needing a peaceful, quiet

workspace. The spacious work desk with good lighting and plug points that come standard in
each room are set up conference-style and rooms may be booked for several hours a day at a
special rate that is inclusive of tea and coffee making facilities (snacks and meals for an
additional modest fee), secure parking, fast and reliable WiFi, and air conditioning.
• Bathrooms are now home to a new range of environmentally-friendly amenities that are part of
the group’s sustainability journey to remove single-use plastic from guest rooms. Zero Bar hair
and body bar (made using no water and replacing liquid shampoo and body wash), hand bar,
body cream and shower cap are now made and packaged without plastic flow wraps, plastic
bottles and caps, and are neatly boxed in Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified cardboard
packaging that is recyclable.
• Guests can also stay hydrated during their stay quickly and easily by making use of the hydration
stations that offer free magnesium-enriched filter water.

Lindiwe Sangweni-Siddo, chief operating officer, says,

“Whether you’re connecting with your clients, taking the family on holiday to
the seaside, or ticking off items on your ‘Bucket List’, you’ll need a hotel that is
tip-top, loving and clean and that is what we offer. With Covid-19 protocols
strictly adhered to front and back of house in our hotels, ensuring guests and



Establishment: River Hotels

River Hotels is a proudly South African hotel group. Our hotels offer a taste of all our beautiful
country has to offer. Visit the remotely situated Tenahead Lodge & Spa on the border of Lesotho,
the “Highest Mountain Lodge in South Africa”, for an experience that will literally see you on top of
the world – 2500m above sea level.
The endless mountains and views will leave you breathless.

- Matingwe Lodge, in Limpopo, offers a truly South African safari experience. With
the Big 5 on your doorstep, you will be guaranteed a wild adventure.

- Tsitsikamma Lodge & Spa, along the Garden Route, will have you coming back for
more. The unique log cabins, with spa baths and private braai facilities, are the most
prominent feature. Tsitsikamma is well-known for their hiking trails, particularly the
Striptease Trail!

- The Halyards Hotel & Spa is situated on the Royal Alfred Marina in Port Alfred, on
the Sunshine Coast. The sunset views from the hotel are more than selfie worthy.
The food is good and the spa treatments heavenly.

- Mansfield Game Reserve is also located in Port Alfred, a little drive out of town.
There are both indoor and outdoor self-catering accommodation options at
Mansfield. The tree-top platforms appeal to young outdoor enthusiasts! Day
visitors are also welcome here. There are designated picnic and braai spots, a kids
play area and swimming pool, that make for a fun day out with family or friends.

Click on our logo to browse our website. For queries and bookings, call 0861 748 374 or send a mail
to [email protected].

We cannot wait to host you!

https://riverhotels.com/

Establishment: Blue Lagoon Hotel and Conference Centre

We as the Blue Lagoon Hotel, as with many establishments in the tourism and hospitality industry in
South Africa, continue to experience the adverse impact of the Covid 19 pandemic.

The announcement of the National level 5 lockdown in 2020, still resonates in our minds, as we did
not and could not comprehend the devastating ripple effect that was to come.
Like many, we experienced challenges internally and externally as a business.

We kept our doors “partially” open, strictly adhering to all Covid 19 regulations, and offered our
accommodation services to essential workers. Staff members were on short-time on UIF, and few
skeleton staff members were on duty during that time.

“According to the Tourism, 2020 report released by Statistics South Africa, foreign arrivals
dropped by 71% from just over 15, 8million in 2019 to less than 5 million in 2020. It is evident
that the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the tourism industry quite hard around the world and
in South Africa, mainly due to the lockdown and travel restrictions that were imposed.”

As we continue to adapt and adjust to the ever changing “new normal”, we invite you to join us and
discover another world, just steps away from the pristine and beautiful Nahoon Beach. The
unpretentious and uncomplicated beauty of the perfect view and breath-taking sunsets is what you
will find the Blue Lagoon Hotel is all about. If you are searching for tranquillity and seclusion from
the bustle of city life, then embrace the simplicity of life’s wonders with us.
The Blue Lagoon Hotel lies nestled in an indigenous, sub-tropical foliage and is easily accessible for
you to reach all major routes within East London.

Our Hotel also features intimate meeting and function venues for you to enjoy. We also offer
complimentary Wi-Fi and friendly hospitality. A delightful blend of stylish garden facing hotel rooms,
or modern luxury two-bedroom lagoon facing apartments with easy access to the river and beaches
is on offer. There is also a ladies’ floor available for the discerning businesswoman travelling alone
who would like the comfort of added security and privacy.

Apart from the Hotels beautiful accommodation, we offer you the Highlander Restaurant and Bar.
The restaurant is available for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and has an enviable reputation for food
that roars with flavour. Our Highlander Bar boasts the most breath-taking views of the picturesque
Nahoon river. So, whether you are a guest at The Blue Lagoon Hotel, or simply want to enjoy your
favourite brew or a refreshing cocktail while you watch the most glorious sunsets, you will feel at
home here with us. So why don’t you escape and discover a tranquil beach destination and
experience relaxation, comfort and value.



We as the Blue Lagoon Hotel encourage you to remain positive during these adversities we are faced
with, learn what we can, improve on what we have, and most importantly, grow from this
experience.
The Blue Lagoon Hotel is appreciative to have received your valued support, locally and nationally,
from both private and public sectors, and ask that you continue to do so.

Please keep safe, follow regulations, and sanitize constantly.

We hope to welcome you soon, again.

Warm Regards,
The Blue Lagoon Hotel
Please contact us for reservations on:
Tel: (+27) 43 748 4821
Email: [email protected]
Visit: www.bluelagoonhote.co.za
Follow us social media: @bluelagoonel