Powering up The Palace

Freshly installed General Manager Nico Myburgh has earmarked ushering The Palace into a new era as his primary target. Myburgh is no stranger to Sun International’s premier property, having been part of the team for 12 years. He returns as general manager with a clear brief: to reposition The Palace as a deluxe six-star hotel.

Myburgh’s mission will be made somewhat simpler as the icon of African luxury is in rude health after extensive refurbishments were completed in November 2022. The addition of the world-class Royal Spa and Salon, with its six individual treatment rooms and three palatial suites, comprehensive refresh of its 326 rooms and suites, and new gym, equipped with free weights, resistance machines, treadmills, and stationary cycles, has already resulted in higher occupancy rates.

Prior to this assignment, he was part of the team who led The Table Bay hotel through the COVID-19 pandemic at a time of great uncertainty. Myburgh believes he has the right combination of passion and a strong work ethic to make a success of the role. Combined with the full support of staff, it’s a potent winning formula.

‘Passionate about the property’

“I have a 12-year history with the hotel. I’m passionate about the property and my people. I love dealing with customers. I always say I may not be able to travel 365 days a year, but I’m amazed at the people who come through our doors and their experiences,” says Myburgh.

An industry veteran, he is not fazed by the responsibility of running such a large and important property. “I have the full support of our leaders. They have great faith in me, having seen me work over the past 12 years,” he maintains.

The Palace was an easy sell for him, owing to the resort’s rich history that has put it on bucket lists of guests from all over the globe. Sun City Resort has played host to the biggest events in the world, from international musical performances and Hollywood movie productions to the glittering Miss World pageant, as well as spectacular conferences.

The iconic hotel, with its trademark minarets, appeals to guests across different age groups, he explains. There is something for everyone, from small children and young couples to grandparents, to see and do at The Palace, he says. His team’s job is to ensure they live up to and go beyond the expectations of every traveler who makes the trip to Sun City and stays at The Palace.

“The Palace is an iconic hotel. It’s always been a flagship, not only for Sun International, but for the country as well. It is known worldwide as a spectacular hotel. I have a soft spot for the property. When people walk into the lobby, they are amazed as they look up to the beautiful architecture and hand painted ceilings. It is a stunning property at an even more amazing location, and it was an easy transition returning to the hotel. I love it!” smiles Myburgh.

His leadership comes at a difficult time in the hospitality sector, with the business still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. Before lockdown, up to 90% of guests were foreign travelers to the Palace. With borders at the time closed, South African leisure and business travelers went back to the resort in droves, making it the local travel destination of choice.  

Despite the difficulties, Myburgh is convinced that it is on an upward trajectory. International leisure travel and conferencing are also picking up nicely, he says.

Unique guest experience

To ensure a unique experience for each guest, Myburgh’s team works around the clock. It does not matter whether you are a former Miss SA, a billionaire, an Oscar-winning actor or an average Joe – you’re in for a treat at The Palace, he explains. In a 326-room hotel that receives thousands of guests each month, this is a huge undertaking. It’s of paramount importance to plan thoroughly and ensure that each day, you are executing against this foolproof plan, he explains.

“A typical day starts with a meeting with the team. We meet seven days a week, 365 days a year. We look at the daily business arrivals and events as well as how our in-house guests are enjoying their stay. The team then focuses on daily operational excellence in each department.”

As he charts the path to success, there’s one thing Myburgh is sure of: he can’t do it alone. He has duly empowered his 540-strong team to communicate openly and precisely to ensure faster service and avoid the need for troubleshooting.

To clear his mind and prepare himself for the job at hand, Myburgh exercises on Sun City’s award-winning golf courses, stays on trend by dining in various restaurants, goes on game drives in the Pilanesberg National Park and of course, treats himself to some retail therapy.