A new landmark in Umhlanga Ridge - the R400 million Coastlands Gatemax mixed-used property development - opened the doors to its luxurious four-star hotel component last Friday, rousing competition in Durban's resurgent hotel industry.

The 124-room hotel - dubbed Coastlands Umhlanga Hotel and Convention Centre - was developed by Durban property mogul Saantha Naidu. It is the second new hotel to be opened within the last year by his holding company, the Saantha Naidu Group (SNG).

It forms the anchor part of the gleaming black-glass facade Gate-max building, which includes 3 000m2 of A-grade office space and 2 000m2 of retail.

It boasts sea views from a prime position on Umhlanga Rocks Drive near Gateway shopping centre, and is the biggest investment in a hotel development in Durban since the Hilton Hotel in 1997.

Naidu said the Umhlanga hotel was a flagship edition to the group's burgeoning hospitality subsidiary Coastlands Hotels and Resorts.

Last November, it opened the R100m Coastlands on the Ridge |Hotel in Overport and has secured the tender to build a new 224-room hotel adjacent to Durban's Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre.
 "I am tremendously excited about the opening of our latest hotel property venture in Umhlanga - the corporate hub of Durban. I believe it is one of the best hotels in the city. We have had incredible feedback from people who have seen Coastlands Umhlanga and the kind of offering we are bringing to Durban," said Naidu.
Municipal manager Michael Sutcliffe welcomed the new hotel during a VIP dinner marking its launch on Friday. He said it would shake up the local hotel industry with the affordability it was offering for such an upmarket hotel.
 
"This is a magnificent hotel investment for Durban, which is sure to make the other more established hotel brands sit up and take notice. It also shows what black business people can do in Durban," said Sutcliffe.
Naidu said the hotel had a glitzy New York look and feel, which would give a new edge to Umhlanga.

 "This area is the Sandton of Durban. It is not only a business hub, but a burgeoning tourism hub. We foresee Umhlanga Ridge becoming a pedestrian-friendly 24-hour leisure, entertainment and business hub. Coastlands Umhlanga is the glitzy new addition that will play a part in making this happen," he said.

Naidu said the hotel was five-star in quality and service, but pegged four-star to be more affordable in the cash-conscious, post-recession global economy.
 
"With Coastlands Umhlanga, we are targeting mainly the business tourism and corporate market, considering its location. On the weekends the leisure tourist market will be important. In both these markets, the effects of the recession are seeing tourists look at more affordable accommodation offerings.

 "This hotel is in a prime Umhlanga location, close to corporate headquarters and Gateway, and midway between the Durban city centre and KZN's new King Shaka International Airport. We expect good business going forward as the economy picks up and the exposure from the World Cup boosts future foreign tourist numbers," he said.

The Mercury, Network Supplement
November 17, 2010 Edition 1
Suren Naidoo