With its year-round temperate weather, unspoilt beaches, golf course, casino and water park, Wild Coast Sun in Port Edward remains a perennial favourite in the Sun International stable, and the Resort is constantly upgrading to ensure they are a family destination of excellence.
In the past year, the Resort has seen multi-millions spent on upgrades to new and existing facilities, following improvements made leading up to Wild Coast Sun being lifted from a three to a four-star resort, in 2020.
“We are always looking at new and exciting ways to thrill our guests, and this means refreshing dining options as well as making sure we provide great entertainment both indoors and outdoors,” said Wild Coast Sun General Manager, Peter Tshidi.
“Covid-19 is a distant memory as the Resort is seeing a better demand than 2019’s same peak period. Wild Coast Sun was already fully booked by October for the festive season, with a maximum capacity from 16 December 2022 to mid-January 2023, showing that you need to book early if you don’t want to miss out.”
The Magic Company upgrades, including first indoor Skypark in South Africa
The Magic Company, which operates the bowling alley, arcade games and kiddie rides, has invested R6,4-million in South Africa’s first indoor Skypark facility – ideal to boost adrenalin levels and tire out busy kids aged from age seven to 70. The structure, which is over 18 metres high, has 21 rope obstacles on a skytrail and a built-in zipline skyrail.
“Used by some of the world’s top family entertainment centres and cruise lines, the Skypark has world class safety features that prevent customers unhooking themselves during participation,” said Magic Company regional manager for Natal, Kim Sismey. Up to 30 people can use the structure at a time. The Magic Company has also relieved unemployment in the area by hiring an additional eight permanent and four casual staff to operate the Skypark. In addition, the company has added 45 additional games in the area under the Skypark.
Dining upgrades
Keeping up with changing food trends and styles, Wild Coast Sun opened two new franchised restaurants this year, in Barcelos, the home of flame-grilled chicken, and Maltos, a Mediterranean restaurant reminiscent of the Greek isles, located overlooking the hotel pool. With a focus on fresh seafood, Maltos, which can seat up to 180 diners, has a vast menu offering incorporating sushi, tapas, pizza, grills and pastas. “We offer a cocktail bar, and a choice of two dining options, from casual to a more stylish, upmarket dining area,” said Maltos Wild Coast Sun General Manager Graeme Blignaut. Maltos employs 30 staff members, 80% of whom are drawn from local communities.
Wild Coast Sun’s popular breakfast and private function restaurant, Chico’s, has had a R5,5-million make-over, with the beautiful new dining floor and bathroom area in shades of the ocean it overlooks, opening in December 2022.
The Palms, new convenience shop
For all visitors’ daily essentials, from over-the-counter medicines to sunblock and nappies, to cigarettes, snacks and drinks, The Palms convenience shop has opened to ensure guest comfort during their stay, without having to leave the Resort.
Mangwanani Spa upgrades coming in 2023
What holiday is complete without a relaxing massage or rejuvenating facial, and Mangwanani Spa caters to all guests, big and small, even offering manicures and pedicures for children.
“We are also excited about improvements being made at Mangwanani Spa during 2023. Wild Coast Sun is always a work in progress as we strive to please our guests, and we have some big news in the pipeline for next year,” Tshidi said.
