THE SUN VACATION CLUB
Refurbishment of The Reserve
Background
In 1996, Sun International introduced a new accommodation model at Sun City in response to demand for self-catering units at the resort.
The Sun Vacation Club (SVC) first went to market with The Reserve, which was created by converting an existing staff village into timeshare units. This was later followed by The Aviary and more recently, by the luxurious Lefika Villas.
28 years on, the Sun Vacation Club (SVC) has grown into one of South Africa’s leading timeshare accommodation offerings with contract periods of between five and 10 years.
DEMAND
In October 2022, Sun International announced its R295-million Lefika Villas development consisting of 48 three-bedroom and 10 free standing, four-bedroom villas.
Janita Donaldson, Group General Manager for the Sun Vacation Club says, “We realised that the demand for high-end luxury accommodation was there, but the market reaction to the development exceeded all of our expectations and outstripped our sales predictions. By the end of 2023 our entire four-bedroom stock had been sold and only limited stock of the three-bedroom villas is still available. On 5 October 2023, the day we opened Lefika Villas reservations, we received bookings from 22% of our flexi members. More than 50% of the four-bedroom villas were also booked for the next 12 months.
Donaldson said that 40% of Lefika Villas sales were from existing Sun Vacation Club members.
“The success of this project is down to a great product, Sun International’s reputation for high standards, and Sun City’s world class offering. For the next 10 years, new Lefika Villas owners can enjoy a well-deserved holiday knowing that they and their families will love every moment of their stay. What’s not to love about that?”
THE RESERVE UPGRADE
By the start of The Reserve’s third 10-year cycle in 2023, 90% of the units were already sold out.
From July 2024, the 236 units at The Reserve will be refurbished at a cost of R210-million. The upgrade will begin in July and is anticipated to take three years to complete.
Refurbishment
The Reserve is nestled amid indigenous Acacia and Leopard trees, giving the feeling of being in nature which is represented in the interiors.
Blacksmith Interior Inspiration director Ryan Ilgner says, “The interiors of the newly reimagined Sun Vacation Club at The Reserve were designed to encourage escapism into the African wild, bringing the outside world in.
This is evident from the natural stone look tiles to the woven savannah inspired wallpapers and grey granite textured tops.
The visual journey continues with bespoke animal pattern fabrics developed in vibrant colours. These are complemented by contemporary African wildlife photography.
The framing of the artwork is truly unique, transforming headboards into art pieces using larger than life animal portraits.
Newly introduced white shutters and the dusty blue ceilings combined with LED cove lighting lends a fresh cool feel to the palette, balancing the rich timber tones of the furniture pieces.
One can’t help but be rejuvenated being in these soothing spaces, resulting in a feeling of connection to the surrounds whilst escaping into one’s own world of relaxation.”
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