Moses Motsa, a Swaziland businessman, revealed to Times of Swaziland that he purchased the 210-room The Royal Hotel, located in Durban, South Africa, from Durban Hotels PTY for an undisclosed sum.
Motsa’s purchase of the city-center property closed January 25. The hotel is currently managed by The Three Cities Group, Johannesburg, and Motsa said he is not planning any renovation or management changes at the hotel.
“I have a business partner in South Africa who represents my interests in that country. I asked him some time back to be on the lookout for any hotel and it was last month when he called and informed me that he was talking to a few people regarding the purchase of a hotel. He requested me to meet with the people, only to find that the hotel in question was The Royal Hotel,” Motsa told Times of Swaziland.
The Royal lives up to its name, having hosted royals such as Queen Elizabeth II in the past. However, Motsa announced that he would offer discounts to Swazis staying at the hotel even though suites are already available for about €100 (US$131) a night.
The move comes after Motsa announced last month that he would invest €30 million (US$39 million) in The George Hotel, located in Manzini, Swaziland, which he purchased in 2006.
