The newly redesigned Sun City Hotel, which reopened in November 2025, stands as a confident example of how heritage icons are reimagined for modern travellers.
A bold design reset
In 2024, Sun International embarked on a full-scale renovation of the Sun City Hotel, its original and most recognisable property. The goal was clear. Restore splendour, heighten glamour and deliver a contemporary experience that still honours the hotel’s legacy.
Project teams worked to a tight deadline, ensuring the majority of the hotel’s 350 rooms were ready in time for the Nedbank Golf Challenge and the December peak season.
From arrival to accommodation
The transformation begins at the porte-cochère, now more dramatic and refined. Sculpted granite floors with intricate patterning set the tone, while a striking illuminated ceiling draws guests towards the redesigned entrance and into a light-filled lobby with uninterrupted sightlines.
Upgrades extended to the lifts, the iconic Octagon Pool, the smoking casino entrance and the Sun Terrace, which has been reworked into a relaxed, contemporary dining space.
Refined rooms and bathrooms
Guest rooms have been fully refurbished with a calm, cohesive palette of whites and soft neutrals, accented by warm gold and turquoise tones. Bathrooms follow suit with a modern reconfiguration. Baths have been removed to allow for generous walk-in showers, creating a more spacious and practical layout.
According to Ryan Ilgner, Director at Solebi-Blacksmith, the flow through the room has been carefully considered. Guests move past the coffee station and king-sized bed towards a mid-century-inspired terrace. From here, views open out across the pool, the Gary Player Golf Course, and the surrounding landscape.
The Sun Terrace reimagined
The Sun Terrace restaurant has been transformed into a space that blends Tswana cultural references with clean, contemporary design. Retractable glass doors allow the restaurant to open fully to the outdoors or remain enclosed for comfort, while maintaining a constant visual connection to the resort grounds.
The result is a venue that operates from early morning to late evening, offering expansive views previously hidden from guests.
A new energy outdoors
Externally, a grand central staircase leads to a lively entertainment level anchored by a reworked pool area. A DJ island sits at its heart, setting the scene for evenings under the stars.
Accessibility has been improved with walk-in pool ramps, while three sculptural pergolas introduce a bold visual identity. Private gazebos and cabanas add another layer, offering shaded daybeds, refreshment points and personalised service.
Ilgner describes the area as a multi-layered retreat. Family-friendly play zones sit alongside quieter, more exclusive spaces designed for relaxation and socialising.
A renewed Sun City icon
With its refreshed interiors, reworked leisure spaces and confident design language, the Sun City Hotel has stepped into a new era. The renovation balances energy with elegance, delivering a resort experience that feels contemporary yet unmistakably rooted in its place.
This is the original Sun City icon, rediscovered and ready to be enjoyed all over again.
