City Lodge pumps R70m into upgrading Courtyard Hotel Gqeberha

JSE-listed City Lodge Hotels has invested around R70 million to refurbish its 4-star Courtyard Hotel Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape’s biggest metro Nelson Mandela Bay.

The upgrade of the seafront hotel began in July 2025 and included its 91 rooms, restaurant, conferencing facilities, boardroom, lobby, and other public areas.

Read:

NMB sitting on land that could drive tourism and economic growth
Capital Hotels targets business travel market with R270m Gqeberha opening

It forms part of the hotel group’s current programme to upgrade its 56-property portfolio and pursue further expansion in South Africa.

ADVERTISEMENT

CONTINUE READING BELOW

The Gqeberha project was overseen by general manager of the hotel Erich Oberhauser.

Lindiwe Sangweni-Siddo, chief operating officer of City Lodge Hotels, says the refurbishment is intended to retain the familiarity of the existing hotel while repositioning it as a more distinctive coastal destination property.

The investment forms part of a broader programme of property upgrades across the group, with City Lodge also pursuing expansion opportunities in the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal.

Read/listen:
Ramaphosa hails opening of R2bn Club Med SA resort
Unlocking the tourism potential in Nelson Mandela Bay
Lindiwe Sangweni-Siddo on the reawakening of domestic tourism [Sept 2023]

Courtyard Hotel Gqeberha, located along the Algoa Bay coastline, has been redesigned around its coastal setting. The changes include redesigned guest rooms, a new co-working lounge, revamped public areas, and a redesigned restaurant, now called 25° East.

The hotel’s conferencing facilities have also been upgraded, with three meeting rooms accommodating between 10 and 80 people, while the combined commercial area can host up to 120 delegates in a cocktail-style setup.

City Lodge chief financial officer Dhanisha Nathoo says the Gqeberha refurbishment costs about R70 million.

Read /listen:
Why is City Lodge more expensive than Southern Sun?
Income flat for Tsogo Sun, but debt slashed 10%

ADVERTISEMENT:

CONTINUE READING BELOW

The group also plans to start construction on a 53-room expansion at City Lodge Hotel Waterfall City this month, with completion scheduled for June 2027. It has two hotels in Waterfall City, both of which are owned by Attacq Limited, but operated by City Lodge Hotels.

Further upgrades are planned for several properties in 2027.

The refurbishment comes as City Lodge continues a wider capital investment programme. Other properties that have undergone major upgrades include City Lodge Hotel Umhlanga Ridge and City Lodge Hotel V&A Waterfront, while revamps are underway at Road Lodge Gqeberha and City Lodge Hotel Sandton, Morningside.

* Phenyo Selinda is a Moneyweb Intern

#City #Lodge #pumps #R70m #upgrading #Courtyard #Hotel #Gqeberha