Winning Year for Tsogo Sun Suncoast!

2017 has been an award-winning year for us and it’s not over yet!” says Louise Howell, Marketing Manager at SUNCOAST.

The awards range from recognition for contributions in the community to topping popularity-polls by readers of one of Durban’s daily newspapers.

In Women’s Month (August) SUNCOAST scooped the Corporate Citizenship Award, sponsored by British American Tobacco, at the 14^th edition of the prestigious Standard Bank Top Women Awards held at Emperors Palace in Johannesburg.

The Corporate Citizenship Award acknowledges the role of business in improving the communities in which they operate and the positive impact on quality of life, economic prosperity or regeneration through direct investment, pro bono work or employee-led initiatives.

The award recognized the ongoing contribution that SUNCOAST makes to the community of Chesterville via its partnership with Vukukhanye (an NPO operating in the area).

Vukukhanye was formed in 2001 and offers essential community services in the form of children’s foster homes, Educare centre, bursary projects, health and welfare services as well as support for community-based organisations and schools. SUNCOAST has been collaborating with the NPO since 2009 providing financial support and regular participation from SUNCOAST staff on various community projects.

“It was extremely gratifying receiving the Corporate Citizenship Award as it validates the culture that the TSOGO Group has instilled in all their properties,” says Howell. “Partnering with Vukukhanye and the CEO, Dr Anthony van der Meulen, allows us to practise the values of Teamwork, Service, Opportunity, Growth and Ownership and make a positive difference in other people’s lives.”

Another award won during the year is the PMR Awards, where SUNCOAST won a Golden Award (4.2 out of 5) in the category of Casino Executive Lifestyle. SUNCOAST also topped a popularity poll from Durban readers when it was recently voted the Best Casino in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) in the 2017 Daily News Your Choice Awards for the 14^th year running.

“Being voted the Best Casino in KZN for 14 consecutive years is a record that SUNCOAST is extremely proud of,” adds Howell. “It also gives our staff the recognition they deserve. SUNCOAST firmly believes that keeping staff members motivated and happy are the keys to great customer service. The award confirms that our guests notice and appreciate our efforts!”

Individual employees have also been excelling in their departments.  Croupier, Cheszine Muller, was named first runner-up in the 2017 Tsogo Sun National Dealer of the Year Championships at Montecasino, Johannesburg in September.

Muller was one of 18 finalists and was joined in the top five by fellow SUNCOAST colleague, Mbuso Dube (who placed fourth). The table dealers were judged on various criteria in the preliminary rounds of the competition, including knowledge, dealing skills and customer service standards. Once through to the final round they were assessed on technical skills and other aspects of the dealing cycle in American Roulette and Blackjack. The winner was announced after the final five had to answer judges’ questions at the prizewinning dinner.

“Taking part in the Championships was so much fun and not difficult at all because the tasks involved what I do every day,” says 29-year-old Muller, who has been a croupier at SUNCOAST for the past three years.

Meanwhile, finalists Devina Dawkinun and Lebo Mohoko are anxiously awaiting the outcome of their respective competitions.

Dawkinun (founder of the Gemkids Catch-up Programme and manager of SUNCOAST’s Day Care Centre) is one of the top five in the 2017 Tsogo Sun Entrepreneur of the Year Award, a competition for entrepreneurs and alumni benefiting from the Tsogo Sun Entrepreneurs development programme.

The Day Care manager at SUNCOAST was selected as a finalist from 200 fellow-entrepreneurs and will be attending a National Showcase and Conference at the Southern Sun in Pretoria at the end of October, where the Tsogo Sun Entrepreneur of the Year will be announced.

“I feel proud to be acknowledged by Tsogo Sun,” says Dawkinun. “All too often entrepreneurs go unrecognized. The nomination has meant the world to me and it would be that much more special if I was to win.”

The Tsogo Sun Entrepreneur for 2017 will receive R50 000 from Tsogo Sun, a bursary valued at R30 000 from Tsheto Leadership Academy and will be ambassador for Tsogo Sun Entrepreneurs for the next year.

Mohoko (barista at Café Vigour and KZN winner of the 2017 Tsogo Sun - Avanti Coffee National Barista Competition) is eagerly anticipating the national battle of the baristas in Gauteng in November. His expert coffee-making skills saw him win the regional round earlier this year.

“Coffee is my passion and, although I am nervous and excited about the Gauteng finals, I hope to make Café Vigour and SUNCOAST proud by bringing the National Barista Champion title home to Durban,” says the popular barista.

“We are eagerly awaiting the judges’ decisions in these two competitions and hope that Devina and Lebo will come out tops,” says Howell. “The accomplishments of the year have made all the hard work worthwhile and motivated everyone to aim for more success in 2018. The public’s support also plays a large part in SUNCOAST’s success for which we are very grateful.”

Tsogo Sun: High Tea at Jeera, Suncoast Hotel &Towers

Afternoon tea is a must for many and those wanting to spoil themselves often opt for a High Tea which is offered in many establishments but whilst most are great in offering the traditionalist what they expect, the team down at Jeera, located on the pool level of the Suncoast Hotel & Towers decided to give their High Tea a Durban twist. Durban is known to have the highest population of Indians outside India and we all know the significant cultural impact they have had on this city with keeping things spicy and that's exactly what Jeera has done with their high tea.

Last week Tuesday I was invited to par-take in their offering, not knowing what to expect, I was left mouth gaping open at the spread that lied before me. It's not your typical high tea and but at the same time they keep to the aesthetics of what it is meant to be, so you not going to be served a bunny chow and a cup of tea, although some might fancy that? Sandren Govender, executive chef at Suncoast Towers, who has experience in cooking throughout the world has meticulously created a menu to delight everyone's taste buds, with savoury and sweet delicacies to send you into a journey of food ecstasy.

A seating for two will get you a wonderful selection of sweet delights such as burfee shortbread, poli truffles - a modern twist on a traditional Indian favourite, blending chocolate, coconut and cardamom as well as cinnamon eclairs. On the savoury side, the offering expands to an equally wide selection including smoked salmon bagels with paneer cheese; chicken tikka, sheekh kebabs and my personal favourite, Sandrens butter chicken cigars, which is bread, flattend and filled with rich butter chicken curry, then rolled into a cigar shape, crumbed and fried till crispy on the outside.

"This tailor-made approach allowed for authentic creativity to come through quite strongly in the kitchen. We know at the end of the collaboration with our team, we have something unique to offer our guests" says executive chef Sandren Govender. He added that the concept was carefully planned and created incorporating the sense and relaxation associated with the afternoon tea experience.

You probably read this far and must be wondering, high tea but I have not mentioned anything about the tea? Well yes, there is the tea but the food offering is simply that great but the selection of teas will not only awaken your senses but the aromatic flavours and smells will entice you to want to smaple them all. Jeera offers a host of teas with various spices and scents from around the world, each guest has their on glass tea pot with warmer so you can see the flavours fuse with the boiling water. It really was a fascinating experience for me as it was the first time I had the opportunity to indulge a high tea and I'm glad this was the place I did it at.

Speaking to Palvi Oddone Aquino, who is the guest relations manager at Suncoast Hotel and Towers, she had this to say, "Much time was invested in crafting this concept where our primary goal was to take our guests through a journey of spice and distinctive flavour through confectionery - where tea becomes a conversation piece."

Jeera serves their high tea throughout the week (Monday to Friday depending on availability) between 14h00-16h30 and will be available for groups of four or more. Cost per person is R150 and each will get one or two of every serving on the platter, whatever is not eaten can be opted to be taken away for you to indulge at home.

Tsogo Sun: Suncoast Sunsquare Hotel

When I want to go for a holiday, the last place I'd think to go is in my own city. I mean going for a holiday means stepping away from your everyday life and we generally take that as go somewhere out of town but is it really necessary? 

A few weeks back I was given the opportunity to spend a few nights at the Suncoast Sunsquare Hotel, it forms part of Suncoast Entertainment World & Casino. It's a unique hotel seeing that it sits adjacent to the Suncoast Towers Hotel and shares the same amenities with its 5 star neighbor. That alone is a major plus for the guests, I mean staying at a 4 star hotel but everything else is 5 star rated and you don't have to cough an extra cent at all for it. 

Lets start of with the location, it's practically the best spot on the Durban Promenade, with it being smack, bang in the middle of it. You have Durban's world renowned beachfront at your door step with the warm, soothing waters of the Indian Ocean greeting you every morning and evening, it doesn't get any better than that. Keen for a run? The hotel's deck steps out onto the promenade which extends from the Point till the Blue Lagoon with further expansion for it planned. The stadium precinct is just behind the hotel, with Kings Park Stadium for the rugby fans,  Kings Park Swimming Pool and the iconic Moses Mabhida just next door. 

Moving on to the hotel, as stated before it shares a lot with the Towers hotel, including the reception and triple volume atrium in which a magnificent chandelier hangs. Apon arrival there were smiling faces waiting to help me with my luggage and make my check in, quick and efficient. After a welcome drink being handed my room card,  I was escorted to the room on the second floor, a breath taking sea view welcomed me to my room. Stylish and modern, equipped with everything one with need, including a damn comfortable double bed for a good nights rest. 

The room design is very ergonomical and makes use of the space very well and has everything you need in the right places. Adequate cupboards and draws, as well as a safe to keep your valuables, easy accessible plug points to charge your devices, a good hair dryer! (yes this matters to me, my do doesn't just form itself). The bathroom is integrated into the room with the shower and toilet blocked off by means of glass cubicles, this  leaves space for the basin to double as a dressing/ vanity room with its huge mirror. There is also a solid desk for one to do work on if the reason for visit is business related, the hotel provides all guests with free Wi-Fi which is a major plus for many, whether it be for work of personal use. 

I don't know about most people but my life revolves around food and this place does not disappoint! The extensive breakfast buffet every morning is astonishing and leave you at guesses on what to try. I know I wanted to try everything on offer but needed a bigger plate, I had to settle to getting up a few times though. In the evening the breakfast restaurant doubles up as Suncoasts signature Jeera restaurant, one of the few Indian restaurants in Durban that offer a world class buffet of curries. From lamb, chicken or seafood, it has everything to suit the most technical taste buds. Speaking to the head chef Sandren Govender, he says he prides himself on only using the freshest ingredients for his dishes, every item is made on and prepared in the kitchen included the wide variety of condiments, some of which include, sauces, pickles and atchars. Asking him which is his favourite curry from the menu, with out a doubt the Millionaires Curry he replied. It's a luxurious curry using the finest seafood all brought together in a creamy spicy gravy, just hearing about it makes ones mouth water. Tip, if you're going for the curry buffet, be sure to leave space for dessert or you might get carried away like I did!

While on the topic of food, the room service menu is quite extensive and serves a variety of meals all through the day. After binge eating, you going to want to work those extra calories off, if the hotel gym isn't enough, as said before you have kilometers of promenade to run on, not forgetting the beach to swim in. If that's not enough, theres morning exercise and yoga classes offered on the Suncoast beach. Bicycles can be hired from the near by bike and bean shop or from the Moses Mabhida Stadium. 

After the hectic work out, why don't treat yourself to a Spa treatment on the 9th floor of the Towers. Getting a massage with the endless views of the beachfront is an experience you will not regret! Offering a variety of treatments and massages, the Spa caters for it all. There's a host of rooms available including couples rooms so you and your partner can enjoy it together. 

Overall my stay at Suncoast Hotel was an eye opener and an unforgettable one, the staff had a huge part to play in that with them being at my beck and call at any time of day, making sure my every need was taken cared of. Coming back to my opening about holidaying in your own town, at first it didn't seem like much because you seek for something different but after experiencing what we have was on offer, very little can compare to this. Knowing the town was an advantage so I wasn't at a loss on what to do or how to pass my time but the major plus is you don't have to pay a lot for the travel! So often we pay an arm and a leg for plane tickets or the petrol and toll to get to our destination, this on the other hand was down the road! If I need a quick break, I will definitely pop down back to the Sunsquare hotel, maybe even live it up a little and book a room at the Towers, after all it is about spoiling yourself!

A big thank you to Werner and Nicole and the rest of the team from Suncoast Durban for this and Sheena from Tsogo Sun for making this possible.

Twitter: @SUNCOASTDurban / @TsogoSun

Facebook: Suncoast Durban / Tsogo Sun