Receiving the royal princess treatment at Sibaya Casino and Entertainment Kingdom
This was my first time staying at the four-star Royal Sibaya Hotel, which also recently underwent a make-over, being given a fresh lick of paint, luxurious decor, and traditional African undertones to match.
If the KZN South Coast is known as the Paradise of the Zulu Kingdom, then the North Coast is without doubt the precious jewel with its sun-kissed beaches, heritage routes, rich and diverse culture and enlivening and lush scenery.
A royal relative of the KZN North Coast is indeed the Sibaya Casino and Entertainment Kingdom, a top holiday destination and casino, conveniently situated just a stone’s throw away from the King Shaka International Airport, proving to be the perfect go-to for local, national, and international visitors!
In an ostentatious and elegant style, the Sibaya Casino and Entertainment Kingdom exclusively hosted an intimate group of media representatives- strictly by invite only- to experience first-hand the amazing refurbishments that the world-class complex recently tasted, while indulging in the African glamour that shines and sparkles throughout every corridor.
In the lead-up to Sibaya’s 19th birthday celebrations, this was the ideal opportunity to proudly show off and brag (rightfully so) about the refreshed and majestic royal kingdom that awaits you! I, together with my media friends from other publications, were presented with a fabulous opportunity to spend a night at this magical empire, receiving regal treatment from the minute we arrived.
This was my first time staying at the four-star Royal Sibaya Hotel, which also recently underwent a make-over, being given a fresh lick of paint, luxurious decor, and traditional African undertones to match.
As I arrived at the venue, I was in awe as to how truly beautiful this kingdom was- I was the princess for the day and I was brimming with sheer excitement every second! Making my way to the check-in desk, I could not help but gaze upon the stunning interior, attention to detail, and gorgeous views that were in front of me.
Sibaya’s specular and breathtaking elements, inspired by traditional architecture and state-of-the-art technology definitely earn it the sterling reputation it has garnered over the years.
After receiving the key card to my room for the night, I chose not to take the elevator but rather walk down the flights of stairs, allowing me to truly take in and marvel at the beauty of the hotel.
Finally arriving at the door to my room, which was surrounded by lush nature, I knew that I was going to be transported to a haven of tranquillity, bliss, and paradise.
And indeed I was…as I opened the door to my room, I was warmly greeted by a magical, warm and radiant setting. My room was indeed the epitome of luxury and comfort.
From the most beautiful art pinned to the wall, to a large bed that would melt away the stress of hectic deadlines at work, to a bathroom fit for a queen, and many other simply amazing amenities, this was going to be a trip to remember.
To make the welcome even more special, the Sibaya team generously provided all media representatives with delightful goodie bags consisting of a stunning bottle of wine, super cool gadgets, and some delicious chocolates!
The itinerary for the evening included all media representatives meeting for some celebratory bubbly and thereafter embarking on a fantastic tour! After freshening up, I made my way to the conference centre where our friendly hosts awaited.
What made the trip even more worthwhile was the fact that I finally got to meet the lovely and beautiful Sarah Anderson, who works very closely with Sun International. In fact, you may remember her from my previous trips to the Wild Coast Sun as she so graciously facilitated these.
Sarah is indeed a darling and ever so warm and kind- she makes you a friend straight away and was happy to be of assistance should the media have had any questions throughout our time there.
As the media representatives mingled away with the Sibaya team, we enjoyed indulging in the refreshing beverages (virgin and alcoholic) along with a variety of appetisers, whetting our palate for what the evening had in store for us.
We were then ushered on our tour through the gorgeous and magnificent setting. From the exclusive Salon Privé bar and lounge area boasting the twinkling Tree of Life to the Royal Sibaya Hotel- with the most beautiful rooms all set in subtropical vegetation to the beautiful Sibaya Lodge, the decor refurbishment worth a whopping R44 million was definitely well spent, honouring the Zulu kingdom and paying a sterling tribute to its brave warriors.
After the enlightening tour came to an end, we were led to Beira Alta- a new culinary addition to the Sibaya Casino and Entertainment Kingdom, delivering Portuguese flavours and experiences that will leave you savouring every moment.
The serene restaurant has been kissed with the most breathtakingly beautiful designs, consisting of touches of greenery, raw brick and wood adding to the warmth of the venue. In addition, there is also a wonderful view of the sea- how marvellous is this?
After being welcomed to the restaurant, we were then presented with the menus, being allowed to pick whatever we wanted! While the restaurant’s signature dish is the flamed grilled chicken with pan-fried prawns and a secret delicious sauce, I opted for the Ruby Port steak- it did not disappoint.
The steak was chargrilled to perfection, and topped with slices of succulent sautéed mushrooms, and chorizo and smothered with a creamy Ruby Port sauce- every bite was delectable! For dessert, I chose the pyramid chocolate log cheesecake- the pièce de résistance, bringing our dining experience to a sweet and delicious end!
After an evening of networking, creating special memories and basking in the glory of the Sibaya Casino and Entertainment Kingdom, I made my way back to my palace for the night where I slept peacefully after being given a glamourous and royal experience. The next morning, we were treated to breakfast at leisure before we checked out.
This experience was definitely one of the biggest highlights of my year and even though it was a short stay, the Sibaya Casino and Entertainment Kingdom has left me with a huge treasure trove of memories to last a lifetime.
