BAREFOOT LUXURY: A 5-star Luxury Retreat on the Sabie River for sale

Hospitality Project

BAREFOOT LUXURY: A 5-star Luxury Retreat on the Sabie River

Hazyview , Mpumalanga, South Africa

NEGOTIABLE

59 000 000 ZAR

Agent: Cliff Jacobs - Managing Principal Estate Agent & CEO (Nat.Dpl.Hotel Man (UJ). M.P.R.E.)
Agent Cellphone: +27 (0) 84 413 1071 / +27 (0) 61 716 6951
Agent Office Number: +27 (0) 21 554 0283
Agent Email Address: cliff@exquisitehotelconsultants.com
Type: Hospitality Project
Bedrooms: 13
Bathrooms: 13
Showers: 13
Parking: 40
Yield: 8,5%

At our Eco Estate the emphasis is on comfort, relaxation and romance. We aim to do anything that we can do to make your stay special. Our staff, from the front office and housekeeping staff to the kitchen staff, are formally trained. We give you the privacy that’s so important, while always being available to attend to your needs.

Every effort has been made to ensure that your stay at Summerfields is as worry free and restful as it can be. Accommodation, dining, the lux gardens, the spa and boma – everything is designed for your relaxation. Let the stress wash away to the sounds of the birds.

And when you want to venture out, it is a short drive to Hazyview, where there are shops, restaurants and even a nursery and reptile park. And, of course, the Kruger park is also just a short drive away.

TENTED SUITES

Accommodation at the River Lodge comprises 12 luxury tented suites, surrounded by the music of nature – the sounds of cascading water, amplified by a choir of bird calls and the occasional snort of a hippo.

Attention to detail is evident in every rose-variety suite, with specially designed furniture, percale linen and the tantalizing fragrance of fresh cut roses from the farm.

All units are air-conditioned with additional roof fans, have double vanities, an outdoor shower and luxury bath, are stocked with quality toiletries and have a private fridge for the comfort of our guests.

Enjoy a relaxing rose-scented bath with optional sparkling wine and homemade treats.

Each suite has air-conditioning, roof fan, large bath sheets, bath gowns, tea and coffee making facilities, fridge, hairdryer, electronic safe, a range of quality toiletries and a selection of current magazines.

Breakfast and lunch is reserved for our fully licensed River Café, where there is also a lounge and library area with views over the Sabie River. We have satellite television available in the lounge area as well as Wifi available in the rooms, free of charge. Due to the frequent incidence of thunderstorms wifi may be interrupted. Dinner is served at our Kitchen.

FOREST ROOM

The timber suite is substantially bigger than our existing tented suites and comprises:This open-plan suite is ideal for honeymooners, writers, artists, travelers seeking inspiration and a getaway from urban life, and the discerning guest seeking a little more comfort than most.

Airconditioning & heating.
A full complementary mini-bar.
A full opening front door a covered and open patio with loungers.
A desk for working and reading emails a coffee station with a Nespresso machine.
A reading area a beautiful mosquito net over the bed double-walled timber construction with a timber roof (shingles).
Luxurious linen sheets a beautiful interior by Weylands, Cape Town.

This open-plan suite is ideal for honeymooners, writers, artists, travelers seeking inspiration and a getaway from urban life, and the discerning guest seeking a little more comfort than most.

JACKALBERRY SUITE (NEW LUXURY SUITED TENT)

This sumptuous tented suite overlooks the Sabie River and is fully equipped to make your stay the ultimate experience. The suite is sold on a full-board basis including all meals, local wines, beers and soft drinks.

The suite comprises Air-conditioning & heating a full complementary bar, stocked with a wide selection of local wines and spirits.
A full opening front door, opening onto the patio.
A covered and open patio with loungersa desk for working and reading emails.
A coffee station with a Nespresso machine.
A reading areaa beautiful mosquito net over the bed
Luxurious linen sheets
a beautiful interior by Weylands, Cape Town.

Often referred to as ‘glamping’, Jackalberry Suite lends itself to those seeking that extra special something. We’re just waiting for some special photographs to show off this gorgeous suite.

Dining at Summerfields is a gastronomic experience. We pride ourselves on our attention to detail, from the carefully prepared menus to the table settings. We carry the romance of our Eco Estate through to the River Café and the Eco Estate's Kitchen and you can be assured of fresh roses and flowers. All vegetables are taken fresh from our own organic nursery, where everything is grown as close to its natural, original form as possible.

The River Café, a bistro type restaurant on the river, is open daily for breakfast and lunch. The Eco Estate Kitchen, above our organic garden, is open daily for dinner. Menus change according to the season and what is available from the organic nursery and the Estate Farm.

We are proud to announce that both the Estate Kitchen and River Café were winners in the prestigious 2016 World Luxury Restaurant Awards.

RIVER CAFÉ

The River Café is a glorious culinary space in idyllic surroundings, reached via a forested walk, across a stone bridge and set on the banks of the Sabie River, where you can often see and hear hippos.

River Café is open for breakfast & lunch daily.

We use only the finest ingredients in our menu, with vegetables from our organic gardens or from trusted suppliers.

The River Café is a must-visit location whilst touring the Lowveld. We offer a special experience, whether for a lazy weekend breakfast or light lunch.

OUR ECO ESTATE KITCHEN

Our stunning dinner restaurant, Summerfields Kitchen is open for dinner only. This delightful venue looks out over an organic garden.

The Kitchen is a romantic restaurant with white linen, candlelight and roses for dinner. Our large wooden tables, leather chairs, rose-scented candles and fresh cut roses will add to an amazing farm-to-table dinner experience.

Our menus change from time to time, depending on the season and availability of fresh produce from our Farm.

TOURS AND SAFARIS

KRUGER PARK

Let us arrange your tour to the Kruger Park – morning, afternoon, sunset or full day safaris are available (even a 3-hour walking safari for the more intrepid). Game viewing with skilled guides in open vehicles – 147 mammal, 500 bird and 100 reptile species – a chance to see the big 5 - the ultimate safari experience.

PANORAMA ROUTE

We can organise your panorama tour – breathtaking scenery, seen from air-conditioned vehicles, with a qualified tour guide. God’s window, blyde river canyon, three rondavels, bourkes luck potholes, sabie, graskop and more.

ACTIVITIES

ON THE FARM

Farm Tours, Orchard Walks, Rose Tours, Spa And Relaxing Boma.

ACTIVITIES

IN THE AREA

Microlight flights, golf, sunset cruise, zipline, elephant rides, horse riding, quad biking, white water rafting, abseiling, scenic flights, cheetah park, animal rehabilitation centre, kloofing, archery, kayaking, mountain biking, hiking.

OUR SPA

Rose Spa is open daily. Booking is essential and subject to availability.

The Spa is located by the river, just a short walk from the Tented Suites and River Café.Visit our unique Rose Spa and experience a total escape from your daily life routines. Go above and beyond the normal and take your imagination to a place where nature’s unspoilt beauty and peace allows you to totally relax your body and mind thus refreshing your soul and strengthening your inner being.

Our Spa is surrounded by bush-clad mountains on the banks of the Sabie River which affords glimpses of crocodiles and an abundance of hippos. The birdlife is prolific with over 100 species already identified on the estate. The Lowveld enjoys a sub-tropical climate giving rise to a delightful variety of fruits such as litchis, mango’s, avocado, pawpaw to name a few.

Facilities include a steam room, Jacuzzi, swimming pool, Vichy shower, unisex change rooms and hydro walk along the banks of the Sabie giving meaning to the philosophy “Sanare per Aquam” which means ‘health through water’.

Following your choice of treatments we urge you to enjoy our half-day packages which include lunch at River Café.

Our guests choose a spa experience because it is pleasurable and fun, it transports them from the grind of everyday life. It elevates focus on physical appearance only to a level where caring about one’s state of mind, emotional well-being and stress reduction become important.

Whichever type you choose to be, we have a treatment that is right for you.

THE FARM

Our Farm comprises 100 acres of rolling hills running down to the river, with orchards of macadamia and litchi trees and granadilla plantations.

Our Eco Estate takes up only a small portion of the farm. The owners of our Eco Estate and their children have a vision to create an environment where active farming and warm hospitality can co-exist in a wonderfully unique way. This remains a work-in-progress, and we are constantly on the lookout for improvements and new dynamic developments.

At our Eco Estate we strive to produce as much of our own produce as we can for use in the restaurants, or source from reputable local suppliers. We grow most of our organic vegetables on the farm. This means we only use our own compost, which is made from leaves, husks, organic manure, and the use of thousands of little earthworms. We do not use any synthetic fertilisers or chemicals to control insects, rather we concentrate on the health of the soil and plant material, and encourage natural predators such as bats to control insects.

Our folio feeds include earthworm ‘tea’, which we spray onto our roses, vegetables, nuts and fruits. This not only gives much needed nutrients to the plants, but enhances the vegetables and fruits’ quality, colour and taste.

We have our own free-range hens - bred to withstand harsh South African conditions, and you’ll notice the deep, intense yellow, almost orange colour of the yolk. This means they had to search for their food, they certainly won’t get it force-fed.

We grow seasonal vegetables, and there is always some to share with passers-by. Just ask what may be available.

We export macadamia nuts, litchis and passion fruit to Europe, and use this produce in our food, in value-added products such as chocolates, sorbets and ice-creams, cakes and puddings. Our products are for sale on the property.

We are Global Gap accredited and adhere to their health, safety and hygiene practices.

DUKE GIN

On the slopes of our Estate, nestled between stretches of lush subtropical vegetation, lies our bountiful litchi orchard. Hot, humid summers with thunderous rainstorms create the ideal climate needed to produce the sweet florallike flavours characteristic to the litchi fruit, from which we distill our own alcohol, the base for Duke Gin. Unlike most traditional gins which simply import raw alcohol, Duke veers towards avantgarde through its utilisation of litchis to create a truly unique and flavourful gin.

Duke is an exotically fragrant gin - traditional and tropical botanicals are gradually infused during distillation to produce a balance between sweet, fresh hints of rose, ginger and honey, and grounded, earthy tones of juniper berries and macadamia.

Our unique, triple distilled Gins are produced from 'farm to bottle' and are fermented and distilled in small, hand-crafted batches - entirely on the estate, giving rise to the slogan ‘farm to bottle’. Each bottle is lovingly signed as a tribute to its authenticity.

Our forever-faithful companion, Duke the Vizsla, reminds us that persistence and consistency are key to producing the perfect gin, every time.

Duke Gin, now known as ‘Duke Of The Lowveld’ now comes in 4 distinct varieties, Duke Original, Duke Sportsman, Duke Zero and Duke Copper.

YOUR ECO ESTATE EXPERIENCE

Accommodation in luxuriously appointed, tented suites set beneath a canopy of Jackalberry and Tambotie trees, accessible by raised wooden walkways, each very private and enjoying its own space.
Beautiful gardens, boasting many of the Summerfields roses, and the macadamia and litchi orchards.Our Spa, where you will find both indulgence and immediate healing in a variety of unique, signature treatments and facilities such as the rose quartz steam shower.
Excellent dining at The River Café and our Estate Kitchen, with vegetables from our organic gardens.
And, of course, our roses!
Along with gourmet dining, all of this defines our Estate as a most enchanting place to re-ignite your senses.
We have ensured that the farm and plantations are an integral part of the Estate. We have enlarged our organic garden over time and we serve the freshest, naturally grown vegetables in the Estate Kitchen and River Café.

Contact agent

Key features

1. Executive Summary

South Africa's scenic beauty, magnificent outdoors, sunny climate, cultural diversity and reputation for delivering value for money have made it one of the world's fastest growing leisure - and business - travel destinations.

International travel to South Africa has surged since the end of apartheid. In 1994, the year of South Africa's first democratic elections, only 3.9-million foreign visitors arrived in the country. By 2006, international arrivals had more than doubled to 6.7-million, and by 2016 over 10 million tourists visited this country. Tourism has un unbroken growth record since the 2008/9 economic crash, and international experts are optimistic about future growth of international tourism, as Europeans, American and Asians will grow 57% over the next ten years (2017 Annual Tourism Report, SA Tourism).

Directly and indirectly, tourism constitutes approximately 7% of employment in South Africa. Ideally placed to create new jobs and to add value to the country's many natural and cultural resources, tourism has been earmarked by the government as one of SA's growth sectors.

This makes the outlook for the industry extremely positive.

The country's private game lodges have also grown substantially in the last 10 years, ranging in standard from middle to very upmarket, with ultra-luxury lodges catering almost exclusively to foreign tourists. Sabi Sands reserves report full occupancies for six months hence.

Our Farm was first purchased in 2002 by our family, and developed into a macadamia and rose farm. In 2006 the Kitchen was added, and in 2007 we designed and built the Retreat and Rose Spa. The latter are all made from natural materials, timber and canvass, and overlook the perennial Sabie River. In 2009 our Café followed; in 2015 a timber premier suite was added, and in 2017 the old Farmhouse and Stonehouse were renovated for families. Investment in excess of R40m has been spent on these developments.

Our Eco Estate has evolved into a landmark in the Hazyview tourism and an international destination of acclaim, and has focused much of the marketing attention to attract foreign independent travelers (FITs). Occupancies have risen steadily despite the downturns to just over 40% in FY2019, yet still lagging the industry significantly.

Related to a growth in accommodation are other lifestyle activities, such as meals, drinks, spa, and game drives and other activities. Historically our Eco Estate’s ADR is doubled by these activities.

The company has recently signed marketing agreements with major industry representatives in the UK and Germany, with a track record of building sustainable business models for South African properties.

Occupancy and ADR (average daily revenue) are the main drivers of any hotel business, with the national occupancy average just short of 80%, and projected to grow to 88% over the next five years (see PWC report, 2017-2022). This is the greatest opportunity for our Eco Estate and similar owner-managed small boutique hotels, which has experienced growth of 30% over the past year in hotel revenues.

Our Eco Estate has grown room revenue by 28% over the past year, to achieve an overall occupancy of 41%. It had a turnover of R16m and EBITDA of R5m. It is projected to grow occupancies to 55% by FY 2020, and 85% by 2023, and profits to render an IRR in excess of 30% over the same period.

The management team is headed by our GM, who has spent many years in five star game lodges such as Madikwe and Lion Sands. The financial manager has been with the company for three years, and marketing is directed bythe owners' son-in-law. He has 25 years of hospitality experience and knows our Eco Estate intimately. He is supported by his assistant, who has an intimate knowledge of luxury brands.

As the current owners wish to downgrade their active involvement, it is envisaged that they will retain a small portion of the current property and are available to hand over and consult to new owners for a limited period.

2. The Objective

The purpose of this document is to detail the marketing efforts of the company for the next five years.

Primarily all endeavors of the management team are focused on driving occupancy levels to five star industry levels in excess of 80%.

The company has been revitalized with a new and dynamic management team to achieve this goal, and long-term investment funding is being solicited to facilitate such an objective.

3. The Product

A 5-star Luxury Retreat on the Sabie River – 11 secluded Tented Suites, a new Luxury Suited Tent and a Forest Suite.

Our Eco Estate is, without doubt, the finest accommodation in Hazyview, a really unique experience.

Just 10 minutes from the Kruger Park and close to Panorama Route – the perfect place to relax.

2 award-winning restaurants, a sumptuous spa. macadamia and litchee orchards and more.

Kruger Park Safaris, Panorama Tours and many other activities in the area.Our Eco Estate is also the home of Duke Gin. Launched in 2018, we now have 4 different gins.

ACCOMMODATION

11 Luxury Tented Suites (8 kings and 3 twins).
Each luxury tented suite has air-conditioning, a roof fan, large bath sheets, bath gowns, tea and coffee making facilities, fridge, hairdryer, electronic safe, a range of quality toiletries and a selection of current magazines.

The suites have outside bathrooms overlooking the Sabie River.

1 Forest Room (Honeymoon Suite).
Our upmarket Jackalberry Suite.
Our Forest Suite are substantially larger than our tented suites.

These units have an open plan bedroom and bathroom with a large veranda overlooking the bushveld.

Lounges, bird books and binoculars are available for those who wish to enjoy a quiet afternoon with wildlife.
Both units have air-conditioning, roof fans, large bath sheets, bath gowns, tea and coffee making facilities, fridge, hairdryer, electronic safe, a range of quality toiletries and a selection of current magazines.
All suites accommodate a maximum of 2 people sharing.

IN THE AREA

Micro light flights.
Golf.
Sunset cruise.
Zipline.
Elephant rides.
Horse riding.
Quad biking.
White water rafting.
Abseiling, scenic flights.
Cheetah park.
Animal rehabilitation centre.
Kloofing.
Archery.
Kayaking.
Mountain biking.
Hiking.

DUKE GIN

Our Eco Estate is also the home of Duke Gin. Launched in 2018, we now have 4 different gins.

Now available at selected stores countrywide, or come to our Estate and try it for yourself.

From farm-to-bottle, the entire process is carried out on the farm to make sure that Duke Gin is pure, clear and sumptuous. Even the botanicals that give Duke Gin its distinctive taste are mostly grown at our Estate.

Duke Gin was started in 2017 in an attempt to save the sunny litchi orchards of our Eco Estate. A tricky and risky fruit to export, the economic viability of litchi farming was on a rapid decline, and the decision to replace them with macadamia trees had all but been made. It was at this point when the Owners' entrepreneurial spirit took flight. After a gin course in Johannesburg and later a course at iStill in Amsterdam, He was hooked on mastering the distilling process and entered a whole new world of copper stills, litchi fermentation and juniper berries. Today the Duke family has grown from the Original Litchi to a more traditional London Dry called Sportsman as well as a 6 month barrel aged Copper and a non-alcoholic Duke Zero.

Distribution channels have been opened in the Lowveld, KZN, Gauteng and the Western Cape – and is widely available through Norman Goodfellows, Spar Tops and Liquor Cities. Export orders from Germany has commenced and UK interest is growing significantly.

4. Target Market

There are two distinct target markets:

Foreign Independent travelers (FITs).

European FITs are typically self-drive tourists, arriving at OR Tambo on an overnight flight, and renting a car to drive themselves to the Kruger Park for their safari experience;
North American tourists arrive mid-morning after a long trans Atlantic flight, before connecting to Kruger Mpumalanga Airport, for a shuttle drive into the Sabi Sands;
In both instances Summerfields represents a ‘soft start’ to their holiday, where these wary travelers can relax in five star comfort for two days at very reasonable rates before embarking on their safari experience.
Two distinct marketing organizations, AfriAsia(UK) Ltd, and SMM (Silke Marshall Marketing Solutions), have recently been contracted to market our Eco Estate to the UK and German tour operators, and to sell our Eco Estate as the ‘soft start 'to these FIT markets.

Domestic tourists.

The local market consist of two segments:

Corporate conferencing – Mid week growth market seeking a destination to reflect and strategise.
Couples looking for a weekend away for a special occasion such as a birthday or anniversary.
Local Lowveld guests hosting functions, friends and family.

5.Unique Selling Point

'"Away from all the Touristy circuit, is this amazing Glamping experience in a fully operational Macadamia & Litchi Estate!

Owner-driven, this retreat is just what you require IF you are overworked, stressed out with all the happenings of this world and is desperately seeking solace, peace, serenity, calm and bliss!! All in one place - WOW!!

Have been in Southern Africa for the past 10 days and after quite an active 3 nights in VIC falls, we selected this haven to sit back, relax, rewind, rejuvenate and reminisce the wonderful journey of life till date, before we move onto the Safari Lodges...

We stayed in the Forest Room , the highest category tent in this retreat (total inventory I think is about 11 tents and 1 Forest Room).

The Forest Room is a serious Glamping site with thick greens all around , a cozy heated bed, a standalone bath tub in the centre of the room, a beautiful deck overlooking the wonderful gardens, lovely amenities with roses all around. Absolutely romantic and blissful.

We also used the Spa twice each and it was absolutely wonderful. Well trained masseurs, knows their strokes very well and the oils they use are seriously rejuvenating.

Food: Stunning! All veggies fresh from the garden directly, what an high quality selection of cuisine. Wow! Very well presented & plated too.

Near the spa, there is a beautiful river stream flowing through. You can just sit there for hours just listening to the waters flowing by and just pampering yourself to this amazing natural environment.

Walks: If you love walking, it cannot get better than this. Fully operational Macadamia & Litchi farms with winding roads , fully secure ..... A taste of the real Africa!

This retreat is certainly NOT for people who are looking for activity, gaming, sightseeing etc.

It is incredible for people who just want to have "Me Time", pamper yourself with a wonderful spa, have some amazing organic high quality cuisine, this is THE place for you!!”

Absolutely PROUD of the owners who have created this paradise.

Jack the F & B Manager who also is the AGM of this retreat, is absolutely customer friendly & focussed. We wish him and the owners the very best in taking forward this dream retreat. Lawrence is a super star too in the restaurant with Khunya supporting him with a lovely African smile!

We have passed on some constructive feedback to Jack for improving some areas, so as to make it a even better retreat for future guests. All the very best!!”

6. Call to Action

Desired outcomes: