Where Business Meets Leisure – Fairmont Zimbali Resort
OFFERING LITERALLY SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE, THE KINGDOM OF THE ZULU STANDS TALL AMONGST ITS COUNTERPARTS, AND HAS MADE A NAME FOR ITSELF AS A GLOBAL TOURISM PARADISE AS WELL AS A THRIVING BUSINESS HUB.
From some of the country’s most popular beaches,to dramatic mountain landscapes and even rugged bushveld, KwaZulu-Natal is unlike any other province – and has solidified itself as a firm leader in the South African tourism space. Also hailed as the second most integral manufacturing hub in the country with the busiest port and an ever-growing property market, Durban is increasingly becoming a hot spot that epitomises the saying, “Business meets pleasure.” And there are few places that embody a first-class business and pleasure experience quite like the Fairmont Zimbali Resort.
THE VALLEY OF FLOWERS
Located on KZN’s exquisite Dolphin Coast, the Fairmont Zimbali Resort is set in a 700-hectare protected coastal nature reserve surrounded by lush tropical forest.The name Zimbali, the Zulu word for “valley of flowers”, perfectly encapsulates the atmosphere of this stunning area where plush foliage and indigenous flora gently slope to the lapping shores of the warm, inviting Indian Ocean. Situated within the exclusive Zimbali Coastal Estate, Fairmont Zimbali Resort is located a mere five
minutes from the bustling coastal town of Ballito, 20 minutes from Umhlanga and only 30 minutes from the heart of Durban. Its close proximity to the King Shaka International Airport – 16 km away – makes it easily accessible to holiday-makers and business travellers alike.
Facilities at Fairmont Zimbali Resort include 154 contemporary rooms and suites, an award-winning spa, world-class restaurants and bars, five pools, tennis and squash courts, and an 18-hole Tom Weiskopf-designed golf course.
THE GOLD STANDARD OF CONFERENCES
The newest upgrade to this internationally acclaimed resort is the brand-new, state-of-the-art conference facility which opened its doors in November 2017, and is now the largest conference facility on the KZN North Coast. General Manager of Fairmont Zimbali Resort, Nils Rothbarth, says: “There is a significant demand for large-scale, upmarket conferencing facilities on the North Coast, and we are delighted to be able to not only meet the market demand, but to do it in a style that the Fairmont Zimbali Resort is so well known for – elegant, reliable, and with excellent service.”
Those looking to do business in Durban are guaranteed to impress clientele and patrons with the newly upgraded conference centre, which can now accommodate up to 520 people banquet-style and up to 700 people cinema-style. The contemporary venue has been cleverly designed with stacking doors that can quickly and easily change the shape and size of the room, and so is perfectly suited for weddings as well as private and corporate functions. Purposefully constructed without the use of pillars, this dynamic space offers guests unobstructed views from wherever they are standing or seated. For smaller, more bespoke conferences or presentations, three individual meeting rooms are also available.
Exceptional state-of-the-art audio-visual equipment and high-speed Wi-Fi is provided throughout the conference centre, and the ceilings, fitted with acoustic panels, ensure that crystalclear sound is heard throughout. For large-scale events such as motoring launches, the space is equipped with an expansive roller-door style entrance at the back and reinforced flooring, providing suitable access for heavy vehicles and even trucks.
There is plentiful onsite undercover parking for guests, providing ease of access to the venue. Rothbarth has ensured that security of the venue – which is already bolstered by the strong security presence throughout the resort and the estate – is world-class, providing high-profile guests and delegates absolute safety and peace of mind.“We look forward to welcoming all our
future delegates, and to making their conferencing experience an unforgettable one,” he says.
TIME TO UNWIND
Once business is done for the day, guests can enjoy a myriad of facilities at the Fairmont Zimbali Resort – a place that takes pleasure and leisure to a whole new level. Rooms and suites provide ample respite from a day’s hard work and provide a haven of tranquillity.Airy and spacious, the rooms are all designed with warm wood tones and natural light, accentuating the coastal splendour of the resort, and come fully equipped with all the amenities of a five-star luxury hotel.
Guests also have the option of taking relaxation to a new level by enjoying an unforgettable pampering experience at the Willow Stream Spa, a space that truly echoes the resort’s promise of tranquillity. If your idea of relaxation and unwinding after a long day is more about increasing your heart rate, a round of tennis, golf or squash, followed by a swim in one of the five pools at the resort, will most certainly satisfy your needs.
Dining at Fairmont Zimbali Resort provides guests with a culinary choice of a whopping eight restaurants and lounges. From the more traditional family dining and breakfast buffets on the terrace at the CoralTree, to the flavoursome spicy flavours of India at OSA, or the intense and varied mouth-watering flavours of Mexico at the poolside restaurant, Ayoba, there is something for everyone. Grab a quick snack at the aptly named Bite, or enjoy cocktails and wine either at the beach bar, Makhaza, the contemporary wine bar, Vinum, or the lobby bar, 31 degrees – all offering light bar snacks to ease you into whatever you have planned for the rest of the day or evening. Upscale afternoon tea can be enjoyed at Dalchini and promises to be a royal affair.
It is safe to say that at Fairmont Zimbali Resort, it is hard to draw the line between business and pleasure – which, some say, is how it should be. Making business a leisure affair, as well as a world-class experience, Fairmont Zimbali Resort is truly in a league of its own.
For more information or reservations, please visit www.fairmont.com/zimbali-resort.