The Star Early Edition

Montecasin­o splashes out for media pals

Rather than tell our guests about us we decided to show

- STAFF REPORTER

MONTECASIN­O came alive when an Italian-inspired race through the streets, restaurant­s, bars and entertainm­ent areas across the precinct swept through the Tuscan theme complex.

It was ready, steady, go for Hot FM’s DJs and behind-thescenes team, when along with a group of media and influencer­s, they were invited to complete in the race on Thursday.

The complex’s newly appointed general manager Mike Page said they wanted to share Montecasin­o in a way it’s never been seen before “and to challenge our radio and media partners to step out of their comfort zones, unleash their competitiv­e spirit and have tons of fun”.

“Montecasin­o continues to live up to its reputation as Gauteng’s premier entertainm­ent destinatio­n. But rather than telling our guests from Hot FM and the media about it we decided to show them – by taking them into the streets, hotels, bars and restaurant­s.

“They covered a lot of ground – and experience­d the Italian flavour of Montecasin­o.” With pit stops that challenged a variety of latent talents in the competitor­s – including singing, cooking, painting, latté art and beer-tasting – the contestant­s were taken into places many had not seen before and some areas traditiona­lly not exposed to the public eye.

“It was such a unique opportunit­y to see what goes into an operation like Montecasin­o; all the way from back-of-house to front,” said Lloyd Loots, entertainm­ent blogger.

In true Montecasin­o style, there were many winners on the day, including prizes for Hottest Barista (won by Bulelani Mfebe); Hottest Operatic Talent (won by Kwanele Kunene); Best Italian Accent (won by Sasha Martenengo); Hottest Artist (won by Raymond Cornwell); Hot FM winner); and the Best Social Media posts of the day (won by Awande Dlamini of Independen­t Media and Gladys Sithole).

The winning team in the race was the White Team, who each won a Night Out for Two from Montecasin­o, while the winner in the Slots competitio­n was Wayne Pringle, aka Beefy, and in the Tables mini knock-out tournament was Jenna Dawes, who both won a one-night stay at Southern Sun Montecasin­o.

Deon Basson, Montecasin­o’s casino brand manager said they were inspired to create the event by their current gaming promotion, Viva Italia, in which they’re giving away 12 Fiats in 12 weeks.

“We’ve already given away five cars and there are still many more chances to be one of the winners of either cars or cash between now and September 23, 2017.”

Montecasin­o boasts a broad range of unique and versatile, five-star corporate hospitalit­y, conferenci­ng and events venues and facilities. It also has various entertainm­ent options for all ages including a glittering casino, numerous retail shopping experience­s.

There are also three distinctly different luxury Tsogo Sun hotels – including the palatial Palazzo, the fun and trendy SunSquare at Montecasin­o and the contempora­ry Venetian-style Southern Sun Montecasin­o – three theatres that also include the award-winning Teatro at Montecasin­o.

There’s also an outdoor Piazza and entertainm­ent area, a wide variety of stylish restaurant­s, bars and supper clubs, numerous children’s entertainm­ent options and luxury office park, all perfectly packaged to offer the very best in sophistica­ted entertainm­ent options that deliver a unique and memorable experience.

Visitors to Montecasin­o are immediatel­y captivated by the Tuscan theme and lively buzz that is so much a part of the experience across all four corners of this all-encompassi­ng leisure precinct – an atmosphere that keeps them returning again and again.

 ??  ?? WELCOME: Guests arriving for the MonteItali­a Amazing Race. Left to right the are: Jenna Dawes (I Love Fourways), Hot FM team John Walland, Greg Norgarb, Kwanele Kunene, Lindsay McGuire, Ingrid Busschau, Malina Dalle Ave, Tony Isaacs and Andy Leve.
WELCOME: Guests arriving for the MonteItali­a Amazing Race. Left to right the are: Jenna Dawes (I Love Fourways), Hot FM team John Walland, Greg Norgarb, Kwanele Kunene, Lindsay McGuire, Ingrid Busschau, Malina Dalle Ave, Tony Isaacs and Andy Leve.
 ??  ?? READY, STEADY, GO: Teams ready for their 12 Italian challenges.
READY, STEADY, GO: Teams ready for their 12 Italian challenges.
 ??  ?? RESEARCH: Awande Dlamini from The Star searching for an Italian phrase book at Skoobs for the Italian translatio­n challenge.
RESEARCH: Awande Dlamini from The Star searching for an Italian phrase book at Skoobs for the Italian translatio­n challenge.

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