Sani Pass Hotel, couple celebrate 50-year union at R10 rate
Nica Schreuder
Fifty years ago, one could stay at the Sani Pass Hotel in KwaZulu-Natal for R5 – per day – all inclusive. A lot has changed since then, which is why you will now pay up to R1 180 for two people per night, without breakfast.
Journalist Janine Stephen recently tweeted a blast-from-thepast tribute of these long-gone rates.
Her parents went on their honeymoon at the Sani Pass Hotel in 1968, and spent R10 per couple per day, breakfast included.
Stephen took a chance and used her parents’ anniversary as an opportunity to not only let people know how cheap it was to have a decent holiday, but in the hopes that Sani Pass Hotel will allow her parents to celebrate their union by once again visiting the hotel, and pay the 1968 rates.
Her tweet read: “So my sister sent Premier Hotels a Facebook message, with proof of the 50-year-old celebrations …”
Premier Hotels responded immediately, citing that the general manager had agreed to let the Stephens visit the hotel, and also pay the 1968 rates for a room.
They, however, were clear that food could not be included at the rates of half-a-century ago.
“Thank you for your message which is truly surprising and welcomed. One cannot imagine such prices in these times,” Premier Hotels tweeted.
“Our GM has agreed to honour the 1968 rates for a room only. Unfortunately we will not be able to include food at this price.”
Realising that her parents will get to relive their honeymoon for only R10, Stephen retweeted with a picture of her mother taken in 1968: “And we’re about to tell my mom, who will be as happy as she was on this trampoline at Sani Pass 50 years back!”
A receipt from her parents’ honeymoon proved that they had paid the “exorbitant” amount of R5 per room per evening for their accommodation 50 years ago.