Sun International The Cascades

A cool breeze, a sultry summer’s day, an exotic cocktail at the sand bar and a hint of Turkish music, set the scene for a perfect holiday retreat. The Cascades Hotel, the Grotto Restaurant and the pool area underwent an extensive R60 000 000 refurbishment project, transforming the 1980’s themed pool area into a tropical paradise.

The Mediterranean is the deep, blue heart that gives life to the countries that surround it. With this in mind, Sun City has transformed the Cascades pool and Grotto Restaurant into an area reminiscent of the azure blue of the tranquil Mediterranean. The original garden area has been transformed into a lake with cascading waterfalls. The pool deck has been extended by about 7 m and the lawn areas have been converted into a sandy beach, complete with a secluded bathing area and sand bar evocative of Tom Cruise’s “Cocktail” movie. Guests can enjoy the ambience complete with bikini’s and flamboyant barmen. There is a heated pool, a Jacuzzi pool and children’s pool.

The Grotto Restaurant has been revolutionised. The Mediterranean restaurant is now named Santorini, and is surrounded by glass windows providing an all season enclave, harbouring guests during winter. Al fresco dining takes place along the island promenade and delightful gazebo’s offer shaded areas where guests can relax informally and enjoy a delectable meal. The interior of the restaurant has a bamboo ceiling which gives the restaurant an airy and light effect. The azure blue of the Mediterranean is embodied in the fabrics and mosaic tiles, and an open wood-burning pizza oven adds to the intimate and aesthetically pleasing ambience.

Santorini provides a unique and enjoyable dining experience, satisfying the diner who enjoys a quiet evening of fine dining with family, or the person who enjoys relaxing with a cocktail at the poolside. The refurbishment project also extended to the guest rooms. In total, 239 rooms were refurbished. In the Standard and Family Rooms, the entire bathroom was reconstructed and enlarged. Amenities now include a separate large shower cubicle, which provides an intimate and private experience, and a separate bath that is the ideal place to unwind. The bathrooms have double vanity units and are somewhat larger than standard hotel bathrooms.

The Luxury Rooms at the Cascades Hotel were also given the ultra-superior treatment. Each room has its own dressing room with a built-in dressing table, cupboards and shoe racks. The furnishings have also been upgraded and are a tapestry of the verdant gardens and tranquil beach pool area. The furnishings and fabrics are a veritable citrus feast of tangerine and ochre, yellows and a variety of greens. All the wood has been stained a darker hue and the new carvery, buffet and hostess stations have been designed to the chef’s requirements.