Richard Weilers

In South Africa Southern Sun Hotels is a well known group with 80 hotels, a market capitalization of more than $2 billion and an $800 million annual turnover. And in recent years this group has spread across southern Africa and as far as Nigeria and the Seychelles. So why now enter the Dubai market?

'We recognize the unique location and the business opportunity presented by the exciting growth of this city. And the chance to establish our brand in a great location like the Burj Dubai Downtown was irresistible,' says managing director Richard Weilers.

Sun Hotels is opening two smart, business orientated boutique hotels this month owned by Downtown's developer Emaar, a management contract won two years ago which included every part of the interior design. The result is two stunning minimalist heaven hotels, the 196-room Al Manzil with an arabesque element and the strictly contemporary 187-room Qamardeen.

Both are classed as four-star deluxe, a reflection of the quality of the interior fittings. Even the smaller four-star room sizes are made to feel larger by open plan, glass enclosed bathrooms. And some rooms have a panoramic view of the Burj Dubai, set to be the world's tallest building.

'We have worked with the designers at every stage,' says Mr. Weilers who has also established the headquarters of the overseas division in Dubai. 'It is naturally a statement for our brand and we wanted to get it absolutely right.'

Southern Sun's next regional venture will be in Abu Dhabi, a three-star SunSquare hotel for Al Quadra Holdings. But Mr. Weilers says he is looking at opportunities all over the GCC.

'There is a niche below the five-star level in Dubai and I think all the hotel operators recognize this. But we do also have our latest five-star brand Maia in the Seychelles with a luxurious complex of 30 villas.

'People have asked us whether we believe the Dubai hotel market will suffer from over supply but Dubai is such a known and respected brand around the world that it will always be able to market itself successfully.

'Also we have the only four-star hotels in the $20 billion Burj Dubai Downtown which is close to the Dubai World Trade Centre and its exhibition complex, so we are confident of being able to tap the business market in particular.'

Guests are certainly in for a treat with food and beverage and leisure facilities that would rate as five-star in many countries at four-star prices. Staff training is also strong on the personal touch with management benefiting from the group's depth of experience.