In the South African boutique hotel field, the family-owned Royal Portfolio stands out for its high-glamour style and luxury accommodation.
The group’s success originated from the foresight and inherent hospitality of Liz Biden who, following a career in fashion, considered that people might want to pay to stay in her homes. The venture started out in 1999 at the family’s bush holiday home in the Greater Kruger National Park, now known as Royal Malewane.
SERVICE MATTERS
Crucially, The Royal Portfolio is not based on money alone, but on the desire to delight guests at every opportunity.
“Warm and hearty, not cold and starchy,” is how Edward Morton, ambassador for the group describes its service ethos. Team members at all properties are chosen for their personalities first, as the nuances of service can always be taught, but the ability to make people feel truly comfortable can only come from within.
The Royal Portfolio hotels are luxury properties that come at an elevated price. However, the group’s basic approach applies to accommodation options everywhere: give your guests value for the money they spend. In the case of The Royal Portfolio, this includes a largely inclusive food and beverage menu as well as a maxi rather than a mini-bar in the rooms.
In a more modest farm stay, this kind of generosity can be expressed via cut herbs or flowers, rusks, or a welcome loaf of bread, and pleasant bathroom amenities.
On a fruit farm, for example, a fruit basket is a welcome treat. You could even consider making your own bath salts or herbal scrub for use in the shower with salt, herbs and citrus zest if appropriate.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der March 31, 2023-Ausgabe von Farmer's Weekly.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der March 31, 2023-Ausgabe von Farmer's Weekly.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
Syngenta Seedcare celebrates a decade of innovation
Syngenta's ambition is to enable their customers' investments to grow in healthy soil from treated seeds to young plants through innovation and collaboration, writes Magda du Toit.
Agri workers shine at Western Cape awards
Lindie-Alet van Staden, a garden and olive orchard manager at L’Ormarins Wine Estate in Franschhoek, was crowned as the Western Cape Prestige Agri-Worker of 2024 at a gala event recently held near Paarl.
Small and large farmers recognised at grain awards
The annual Grain SA/Syngenta awards ceremony bears testimony to the quality of farmers in the grain industry.
Growing partnerships: Fedgroup's flexible and innovative approach
Janine Ryan spoke to Warren Winchester, general manager of impact investing at Fedgroup, about why the company became involved in agriculture, and what it offers farmers and their immediate communities.
Why fish farms fail, and how to avoid becoming a statistic
The popularity of launching fish farms is not matched by their success. Leslie Ter Morshuizen, owner of Aquaculture Solutions, explores the factors that cause most of these businesses to go under.
Where history and modernity meet in a luxurious setting
Brian Berkman kept his eyes peeled for ghosts in the oldest continuously run hotel in South Africa, but all he found was a fabulous two-night stay.
THE HITCHING POST
I'm a stylish elderly lady with a radiant glow and a good sense of humour that keeps me young at heart.
Cutworms: check the weeds on your fields!
Zunel van Eeden explains why understanding the ecological interplay between cutworms and weeds is crucial for effective pest management. Producers should disrupt the life cycle of cutworms to minimise crop damage.
Does high-density grazing mimic grazing patterns of game?
In their paper on high-density grazing in Southern Africa, professors Angelinus Franke and Elmarie Kotzé from the Department of Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences at the University of the Free State say high-density grazing systems may not accurately reflect natural ecosystems. Roelof Bezuidenhout reports.
Global grain outlook: 2024/25 marketing season
In its latest summer crops report, the Crop Estimates Committee says South African farmers intend to plant 4,47 million hectares of summer grains and oilseeds in the 2024/25 season, up 1% from the previous season. As South Africa exports maize and soya bean, Annelie Coleman reports on the latest trends in the international grain and oilseed markets, amid fluctuations in weather conditions and ongoing armed conflicts.
