Cape Town-based Protea Hotels, Africa's largest hotel group and winner of Top Hotel Brand of the year 2007 - for a third consecutive year - has experienced considerable growth in the last year. During this time Protea Hotels has added another four top-class hotels to its portfolio and has extended its existing marketing agreement with Hospitality Property Fund (HPF).

According to Danny Bryer, Protea Hotels Group Sales and Marketing Director, it has been a productive period for the hotel group, increasing its market share by opening prestigious hotels in ideal locations. "The extension of the HPF agreement is the fruition of an established relationship with the company. We have a proven track record with Hospitality Property Fund and they have recognised our expertise with the marketing of their existing properties."

The HPF deal sees Protea Hotels marketing eight prime properties such as The Mount Grace Country House & Spa (Magaliesburg), The Rosebank (Johannesburg), The Hazyview Hotel (Kruger National Park) The Winkler Hotel (Mpumulanga), The Richards and Bayshore Inn (Richards Bay), The Hluhluwe Hotel and Safari and The Imperial (Pietermaritzburg).

Adding to their existing portfolio of 103 hotels, new hotels joining the Protea Hotel portfolio in 2007/ 2008 include the Protea Hotel Colosseum, the Protea Hotel Kimberley and the Protea Hotel Montrose.

The R100 million Protea Hotel Colosseum, situated on the top two floors of the mixed-use Colosseum building - a growing trend in Cape Town developments - consists of 62 spacious suites and eight luxurious penthouses that boast breathtaking views of Table Mountain.

The Protea Hotel Kimberely - ideally located facing the world famous Big Hole - has an external facade designed to conform to buildings erected in the area between 1889 and 1914. This hotel caters for both the business and leisure markets with internal finishes that present a new four-star hotel offering of world class accommodation while honouring the rich history of Kimberley.

Strategically located between Johannesburg and Durban, the Protea Hotel Montrose offers a three-star experience for travellers to rest and unwind. The hotel - predominately designed to cater for its business market - offers meet-and-greet areas such as a bar and corporate lounge and also boasts world class conference facilities.

"With such a successful term behind us the hotel group is looking forward to a challenging 2008 where we can diversify our property portfolio and extend our national footprint even further," concludes Bryer.

Source: Cape Business News