By Cathy Dippnall

The luxury Hyatt Regency hotel at Oubaai golf resort at Herolds Bay was officially opened on Monday night at a glittering function attended by international and local dignitaries, golfer Ernie Els and stakeholders.

At a cost of nearly R1-billion, the deceptively simple lines of the 100-room hotel and spa belie the glittering jewel within.

The flat-roofed Mediterranean-style three-storey hotel with its magnificent views of the sea and the Outeniqua Mountains through floor to ceiling windows is set out on the lines of a village with a central clock tower and is surrounded by cascading pools and fountains.

The land for the resort was bought in 2000 after Karafi Holdings Africa managing director Mahmood Shehata saw the property while on holiday in Herolds Bay.

“I told Mr Karafi about this piece of real estate and he said to buy it, even though we had no plans for the property at the time. A year later we met Ernie Els, and with his vision and our vision we made it come true.”

More than 1500 people were employed in the construction of the resort and hotel and 350 people are now permanently employed there.

Hyatt Hotels’ senior vice- president of operations Europe, Middle East and Africa, Frank Lavey, said he was proud and delighted to open the hotel to the public.

“It is a truly stunning facility and a world-class golf resort. I am thrilled to have fulfilled the operation role here.”

The hotel forms part of the 263ha Oubaai golf resort.

Source: The Herald