In the first Nelson Mandela Bay beach-front spin-off from the 2010 Soccer World Cup, work will get under way this month on a new five-star hotel.

Developers Auspex Property said at the weekend that the sod-turning ceremony for the five-star Reef on Marine Hotel would take place on Tuesday, April 24, at the site, on the corner of Marine Drive and Ninth Avenue, Summerstrand. The 14-floor hotel will have 128 suites.

Auspex has said it considers Nelson Mandela Bay the ideal place for such a hotel because of its recent growth and future potential. A number of investments for 28 days a year in the hotel are being sought.

Plans for another five-star hotel in Madiba Bay are also being considered by a separate company.

The Eastern Cape Herald