Tsogo Sun’s Southern Sun Maputo, now the largest hotel in the Mozambican capital, has re-opened after a four-month hiatus during which the hotel went through a US$30 million expansion and makeover that has added significant appeal, interest and comfort for business and leisure guests.

In 2013, Mozamique experienced a real GDP growth of 7%, expected to climb significantly in the next few years, which is why Tsogo Sun has invested a great deal in the revamp of this hotel. “It makes sense to embrace the opportunities and invest in Mozambique, with its growing economy and its attractiveness to South Africans as well as international travellers,” says Richard Weilers, COO of Tsogo Sun hotels. “Southern Sun Maputo has benefitted from a strong trading performance and we believe this expansion and refurbishment programme, together with its location as the only Maputo hotel on the beach, will cement it as the destination hotel of choice in the city.”

Travelling to Maputo is increasingly easy for South Africans as flights from Johannesburg and Durban are regular and take about an hour.

Southern Sun Maputo’s extensive renovations included the addition of 111 rooms and conference facilities, refurbishing of the existing 158 rooms and public areas, and expanding the restaurant, lobby, and back-of-house facilities.

In addition, the investment by Tsogo Sun included importing a special beach cleaning machine from Connecticut in America, which cleans the beach every day, ensuring that it’s pristine for the hotel guests at all times. “We’re not just taking ownership of the hotel, but of the beach as well, which we believe falls under our care,” says Weilers. “We obtained authorisation from the municipal authorities, who were very supportive of our environmentally-aware efforts.”

Weilers describes the essence of the ‘new’ Southern Sun Maputo brand as ‘surprising’, with spaces, beautiful touches and elegant décor that give a sense of intimacy to the hotel, despite its size. Mediterranean influences from Mozambique’s rich history have been incorporated into every aspect of the hotel in the new design, including carpets, fabrics and furnishing detail.

“Areas that have been expanded include the lounge and bar area which now features a wooden deck that extends to the beach, as well as the restaurant. A special residents’ lounge with key card entry has also been created overlooking a several hundred year old fig tree in the gardens that has been decorated with chandeliers to offer an inspiring ambience – as well as a special place to relax,” says Weilers.

The restaurant, aptly named Evolve, is designed to provide a completely different look and feel from daytime to night-time. Offering an outstanding view over the Bay of Maputo, clever lighting application transforms the atmosphere of the restaurant from a cool, fresh feel with a touch of blue at breakfast, to a warm, romantic and intimate venue with a touch of red, at night.

Bruce Chapman, General Manager of Southern Sun Maputo, says that alongside the dramatic renovations that have transformed the hotel, special attention has also been given to staff training to ensure that service excellence is part and parcel of the new hotel offering. –“We had to ensure that our ‘new’ hotel, which promises ‘pleasant surprises’ to guests at every turn, would also give guests the perfect level of service – genuinely friendly, exceptionally helpful, and properly authentic.”

With the hotel embraced by perfect views due to it’s idyllic location in the Bay of Maputo, guests are said to experience a special vacation or business trip with heart-felt happy memories, leaving lasting impressions.