TRP News 03/11/2025

VALUE OF THE MONTH FOR NOVEMBER

To be Financially Sustainable

PRIMROSE HOUSE

Human Resources

La Residence recently hosted us for the annual RCC, where we enjoyed a full programme of presentations and activities. We want to extend a big thank you to the La Residence team for welcoming us so warmly and accommodating everyone, even while you were already busy with your own guests. It was such a wonderful experience, and the energy and participation from everyone made it even more special.

Victor is currently in the Bush, spending this week at Masiya's Camp before moving on to Birkenhead House, The Silo, and then Head Office. Despite the operational challenges, we are confident that everyone is benefiting from his visits and insights.

On the topic of parental leave and the latest Constitutional Court decision, there’s still a bit of uncertainty. Implementation is said to take up to 36 months, and we’re receiving mixed information about the process, requirements, and documentation. To get a clearer picture, we’ll be attending a training session next week to understand exactly what’s needed from our side. For now, if you’re an expectant father and your baby is due in the next few months, please email Estelle@trp.travel or Tamryn@trp.travel directly so we can speak with you individually. Once we have all the details confirmed, we’ll share a full update on how the new parental leave will work.

At Primrose, we also had some fun celebrating Oktoberfest with a beer-tasting session hosted by Wayve Kolevsohn (Group Beverage Manager). It was such an enjoyable and educational afternoon, learning about the different beers, what goes into them, and even trying to taste the differences. It was a lovely way to spend time together as a team.

The upcoming month will feature several training opportunities, including sessions on the future of luxury hospitality, the TRP Sales team, parental leave updates in South Africa and building a culture of trust. Please reach out to your property HR should you not already have a link to join the sessions.

Marketing

The Marketing team recently launched new corporate spa packages at The Silo Hotel. The team hosted a small event about two weeks ago, inviting members of the media and local businesses to experience the offering firsthand. The goal was to elevate the spa’s profile from a corporate perspective and introduce guests to the new wellness menu, seasonal packages, and the corporate options available to nearby companies in the V&A Waterfront area. From a marketing standpoint, our role was to co-ordinate the event and manage the invitations, which you can see on screen.

We’ve also been working closely with The Silo Hotel on several brand and guest experience updates. One of these involves aligning guest questionnaires with Leading Hotels of the World standards, including Net Promoter Score requirements. The Silo requested a small in-room card encouraging guests to scan a QR code to complete their feedback online, so we’ve designed that. We’ve also created new children’s welcome cards, featuring lovely illustrations inspired by The Silo’s iconic pillowed windows, which we’re now integrating into other pieces of collateral for a cohesive look.

To support the sales team, we’ve developed a visual tool that highlights each property’s unique selling points throughout the year. It’s a month-by-month wheel that captures seasonal experiences and activities for every property, reinforcing that our destinations are year round attractions.

In addition to this, we’ve been updating a variety of brand collateral across the properties to ensure consistency in tone, design, and visual storytelling. This includes refreshed welcome notes and new branded templates that reflect our current look and feel. We’ve also finalised the updated Photographer’s Guide, which provides direction for all future content creation. The guide outlines our visual identity, covering everything from lighting and composition to subject matter and tone, to ensure that every new image captured across the collection continues to reflect our signature style of understated luxury and a deep sense of place.

We’ve also seen some great media coverage lately, with features from Expat Living to Forbes. It’s encouraging to see our properties gaining recognition in such high profile international publications.

From a content perspective, we took a slightly different approach with a recent blog post that focused on the ambient sounds of the bush. The idea was to make the sensory elements, the sights, sounds, and atmosphere, central to the story. The piece invited readers to imagine themselves out on a game drive, listening to the natural sounds around them. We plan to explore this further, possibly through podcasts or short sensory “moments of calm” in the future.

On the digital front, we’re working with Meta to grow our databases and with YouTube to expand our subscriber base. We have excellent video content that deserves more reach, so the goal is to get more eyes on it. The Meta campaign is running simultaneously, encouraging newsletter sign ups through Instagram. It’s a simple two step process where users enter their name, email, and country, and the information automatically integrates into HubSpot as an opt in contact. This helps us continue building a strong, direct database.

We’re also continuing our collaboration with Leading Hotels of the World on co-branding. The LHW logo now appears on our homepage, in the footer, across social media bios, and in our emailers, ensuring full alignment with their brand requirements.

A big milestone for us is the launch of live availability on our agent portal. This allows trade partners to view up-to-date room availability across all properties, filter by region or property, and get a quick snapshot before contacting reservations. While there’s a slight delay on live updates, it’s an invaluable tool for agents. We’ll be sending out communication about it next week.

Staying with the digital theme, we’ve also launched online bookings for The Silo Hotel Spa. It took a bit longer than expected, but it’s now live and working beautifully. Guests can book directly on the website without needing to email the spa and wait for a response, a real game changer. Huge thanks to the team at The Silo Hotel for making it happen.

We’ve also been working on a couple of new Instagram Reels, which haven’t gone live yet. One is designed to evoke calm through the sounds of the bush, ASMR style moments that bring together water trickling, cocktails being poured, and the quiet rhythm of housekeeping. The other focuses on what to pack for a safari, offering a slightly more masculine take.

Lastly, we’ve received some stunning new photography from Lourenco Afonso (Wildlife Photographer and Social Media Content Creator) in the bush. His latest work captures close up textures of animals, elephant skin, zebra stripes, and other abstract details that beautifully reflect the essence of the wilderness. They’re striking images that perfectly express the texture and mood of the bush.

Sales

October has been a very busy month for the Sales team, with numerous site inspections across our properties. Penny Fraser (Sales Manager - UK & Europe) has been hosting trade visitors from Germany, Switzerland, the UK, and Russia, ensuring they get a firsthand experience of what we offer. She also attended the Cartology workshop at Spier, which was both enjoyable and valuable for building connections with US and UK agents.

When our team is in Cape Town, we make sure to get them out to meet local DMCs as well. Julian Jansen (Sales Co-ordinator) had the chance to join some of these visits, which was great to see. Ian Taylor (Sales & Revenue Manager) recently completed a sales trip to Johannesburg, giving presentations and keeping our properties top of mind with the DMCs there.

Hoon Kim (Sales Manager - Asia Pacific) wrapped up a six-week sales trip across Asia and Australia, attending Luxperience and various sales calls, which is an exciting and largely untapped market for us. We’re hopeful this effort will bring results in Australia and across other Asian markets.

Nigel Pace (Executive Head of Sales) and Simon Mandy (Managing Director) also recently returned from the United States, where they conducted sales calls in Denver and attended the Safari Pros annual gathering.

Over two days, we held discussions and rolling presentations with teams of tour operators. We also visited Travel Beyond in Minneapolis, attended events in New York with Leading Hotels, and hosted a key client gathering.

It was a great opportunity to reconnect with long standing partners and meet new contacts. On a lighter note, there was a Halloween party hosted by Jessica from Leading Hotels.

We still have a lot of travel coming up. Werner Krause (Sales Manager - USA) is currently in Texas on sales calls, Hoon is traveling to the Bush today, and I’ll be joining him tomorrow. We’ll be hosting agents and tour operators at Mercia Camp and Waterside soon, ensuring our team continues to build strong relationships and showcase our properties. That concludes the update from sales.

Events

Leading up to October, our events calendar was incredibly full, and the team at La Residence went above and beyond, assisting with multiple events while still maintaining exceptional service for all our guests. October kicked off with the RCC, and alongside that, we hosted four elopements and an engagement, all while continuing with festive planning in collaboration with the marketing team and our various properties.

We received some exciting news with a winter wedding booked for 2026 at La Residence, which promises to be truly magical. With the romantic atmosphere of winter and candlelit dinners, engagement inquiries were also soaring, with guests already planning as far ahead as 2028. Corporate inquiries also contributed to a very busy month.

Many of our elopement guests stayed on property for two to four nights, and we were delighted to assist them with every detail of their celebrations. Amy and Adam enjoyed a special cruise on the pond, fulfilling a bucket-list experience, while Fiona and Julie had a memorable ceremony that Leana Nienaber (Events Co-ordinator) personally photographed, stepping in to ensure they had beautiful keepsakes. Stanislav and Anastasia enjoyed a lovely pondside elopement with support from the coordinator from Yard Travel to help overcome language barriers.

Alfie and Amelia’s proposal was particularly spectacular, with their room completely adorned with flowers, from the bedposts to the bed itself, creating an unforgettable moment.

The feedback from all our guests was overwhelmingly positive, with handwritten notes and comments in the property guestbooks highlighting their appreciation for the team’s efforts and attention to detail. October was truly a memorable month, and we’re looking forward to a busy November.

PROPERTIES UPDATE

Birkenhead House

Summer has arrived at Birkenhead House, bringing with it beautiful mornings and vibrant energy. Our breakfasts have been especially delightful, and it’s been wonderful to see guests enjoying the stunning ocean views as the day begins.

Guest feedback continues to warm our hearts, with many kind words expressing appreciation for the hospitality and memorable experiences they’ve had during their stays.

One of our recent groups, the Feng Li family, spent three nights with us and truly embraced all that the coast has to offer. We arranged fishing excursions, mussel picking and cooking sessions, a visit to the abalone farm, and live music in the evenings. We even cooked the fish they caught themselves and treated them to fresh oysters and abalone. Their handwritten note of thanks was a lovely touch, and we’re so pleased they enjoyed their stay so much.

Our team continues to explore new experiences to enhance both guest offerings and staff development. The ladies from the hotel and reservations department recently took part in a sunset cruise trial, getting a firsthand feel for what future guests might enjoy. We also had a productive wine training session to further strengthen our team’s knowledge. As part of our thoughtful guest care, we’ve introduced wellness kits for anyone feeling unwell during their stay, complete with comforting remedies to help them recover quickly.

The Housekeeping department enjoyed a well-deserved team-building afternoon at Voëlklip Beach, a simple but uplifting way to reconnect and recharge. Chef Melvyn van Aarde (Chef de Partie) has also been sharing his expertise, teaching the art of foraging for fresh local greens that we incorporate into our guest meals.

Development remains a strong focus, and it’s been exciting to welcome a number of new starters to the Birkenhead team. They’ve been completing their Purpose and Values inductions, and we’re proud to celebrate Joseph Mati (Maintenance Supervisor), who earned the title of Employee of the Month.

Our team also continues to give back to the community through our partnership with the local night shelter. It’s always a humbling and inspiring experience to serve there, and we were moved by how many staff members, especially new starters, volunteered to be part of it. It’s heartening to see their compassion and willingness to contribute.

Lastly, our culture sessions with Nikita Benade (Front Office Manager) have been full of energy and engagement. She’s been reinforcing our Vision, Purpose and Values in creative ways, including fun, interactive games that help new staff internalise our culture while building camaraderie. Seeing her high-fiving Alicia Snyers (Stock Controller) during one of these sessions perfectly captured the spirit of teamwork and positivity that defines Birkenhead House. It’s been a rewarding and busy time for our team, and we’re excited for what’s ahead.

The Silo Hotel

It’s been a wonderfully full and rewarding month for us at The Silo Hotel. Guest satisfaction remains at the heart of everything we do, and we’ve received some really great feedback, particularly praising our Concierge team, for their consistent warmth and support in assisting guests throughout their stay. It’s always uplifting to see our guests taking the time to acknowledge the extra care and attention our team provides.

October also saw the team come together for Mental Health Awareness Month. We marked the occasion with a sunrise hike up Lion’s Head on the 11th of October, an inspiring way to start the day and a wonderful reminder of the importance of balance, wellbeing, and connection.

On the development front, both our F&B and Concierge teams have been hard at work preparing for the annual Inter Hotel Challenge. This year’s theme focused on France, and Chelsea Jephthah (Assistant Concierge) took the lead in creating an intricate four-day itinerary for French travellers. The team performed brilliantly, and we’re looking forward to the results being announced in December.

There have been some exciting operational updates too. The kitchen renovation project is now complete, which included reconfiguring the pastry and walk-in fridge areas for improved efficiency. I have to commend the team for their adaptability and professionalism throughout the process, they managed to deliver seamless service despite the inevitable chaos of builders, electricians, and equipment moves. The rooftop has also undergone a beautiful transformation thanks to the design team and our maintenance crew. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, especially on the new non-slip tiles and refreshed décor, which have made the space not only safer but more elegant than ever.

We recently hosted our corporate spa menu launch, welcoming around 45 local businesses over the course of the day. It was a truly successful event, with suppliers giving informative presentations and guests enjoying tours of the spa. Despite a breezy afternoon, the atmosphere was vibrant, and we’re so grateful to Adrian Kaplan (Executive Head of Marketing) and the Marketing team for their exceptional work on both the event and the new spa menu.

On the social responsibility side, it was wonderful to reconnect with Leliebloem, a children’s organisation we’ve supported in the past. After a period of challenges, they reopened their doors, and we were able to visit on the 15th of October. Spending time with the kids, playing soccer, dancing, and sharing snacks, was as heartwarming as ever, and it’s always grounding to be reminded of the joy that comes from giving back.

We also had a proud Culture Corner moment when Veronica Canha-Hibbert (Executive Chef) and Bianca Schreuder (Head Pastry Chef) represented The Silo Hotel live on Heart FM. They spoke beautifully about the rooftop renovations and our property’s continued innovation while treating the radio presenters to some of our signature snacks, an engaging and delicious way to showcase who we are.

Lastly, October ended on a high note with a bit of friendly competition at the FEDHASA Golf Day. Our internal rivalry with Birkenhead House brought plenty of laughs, and although they lost this round, the day was a great success, we placed 10th out of 36 teams. To top it all off, we celebrated a personal milestone within our team, our concierge, Cemone Harrod, got engaged! She’s returned from leave glowing with happiness, and we couldn’t be more thrilled for her. It’s been a dynamic, joyful, and inspiring month all around.

La Residence

It’s been another wonderfully vibrant and rewarding month at La Residence, filled with memorable guest moments, exciting developments, and heartfelt team achievements. We had the pleasure of hosting John and Debs, who shared a beautiful story about how, thirty years ago, John once asked a restaurant to dim the lights for a proposal. Remembering that, we made sure to preempt every detail for their dinner with perfectly adjusted lighting and a handwritten note at their table, it was a simple touch that meant so much to them. We also welcomed a Dutch family celebrating young Luke’s ninth birthday, and Marijke Kruger (Guest Relations Officer) a created a special birthday card for him in Dutch, which the family truly appreciated. Our welcome baskets have continued to add a thoughtful, personal touch for guests celebrating milestones, from elopements to anniversaries, making each occasion just that bit more memorable.

Within the team, we celebrated Irna Geritse (Laundry Attendant) as our Culture Champ for September, recognising her warmth and commitment to our values. We also surprised our General Manager, Craig Versfeld, with a morning meeting celebration for his birthday, complete with a cake and the team singing our Purpose and Values before breaking into “Happy Birthday.” Moments like these bring so much joy and connection to the team. A heartfelt thank-you also goes out to our front-of-house staff for their care and kindness when Aphiwe Dokolwane (Head Barman) ill they checked in, brought flowers, and made sure he felt supported while recovering.

Development remains a strong focus, and it was fantastic to see Victor Borchers (Executive Coach) completing his leadership course and presenting certificates to our team, all of whom passed with excellent results. We’re now in the process of developing personalised growth plans for each team member, which we’ll be launching early next year to continue fostering career development and empowerment.

Our innovation efforts have kept the property looking as exceptional as ever. Thank you to the Design team for their beautiful work refreshing our rooms with new upholstery and carpets, and to the team for enhancing the gardens at Franschhoek House. The new jungle gym outside the Terrace Room has been a wonderful addition for our younger guests, part of our broader focus on creating memorable family experiences.

In the spirit of social responsibility, the foundation team joined students from Wes Eind on a visit to the Reptile and Crocodile Farm in Franschhoek, creating a fun and educational outing for the children. We’re also grateful to the Silo team for donating their cushions, which we’ve repurposed for the Wes Eind School library, giving the children a comfortable place to sit during reading sessions. Two of the school’s beloved teachers, who had each served for 30 years, retired in October, and we invited them to La Residence for breakfast to celebrate their dedication and impact.

Our Culture Corner continues to bring light and energy to the team. We congratulated our stars of the week, Evander Magier (Maintenance Technician) and Chef Emile Myburgh (Senior Sous Chef), both recognised for their outstanding contributions. When Victor returned to the property, the team created a heartfelt display of handwritten messages and reflections on our Purpose and Values, a touching reminder of the camaraderie that runs through La Residence. Craig brought some fun to our Culture Cartel sessions with a lighthearted “Know the Voice” challenge, testing how well our GM could identify team members by their voices, which was a big hit.

We also launched our newest addition to guest experiences, Lady Dawn, which made its debut during one of the elopements. Guests loved the dam cruise, and it’s already becoming a favourite feature for romantic moments.

We were proud to host the RCC with all senior TRP management joining us at La Residence and a big thank you to Janine van Rooyen (Personal Assistant) and Head Office for the arrangements.

Royal Malewane

Malewane Lodge

This month at Malewane has been filled with meaningful guest moments, proud milestones, and uplifting team energy. We’ve received a wonderful wave of positive feedback from our guests, many of whom mentioned members from the F&B team by name, a testament to their warmth and attentiveness. It was also heartening to see our housekeeping team recognised for their consistent excellence, with guests noting how their rooms are always spotless and ready, even when they arrive earlier than expected. Moments like these remind us that genuine hospitality lives in the small, seamless details.

We’ve had some truly special guest experiences recently, from Red Sox fans who enjoyed a tailormade drinks stop and an evening baseball game, to honeymooners and Italian guests who were treated to romantic turndowns and a “Night in Sicily” experience, each one personalised to capture the spirit of celebration and connection.

A major highlight for us was receiving our Three Michelin Keys, an incredible honour that reflects the dedication and passion of every team member. We celebrated this milestone together, recognising the collective effort that makes our lodge exceptional.

We also welcomed new members to our staff forum and extended a warm welcome to our latest group of students. Michelle Broodryk (F&B Manager) has been working closely with them through a weekly book club on Unreasonable Hospitality, where they discuss what it means to go above and beyond for guests, an inspiring initiative that’s already generating great energy among the team.

We were also thrilled to welcome Victor to Malewane. His arrival was met with a joyful “welcome home” banner and a chorus of our Purpose and Values. He’s been working closely with our teams, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and helping new starters understand the deeper meaning of our culture.

Meanwhile, work on the reimagining of Royal Suite 8 and Room 7 is progressing beautifully, and we’re all eagerly awaiting the final reveal.

Our housekeeping team has been particularly creative this month, finding small ways to elevate the guest experience. They’ve been folding towels into artistic shapes and leaving them as surprises for arriving guests, gestures that perfectly align with our purpose of creating a sense of relaxation and enjoyment.

In the spirit of social responsibility, we visited the children at Langutulani Crèche, bringing along food buckets and fresh watermelons. The visit was filled with laughter and gratitude, and it’s always grounding to spend time with the teachers and little ones who make that community so special. Ally Ross (Field Guide) also took her guests to the CRC, deepening their understanding of the local environment, a reminder of how our work can connect people to place in meaningful ways.

Environmental care continues to be a priority, with our utility and maintenance teams dedicating time to cleaning and maintaining the water plants, reinforcing our commitment to conservation and sustainability.

In our Culture Corner, the housekeeping team has been focusing on well-being and connection through a series of yoga sessions led by Fancy Maaroganye (Head Spa Therapist). These moments of calm and mindfulness have been so well received that we plan to continue them regularly. The team also spread a little extra warmth by leaving personal notes in guest and staff rooms, while everyone came together for a collective clean-up around the lodge, a perfect example of teamwork and pride in our environment.

The Farmstead

This month at Farmstead and Farmhouse has been full of memorable guest experiences and team achievements. Despite some unpredictable weather, we managed to create magical moments for our guests, from cozy fireside dinners with dancers to celebrating birthdays with specially prepared cakes by our kitchen team.

Guests were delighted by the unexpected wildlife sightings during check-ins, including rhinos and buffaloes wandering by, which made for truly unforgettable moments. Repeat guests left glowing feedback, praising our team for their attentiveness and engaging educational activities for the kids, including bush walks and interactive games.

On the employee engagement side, we celebrated receiving our Three Michelin Keys with iced tea and cupcakes in the staff canteen. To keep morale high, we’ve also started posting positive guest reviews publicly on our board, encouraging the team and recognising their consistent efforts.

Development has been another highlight this month. Our Senior Maintenance Supervisor, Jonathan Maluleke, volunteered to assist the F&B team during a bush dinner, gaining valuable hands-on experience. Similarly, Fancy stepped in as a host for the first time and excelled, bringing fresh energy to the team. Even Victor enjoyed a restful stay, noting it was the only property where he slept exceptionally well, a testament to the team’s dedication to creating a comfortable and welcoming environment.

Waterside Lodge

This month at Waterside has been full of memorable guest experiences and enhancements to the property. From a customer satisfaction perspective, we created a romantic dinner setup at the Welcome Pavilion overlooking the dam for a wedding anniversary, and a private spa and sundowner setup for a proposal and yes, she said yes! Guests have been leaving glowing feedback on our forms, praising everything from housekeeping to dining and the welcome team.

We also hosted the Vakil family across Waterside House and a few Luxury suites, giving them an afternoon safari followed by a proper night drive with Field Guides Conrad Zeelie and Andi Dill, complete with storytelling at the drink stops, a truly immersive experience they loved.

In addition, Waterside House was the venue for the 2025 Management and Leadership Awards for all Royal Malewane Lodges team members, with Victor presenting awards and a celebration with canapés and snacks afterwards.

On the innovation front, we’re experimenting with zebra-striped wet floor signs for a playful yet practical touch. Financially, we’ve recovered and updated the dining room chairs, giving the space a refreshed look.

In our Culture Corner, the focus has been on creating an environment of relaxation and enjoyment, ensuring all teams respect guest experiences by minimizing disruptions and maintaining a calm, professional environment throughout the lodge. Waterside continues to evolve beautifully, balancing guest experiences, team engagement, and property innovation.

Masiya's Camp

At Masiya’s Camp, the month featured both marketing and employee engagement highlights. A marketing shoot was held with the Marketing team and Rob over four days, capturing a variety of shots, the shared behind-the-scenes images show the effort and creativity that went into the production.

On the employee engagement front, the second-quarter recognition celebrated the team’s outstanding performers. Professor Ngomana (Maintenance Technician) was selected as the overall winner, with congratulations also to our respective department winners. The month reflected both strong team collaboration and creative initiatives at Masiya’s Camp.

FOUNDATION UPDATE

At the Conservation and Research Centre, the team had a very busy and rewarding period focused on education and community engagement. Grade 7 learners from Sihlekisi Primary School participated in conservation lessons, led by Ali McAdam (Foundation Founder) and her team in the absence of Dean. Activities included indoor and outdoor lessons, music, and hands-on experiences, followed by a game drive across the reserve with guides and trackers, giving the students close-up wildlife encounters, including elephants and a big male lion.

We were also fortunate enough to attend the Grade 7's graduation at the school, celebrating both academic and sporting achievements, which was an emotional and joyful event for the children and their families.

Meanwhile, Lee-Anne Sonnekus (Conservation and Research Co-ordinator) attended the Oppenheimer Research Conference in Johannesburg, a three-day event with discussion sessions featuring ministers from various countries. She engaged in networking, explored research posters, and secured potential speakers for next year’s monthly talks.

Additionally, she attended a research symposium at the Graham Naylor Museum, offering valuable networkingportunities with reserve managers and researchers, and showcasing ongoing research by current guests. Both updates highlight strong educational, community, and professional development initiatives.

JOB OPPORTUNITIES AT TRP

Our Careers page is the reference point for all open positions available across The Royal Portfolio group. We accept internal and external applications here, and always, internal applications are given preference.

In order to ensure your application stands out, please apply via the Careers page and let your HOD and property HR Manager know of your desire to develop yourself further.

Feel free to share the site with your industry friends and networks too, in order to help us reach a wider network of exceptional candidates.

You can click here, or scan the QR code to visit the website.

TO BE WELCOMING GENUINE AND WARM

NEW STARTERS

A very warm welcome to the following new, and in some cases, returning or transferring, team members across The Royal Portfolio:

TO RECOGNISE, REWARD AND UPLIFT

PROMOTIONS AND TRANSFERS

Congratulations to the below staff for their hard work and for continuing to go above and beyond to ensure that we Give our Guests a Complete Experience and a Perfect Stay!

LONG SERVICE AWARDS - 5, 10, 15, 20 & 25 Years with TRP in November!

Congratulations and thank you to the following staff for their loyalty and hard work over the years:

• Shadrack Mnisi (Tracker @ ML) | 25 Years on the 01st of November 2025

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