VALUE OF THE MONTH FOR NOVEMBER
To Provide Value and Superior, Personalised Service
PRIMROSE HOUSE
Human Resources
We are proud to celebrate the impressive athletic achievements of several team members. A round of applause goes to Anton Noll (Sales Manager - UK & Europe), Daniel Mongwe (Duty Manager, Waterside), Tamryn Talmage-Pieterse (HR/IR Generalist) and Andrew Damoto (Creditors & Stores Controller, The Silo) who all recently completed marathons with fantastic times. A special congratulations to Tamryn on completing her first full marathon! Additionally, James Matumba (Stock Controller, The Silo) tackled a challenging 10km race and a shoutout to Luis Pinheiro (General Manager, The Silo), who accomplished a 103-kilometre walk over three days.
Thank you to everyone who participated in our recent Employee Engagement Survey. With a strong completion rate of 76% across the group, we appreciate your valuable feedback. Reports will be sent to each property, and we encourage Management and HR to review them carefully. We’re committed to addressing your input to ensure a positive workplace for all.
A reminder that we have updated our Substance Abuse Policy and recently held a training session to discuss it. If you have a TRP email address, you can access the policy under the HR folder in the TRP Hub on Microsoft Teams or all employees can access it under the Knowledge Hub on Connecteam.
Looking ahead, we’re wrapping up our training sessions for the year, with plans to conclude by early December. Upcoming sessions include training on leave management, understanding UIF and how and when to claim, a session on how to effectively use Microsoft 365, and a session on Vision led by Matt Biden (Chief Executive Officer).
Marketing
The Marketing team has been buzzing with activity, primarily focused on preparations for Franschhoek House. Over the past few weeks, we sent out a stunning mailer that aligns with our visual language and narrative. This campaign is generating excitement, with impressive open rates and click-throughs. We hope you've noticed the Franschhoek House presence on social media, as we build momentum toward the launch.
In addition to the mailer, we've published a series of blog posts, particularly centered on contemporary African art at The Silo Hotel. One feature highlights Wilfred Timire, a talented Zimbabwean artist currently exhibiting in the Vault at the hotel. His unique approach to storytelling through canvas selection is remarkable, and we’re building a video series to showcase more artists like him. Laura Siebert (Marketing Project Manager) is working on a project to spotlight the exceptional artists who exhibit at the hotel, so stay tuned for more.
Meanwhile, our website has received some updates. Franschhoek House now has dedicated pages on The Royal Portfolio website, where visitors can book, inquire and explore available amenities and activities. Although photography will be added once the build is complete, we’re using renders and curated imagery for now to give guests a preview of what's to come.
We've also been engaging readers with a group-wide mailer recap, including stories about the Lion Prides at Royal Malewane, along with an article on the diverse activities in Cape Town, curated by the Concierge Team at The Silo Hotel. This insider guide provides guests and travel agents with a range of local experiences to consider when planning an extended stay.
For our press strategy, we're excited to announce a fresh approach for Franschhoek House. This time, we’re sharing a visually rich, multi-page PDF rather than a traditional Word document. The press release, paired with gift packs featuring items from La Residence, will soon reach the media.
Recent PR highlights include features in Decanter, a prominent UK wine publication, and Grazia, a magazine with a wide audience. Royal Malewane was beautifully spotlighted, along with TRP's broader brand.
October saw a number of influential journalists visiting our properties, we’re thrilled about the potential coverage to follow!
A recent highlight for our team was a beautiful new video reel showcasing afternoon tea at La Residence. With the help of the La Residence team, we captured the elegance of the experience, and it’s now live on social media.
Additionally, we’ve introduced new wildlife illustrations for the adult Safari Guide checklist, bringing the experience to life through visuals and icons.
We are also focusing on authentic storytelling by capturing the personal journeys of our staff. One recent video featured Sandile Mnyuka (F&B Manager), sharing heartfelt insights about his career and dreams. These unscripted moments resonate deeply, and we’re committed to continuing this series to highlight the incredible individuals within our team.
Lastly, we always look forward to sharing some beautiful images captured by Lourenco Afonso (Wildlife Photographer and Content Creator) of both wildlife and the lodges.
Sales
The Sales team has been very busy and are out and about on sales drives, bringing in new business and forging connections. Werner Krause (Sales Manager - USA) is currently in the United States, representing us at three major trade shows. Felipe Bonahora (Sales Manager - Latin America) hosted a memorable Creative Travel FAM trip, showcasing all our properties, while Anton Noll (Sales Manager - UK & Europe) joined Edward Morton (Ambassador) in the UK in September and visited the Benelux region in October. Ian Taylor (Sales & Revenue Manager) has been holding down the fort in South Africa, conducting product training sessions with our ground handlers.
A heartfelt thank you goes out to all our properties and teams for their exceptional hospitality during site inspections with agents. Many have commented on the thoughtful touches they experienced, from a welcoming cup of coffee to a refreshing drink after a tour. Small gestures like these, which might seem routine, truly set us apart and leave a lasting impression. These moments of warmth and care are noticed and appreciated, and they play a significant role in building strong relationships with our partners.
Events
October was a busy month with many memorable events, and I’d like to extend a huge thank you to our property teams for their exceptional dedication. During my recent site inspections at La Residence and Birkenhead House, guests were truly impressed by the warm, attentive care they experienced.
At La Residence, we hosted several celebrations, including a first birthday party. One family, who had held their twins' baby shower with us at the beginning of the year, returned for the first birthday celebration and are already planning future events with us. It’s wonderful to see such loyal guests. Chef Cheslin Cornelissen (Executive Chef) and Chef Granville Riffel's (Terrace Chef) culinary creations were a highlight, receiving rave reviews.
Birkenhead House was the venue for an intimate and elegant Babor product launch, attended by guest house representatives in the region. This smaller gathering was a perfect fit for the space, allowing everyone to enjoy the stunning ambiance and personalised experience. The event was beautifully executed, with lovely gift bags provided to guests as a special touch.
This past weekend, La Residence hosted a romantic elopement for an in-house couple. The groom was particularly taken with the small, thoughtful gestures from our team, repeatedly mentioning how noticeable it was that our staff genuinely love what they do. He expressed heartfelt appreciation for the friendly smiles and warmth he felt from everyone he encountered. A special shout-out to the entire team for creating such a welcoming and memorable experience.
As we move forward, we’re gearing up for the festive season with a series of celebrations. Our talented Marketing team has put together beautiful invitations, which I’ll be sharing soon.
PROPERTIES UPDATE
Birkenhead House
At Birkenhead House, we continue to impress guests with unique, hands-on experiences such as mussel picking and learning about different types of seaweed which is then followed by a cooking session in the kitchen, complete with a glass of wine. This activity has been a hit, with guests enthusiastically taking photos and sharing their enjoyment.
Our efforts in personalised guest experiences are paying off. Recent guests from Florida, who spent two weeks with us primarily for golf, have already booked another two-week stay for February. As seasoned travelers, they appreciate the quality and consistency of their experience at Birkenhead House, which they’ve returned to annually for four years.
Congratulations to Chef Sheldon Wolfe (Senior Chef de Partie), who won the Chaine des Rotisseurs Young Chef competition! This win highlights his skill, attention to detail, and ethical cooking practices, such as minimising waste. Special thanks to Chef Clive Biggs (Head Chef) for his guidance and support throughout the competition.
Additionally, we’ve introduced a new drinks menu featuring fresh smoothies and cold-pressed juices, allowing guests to create custom juice blends from a variety of fruits and vegetables. Apple and ginger has become a popular choice!
Our commitment to social responsibility shines through our involvement with the local night shelter. Twice a month, our team prepares a meal—typically a stew with rice and dessert—that we bring and serve to the shelter's residents. This effort has built Birkenhead House’s reputation in Hermanus as a supportive community member.
To enhance guest satisfaction, we’re introducing new dessert options and a poolside menu featuring items like pizzas, burgers, cheese platters, and fruit platters available during late afternoon.
Following the Babor product launch event at Birkenhead House, sales of this range are performing exceptionally well, driven by our dedicated spa team. Congratulations to everyone involved in making this launch a success.
The Silo Hotel
Recently, we hosted a FAM trip led by the Sales team and with several U.S. agents in attendance. The group enjoyed dinner at the Granary Café, where they were delighted with a family-style experience, sampling the entire menu. This unique dining approach received fantastic feedback!
We've had engaging team-building activities across departments, providing a mix of fun and relaxation for our teams. The Housekeeping team enjoyed a mini sports day at Battery Park with soccer, cricket, and netball.
Meanwhile, Finance and HR got a chance to unwind with an exciting axe-throwing session in Salt River.
Our F&B and Kitchen teams recently competed in the Inter Hotel Challenge in Cape Town. The team members participated in various categories like Wine Steward, Barista, and Culinary events. We’re eagerly awaiting the results announcement on 7 November 2024.
A warm welcome to our new staff, who attended a recent induction event in the Wisdom Room. The half-day conference, hosted by the HR team was informative and featured treats prepared by the kitchen team.
Our new Royal Tea offering has been well-received, with beautiful arrangements from Chef Bianca Schreuder (Head Pastry Chef) and her team, complemented by a tea-tasting experience.
Our Silo soccer team participated in a local tournament and won the final - congratulations to everyone involved! We also observed World Mental Health Day on October 10, encouraging staff to reach out to HR or HCOM for support.
La Residence
October has been a bustling month, filled with memorable moments and excellent guest feedback. Among the highlights, we welcomed a Mexican FAM trip, where guests enjoyed special experiences like a gin & tonic station at sunset on the helipad. An American family also shared their visit, arriving in All Blacks jerseys and leaving proudly in Springbok gear.
Our male peacocks are showing off their full feathers, adding a lively spectacle around the hotel, while Sheryldine (Sherry) Maree (Florist) has been creating stunning flower arrangements for our guests.
Our team has been hard at work behind the scenes, from preparing the pool to crafting desserts, and getting e-bikes ready for scenic rides.
Additionally, Chef Cheslin Cornelissen (Executive Chef), who recently joined La Residence, hosted his first Chef’s Table with great success and glowing reviews from guests.
October saw the completion of our culture cards initiative as well as training as a priority, with Duty Managers completing first aid training.
We also held training sessions with Ming Wei from Nigiro Tea, which will help the team elevate our afternoon tea experience, while staff also received training on updated policies and procedures.
Our team has been enhancing guest experiences with fresh juice bottles in beautifully designed labels, a breakfast pack treat, and pickled vegetables by Chef Granville Riffel (Terrace Chef).
New setups for sunset drinks by the dam have been well-received, and a dinner in the wine cellar is in the works, with a new menu launch coming soon.
We're excited to share a glimpse of the upcoming festive season! This year's Christmas theme will have a Nordic vibe, with the team planning beautiful décor and entertainment. For New Year’s Eve, we're embracing a "Greek Gods" theme with elegant gold and white aesthetics, featuring special decorations sourced nearby.
Royal Malewane
This month, we curated unique bush experiences for our guests, including a surprise birthday celebration for returning guests, a honeymoon bush breakfast, a gender reveal and a Halloween-inspired gin tasting.
Our Halloween festivities included elegant decor, frozen margaritas with activated charcoal, and a lovely dinner setup that guests thoroughly enjoyed.
We also curated personalised birthday dinners for a family who celebrated a 7th and 70th birthday during their stay with us.
Congratulations to Ryan Jack (Head Professional Field Guide) for earning his Southern Birding qualification!
Marguerite Brunsdon (Styles & Comfort Coordinator) led a Merchandising training session for the Front Office team, covering effective categorisation and display strategies to help boost sales.
Staff across Malewane and Waterside also completed their management and leadership course, with an award ceremony planned soon and we have all thoroughly enjoyed catching up with Victor Borchers (Executive Coach) in person, during his visit to the bush.
In another training opportunity, Wonder Mlambo (Senior Barman), attended a comprehensive four-day wine tasting course in Cape Town, which included cocktail training and visits to various properties.
To elevate the safari experience, the Safari team has introduced cocktail kits with margarita-making essentials, enhancing sundowner stops in the bush. The F&B departments also attended a very informative wine training presented by Ex Animo.
We're also exploring a new African coffee blend featuring Rwandan and Ugandan beans, demonstrated with a siphon and pour-over coffee brewing setup, which was well-received by the team.
Staff from Malewane Lodge participated in a chicken run, collecting litter to beautify the area. They also visited Langutelani Creche to lend maintenance support.
Recently, we hosted a French Canadian film crew that documented our bush experiences, traditional cooking, and even a friendly soccer match with community teams.
Following recent storms, our Maintenance team stepped in to assist after a power outage caused The Farmstead’s generator to fail, requiring the transfer of perishable items. We’re also improving the upkeep of antique wooden doors and our gardens at Africa House, which are thriving and looking beautiful.
The team held a celebratory braai at Farmstead for Victor Borchers (Executive Coach), and we enjoyed various meals with him as well. Additionally, we shared a recent sighting of a leopard that casually strolled up to our HOD's front step, making for an unforgettable moment.
Our guests and team alike are thrilled to see the arrival of baby animals, including hyena pups, lion cubs, and even a baby elephant—a beautiful reminder of the vibrant life surrounding us.
FOUNDATION UPDATE
Our relationship with Empowers Africa continues to play a vital role in our conservation efforts, allowing international guests to donate with the added benefit of tax deductions. Through this partnership, we’ve received over half a million Rand in the past six months, made possible by generous guest donations and auctioned prizes. This financial support has funded a range of projects, including R44 000 towards our canine unit and contributions to the computer lab at the local crèche. Each donation not only helps us to sustain conservation initiatives but also strengthens the bond between our guests and our vision.
At the Conservation & Research Centre (CRC), we hosted various workshops and collaborations, creating a space where like-minded organisations can come together to advance conservation goals. This month, Global Conservation Force conducted a forensics workshop that brought together partners from nearby reserves.
Our canine unit handlers also participated in a hands-on track-and-sign workshop, improving their awareness of surroundings during patrols and enhancing safety on the reserve.
Additionally, our partnership with Berettavale Detection enabled our canine unit to receive specialised training in detection and decoy work, adding invaluable skills to our team.
In one of the most heartwarming stories shared recently, we learned of a rhino that found its way back to her original home. Years ago, before Waterside became part of the Thornybush Reserve, the previous owners had sold this female rhino to a breeding programme. Following her rewilding, she journeyed across kilometers to return to Waterside, a place she instinctively recognised as home. Stories like these remind us of the power and importance of rewilding initiatives and reinforce our dedication to wildlife preservation.
Community engagement has also been a focal point, with guests taking part in unique and impactful experiences. A recent guest trip included visits to the crèche where they witnessed a graduation ceremony and made significant donations towards enhancing the facilities. They even participated in demonstrations with the canine unit, gaining firsthand insight into the dedication and skill of our handlers and their dogs. Such experiences not only inspire our guests but also leave lasting benefits for our conservation programs.
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, team members across The Royal Portfolio:
TO RECOGNISE, REWARD AND UPLIFT
PROMOTIONS & INTERNAL MOVEMENTS
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:
Nicky Farmer (Head of Talent @ PH) | 5 Years on the 11th of November 2024
Remember Mabuza (Maintenance Technician @ ML) | 5 Years on the 13th of November 2024
Aviwe Ntunja (Pastry Chef de Partie @ LR) | 10 Years on the 1st of November 2024
Walter Mayindi (Waiter @ ML) | 15 Years on the 23rd of November 2024
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