FOCUS FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY
The Royal Portfolio Vision - Enriching Lives Through Luxury Travel
PRIMROSE HOUSE
Happy New Year to Everyone!
As we step into a fresh chapter, I want to take a moment to share my heartfelt gratitude.
Each one of you has contributed so much this past year - your unwavering dedication, passion and care have been nothing short of inspiring. You’ve truly made a difference, and for that, I am deeply thankful.
We’re back in Cape Town now, as the construction of Masiya’s Camp enjoys a quieter spell. But in just a week, we’ll return to welcome the builders and embark on an exciting new chapter. There’s plenty to do and only a few months to get it all completed, but I’m confident in what we’ll achieve together.
I’m especially excited about this beautiful new property joining our portfolio. Watching it take shape and imagining the memories that it will create for our guests is truly thrilling.
Thank you again for your incredible support, hard work, and dedication this past year. Here’s to a new year full of promise and success. I look forward to sharing it with all of you!
Warmest regards,
Liz Biden, Founder and Co-Chair
Dear TRP Family,
2024 was a great year for us as a whole and I am immensely proud of what we have achieved together.
We have announced our first hotel project out of South Africa which is a huge step for our group. We are excited to bring our Bahamas project to reality. We continue to build and look for more opportunities in other countries so that we can give our guests a complete experience and a perfect stay across the globe.
Defining and working on our Vision of Enriching Lives through Luxury Travel has been another important step in clarifying our Culture. We can take comfort in knowing that we can always look at our Royal Compass for guidance should we be lost. If you have our vision in mind, if you deliver our purpose, while adhering to our values, we will succeed.
Every year I am reminded that it is our people that make all the difference, it is what sets us apart. Our culture is strong, we know who we are and what we have to do. Thank you all, and let 2025 be even better.
Matthew Biden, Chief Executive Officer
To The Royal Portfolio,
Thank you for a wonderful and fulfilling year.
Looking back at 2024 there were three themes that stood out. Three important themes embraced by everyone and will have impacts far greater and enduring than we’ll be able to measure in the short term.
The first one is change. Changes to team members across the group and across departments have made a notable impact to our delivery and performance. From new babies being born and our colleagues being moms and dads for the first time, to changes in products and equipment in our daily lives, to changes in personnel with skill and substance, to changes in roles and environments. All of these have been exciting and will certainly strengthen us as a team, as The Royal Portfolio.
The second is our culture. 2024 saw an enormous amount of training take place and the VISION of The Royal Portfolio being established and implemented. Enriching Lives through Luxury Travel is our purpose actualised and will have long lasting effects in every area we operate and all who visit our properties. It was also wonderful to see the vision added to our new Culture Cards which were issued through the year. There is more work to come on the vision but what a great start we’ve made.
Lastly, is our hospitality. We learned that good is the enemy of great from Jim Collins – Will Guidara taught us that great hospitality is the enemy of unreasonable hospitality. Being present in order to personalise folds so beautifully into our Purpose – To Give Our Guests a Complete Experience and a Perfect Stay. Reading the Guests Questionnaires each morning, there have been so many small and large actions taken by our teams that truly reflect our pursuit of unreasonable hospitality. Well done and keep being creative.
Here’s to more in 2025!
Best wishes,
Simon Mandy, Managing Director
As we step into this exciting new year, we can’t help but reflect on the achievements and milestones of 2024 while eagerly anticipating the opportunities that lie ahead in 2025. It’s going to be a remarkable year filled with growth, collaboration, and innovation! Last year brought significant wins across the board, and we’re building on that momentum.
Human Resources
Happy New Year to all 684 of you who make up our incredible team! As we step into 2025, I want to take a moment to reflect on the past year and share some key highlights and aspirations from an HR perspective.
2024 was a year of remarkable growth and change for our TRP family. With 27% of our staff joining us as new team members, we have been energised by new skills, perspectives and ideas. To those who are new, welcome again, we are thrilled to have you as part of our team. At the same time, I want to recognise the 35% of our family who have been with us for over five years. Your loyalty and dedication are vital to our success and you are our key element of ensuring that all our new staff live, breath and understand our Values.
Our teams achieved countless milestones in 2024, both personally and professionally. We celebrated new roles, promotions, and the arrival of new family members. These moments enrich not only our lives but also the culture of care and "family feeling" we continue to build.
2024 was also a year of deepened investment in our Culture. From training programs to team-building activities, new Culture cards we focused on creating an environment where everyone feels supported and empowered to give our guest a complete experience and perfect stay.
As we embark on 2025, I encourage each of you to grab opportunities for growth, both individually and as a team. Let’s continue to deliver unreasonable hospitality. Thank you for your hard work, dedication, and the energy you bring every day. Here’s to a fantastic 2025, let’s make it our best year yet!
Warm regards,
Estelle van der Merwe, Group HR Manager
To cap off the year, the Warehouse and Sales Teams all received their Culture Cards. This now means that the entire team at Head Office has completed the necessary steps to receive their cards and we look forward to fostering an even stronger sense of culture in 2025.
We also closed the year off and celebrated with a Secret Santa event, bringing everyone together at Primrose House to share the holiday spirit.
Finally, we’re thrilled to welcome Nigel Pace as our new Executive Head of Sales. Nigel has already hit the ground running, visiting properties throughout January to deepen his understanding of our offerings. We’re confident he’ll make a significant impact, and we wish him every success in his new role.
Sales
As we close the chapter on 2024, the Sales team took a moment to reflect on the year’s accomplishments and share our excitement for what lies ahead in 2025.
A highlight of the year was welcoming Nigel Pace as our new Executive Head of Sales. With his vast experience in the industry, Nigel’s expertise will undoubtedly strengthen our team as we continue to grow and deliver exceptional guest experiences. We’re thrilled to have him on board and look forward to the insights he’ll bring to the table.
While Sales can sometimes seem glamorous, the reality is much more dynamic and hands-on. Between trade shows and countless meetings, we have spent much of the year on the road, ensuring that we maintain valuable in-person connections with agents and clients. These face-to-face interactions remain a cornerstone of our approach, serving as the first step in what ultimately leads to a guest enjoying an unforgettable stay at our properties.
Beyond the travel and presentations, our mission remains clear: to represent The Royal Portfolio with authenticity and purpose. We work hard to ensure that agents and partners worldwide understand who we are, what we stand for, and how we create meaningful guest experiences that reflect our values.
Looking forward to 2025, we’re excited about the opportunities ahead - new projects, key trade shows, and the chance to broaden our reach globally. We’re confident that these efforts will translate into welcoming even more guests to our properties and creating memories that last a lifetime.
Here’s to a successful and inspiring year ahead!
Reservations
As we step into 2025, the reservations team is proud to reflect on a transformative year filled with growth, innovation, and strengthened relationships.
In 2024, we restructured our team to ensure a more collaborative approach, enabling every member to contribute across all types of bookings, the travel desk, and other key areas. One standout initiative was the introduction of the Travel Desk WhatsApp Line, which greatly enhanced communication with both guests and suppliers, allowing for more seamless service and quicker responses.
To sharpen our expertise, we launched monthly reservations refresher sessions, where team members took turns presenting. These sessions, combined with additional training with suppliers and our own properties, have deepened our knowledge and confidence. The team also participated in two educational trips, one to Botswana and another to Victoria Falls, providing first-hand insights into these destinations. This has equipped us to better guide guests and offer personalised travel advice.
Our focus wasn’t solely external; we also prioritised internal growth. A memorable team-building session at Primrose House encouraged trust and collaboration within the team. This enriching experience fostered stronger relationships and created a supportive environment for growth and innovation.
Looking back, 2024 was a year of learning and connection. These efforts have positioned us to provide even more exceptional service to our guests in 2025. Here’s to another successful year of delivering unforgettable experiences!
Events
As we look back on 2024, it’s truly incredible to reflect on the growth and success we experienced throughout the year. I had the privilege of being involved in over 90 events across The Royal Portfolio, and each one was a unique opportunity to create magical moments for our guests.
First and foremost, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to every property and the incredible teams at our hotels and lodges. Your unwavering support, dedication, and passion are what make these events not only possible but also extraordinary. The hard work you put into every detail ensures that our guests leave with unforgettable memories.
I’d also like to extend a special thank you to the sales, marketing, and reservations teams. While your efforts may not always be visible on-site, they are absolutely vital to our success and do not go unnoticed. Your commitment to excellence drives us forward, and I am so excited to see what 2025 holds for us as a team.
This year, our events ranged from elegant weddings to intimate dinners, beach elopements, and vineyard venue functions. Some of the standout moments included crafting personalised napkins for events at Birkenhead, hosting the iconic ESG event, and pulling off countless stunning celebrations that showcased the magic of The Royal Portfolio.
On a personal note, I was thrilled to participate in the management and leadership training program alongside Victor - and I’m happy to share that I successfully completed it!
Here’s to an incredible 2025 filled with more milestones, memorable events, and the same collaborative spirit that defines The Royal Portfolio. Thank you again to everyone who made 2024 such an outstanding year.
PROPERTIES
Birkenhead House
To the Birkenhead House family, As we go into 2025, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the year we shared. It's been a year of growth, collaboration, loss and as we've gained new teammates, it has given us challenges to push us forward and successes to remind us why we do what we do. Thank you for your trust, your camaraderie and the moments of laughter along the way. I am really excited about 2025 as you are the foundation of this Hotel. LET'S GO!!!
Shane Brummer, General Manager
2025 has started with incredible momentum, and as we look back on 2024, it’s clear that it was a year of resilience, growth, and innovation for Birkenhead House. Despite some bittersweet farewells to key team members, we welcomed new colleagues who have risen to the occasion and brought fresh energy to our property.
The year was marked by exceptional experiences including new culinary offerings that delighted our guests. Our updated lunch, poolside, and wine menus were met with great enthusiasm, particularly from our repeat guests.
Our commitment to sustainability and maintenance was a cornerstone of the year’s accomplishments. Room 10 underwent a swift and beautiful upgrade in just six weeks, complemented by improvements to the dining area and front entrance. The gardens received a stunning makeover, completed in eight weeks, and we’ve never looked so vibrant.
One of the crowning achievements of the year has been Birkenhead House's inclusion in Travel + Leisure's list of the world's top 500 hotels. This recognition reflects our team's unwavering commitment to excellence.
We celebrated Christmas and New Years in true Birkenhead style and treated our guests and staff to some delightful festivities!
As we step into 2025, we're proud of what we've achieved so far. The property has never looked better, and our team has never been stronger. With three to four months of our busy season ahead of us, let's keep the momentum going and make 2025 an extraordinary year for Birkenhead House.
The Silo Hotel
Looking back on 2024, I am overwhelmed with gratitude and pride for what we’ve achieved together at The Silo Hotel. This year has been nothing short of remarkable, and it’s all because of you.
Our vision, "Enriching Lives Through Luxury Travel", continues to guide us, and every day, each of you brings this to life. From the big wins to the small, heartfelt moments, everything you do makes The Silo a truly special place.
It’s the countless small touches - the warm smiles, thoughtful gestures, and going the extra mile - that make us who we are. Each of you has played a role in building a space where guests feel valued, cared for, and inspired.
As we step into 2025, let’s carry this spirit forward. Let’s continue to surprise and delight, to inspire and uplift, and to make every guest experience unforgettable. Together, we are creating something extraordinary.
Thank you for your passion, dedication, and heart. Wishing you a joyful festive season and a bright, beautiful New Year.
With Heartfelt gratitude
Luis Pinheiro, General Manager
This year, we celebrated so much, here are a few of the highlights:
Countless Happy Guests: Your dedication, attention to detail, and personal touches have created complete experiences and perfect stays for our guests. From the smallest surprises to the biggest gestures, you consistently delight and inspire, making our hotel more than just a place to stay - it’s a memory our guests will treasure forever.
Award-Winning Excellence: We proudly celebrated the recognition of our team at the inaugural FEDHASA Awards and the success of our Inter-Hotel Challenge winners and Chefs of the Year. These achievements remind us of the talent and passion within our team.
Culinary Achievements: Our junior chefs earned silver medals in the Junior South African Chef Team, showing the creativity and skill we’re known for.
Unwavering Standards: Once again, we upheld our 5-star premium status, a reflection of the world-class experience we offer every day.
Turning 7: This year marked a milestone for The Silo Hotel, seven incredible years of enriching lives, building connections, and creating memories.
The Christmas and New years festivities throughout the hotel were nothing short of spectacular with all of the guests and staff alike enjoying the vibrant colours, decor and delicious food!
La Residence
I would like to send a big thank you to the Bidens and everyone in the TRP for making this year a HUGE success! I'm sure for most it was a challenging year but despite that we all continued to grow..... as individuals, as a group and I'm very thankful that we do operate in the space that we do.
Then, to the amazing team of La Residence, well done!!! Thank you for your hard work and dedication to achieving our milestones and enriching people's lives. You are all amazing at what you do, and I am so excited to see what we can achieve next year!
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Craig Versfeld, General Manager
As we reflect on 2024, it’s heartwarming to revisit the many special moments that defined our year. Perhaps one of the grandest achievements this year was the opening of Franschhoek House. With a ribbon-cutting ceremony facilitated by Liz and Craig, the event was nothing short of spectacular. The interior’s bold and electric design has left guests in awe, earning gasps of delight and admiration.
Christmas brought a masculine, Nordic theme to life. Guests adored the festive ambiance, which felt both intimate and joyful and live music added to the magic of the day.
For New Year’s Eve, we hosted a lavish celebration with the theme “Age of the Golden Gods.” The evening began with a mermaid at the pool and progressed to the Hotel, where guests dressed in white and gold dazzled in their god-and-goddess-inspired attire.
The event featured contemporary music, golden statues, and a stunning nine-course menu crafted by Chef Cheslin Cornelissen (Executive Chef) and his team, blending Greek mythology with culinary innovation. The night culminated with fire dancers and a breathtaking fire structure that lit up the sky. Craig’s heartfelt speech and the team’s moving performance of our “P & V” brought tears and goosebumps to everyone present.
As we close the chapter on 2024, we honor our loyal returning guests, some of whom have stayed with us for over 16 years. Their unwavering support and shared memories mean the world to us.
Here’s to an exceptional year gone by and an even brighter 2025 ahead!
Royal Malewane
As we reflect on the past, we must take a moment to acknowledge and celebrate our collective wins. We've navigated challenges, embraced opportunities, and grown stronger together. Everyone contributing uniquely to our wins. Our journey has been marked by dedication and a shared commitment to excellence.
As we look to the future, exciting possibilities await. Our family is growing, as we welcome Masiya Camp to the TRP Family. Let's continue to support one another and push boundaries.
Our goal is far from reached, and we look forward to the challenge of the upcoming year, going from strength to strength, good to great and cementing our place as the best in the world.
Thank you to the TRP Family for everyone's dedication and support. Here's to another year of success and growth!
Kielan Kallis, Executive General Manager (Royal Malewane Lodges)
As we embark on the journey of a new year, I want to take a moment to reflect and say thank you for the combined achievements and growth as a Team. Your dedication, hard work, and unwavering commitment in pursuing our vision of “Enriching Lives through Luxury Travel” coupled with the pillars of our Purpose and Values and embedded in our Culture, have most definitely been the foundation of our success. Each of you brings uniqueness to the Team through your personal strengths and talents, and for that, I say THANK YOU. We stood together, supporting and uplifting one another - a rare and exceptional trait in any workplace.
I am filled with optimism and excitement for the opportunities that lie ahead. CHEERS to new beginnings, fresh goals, and continued success.
Lastly and VERY importantly, may this year be filled with joy, prosperity, and memorable moments for each one of you and your families.
May we all have a blessed and prosperous 2025. Let’s continuously strive for excellence, innovation, and growth both individually and collectively.
Let's make 2025 a REMARKABLE AND MEMORABLE ONE!!!!
Stefan Schoeman, General Manager (Malewane Lodge)
As we bid farewell to 2024, we take a moment to reflect on a remarkable year filled with memorable events, meaningful achievements, and significant milestones.
A moment that definitely stood out in 2024 was when the Malewane team proudly received the accolade of the World’s Leading Luxury Lodge at the World's Travel Awards 2024!
The festive season was another highlight of the year. Our Christmas celebrations were nothing short of magical, with everyone diving in to make sure the lodge was impeccably decorated and Elf on the Shelf having his fair share of fun..
On Christmas Eve, we set a beautiful table and presented our guests with custom family portraits, candles, conservation-focused crackers from Down to the Wire, and an eggnog station to enjoy the following morning. The crackers were particularly special as they support conservation - the wire snares removed from animals are repurposed into jewelry, making this a meaningful gift for our guests. Christmas Day was equally memorable, filled with joy and celebration.
New Year’s Eve was an absolute hit with our guests, who participated in a murder mystery-themed evening at the Bush dinner site. The event was meticulously planned, with custom-built characters and storylines. Thanks to the help of our marketing and events team, the evening was a tremendous success. Guests were thrilled to play their parts, and four of them even managed to solve the mystery!
On the safari front, 2024 offered some phenomenal wildlife sightings that left our guests in awe. Wild dogs were a frequent sighting this year, much to everyone’s delight. One particularly thrilling moment occurred when our team at Malewane witnessed wild dogs making a fresh kill on an inyala during their morning walk. These experiences underscore the unique and exciting encounters our guests enjoy while staying with us.
As we step into 2025, we carry forward the spirit of collaboration, innovation, and excellence that defined this past year. Thank you to everyone who contributed to making 2024 so special. Here’s to another year of success and shared memories!
As we reflect on 2024, I’m filled with pride for how the team delivered on our vision and purpose, creating magical moments for our guests. Our culture developed and strengthened, with our champions driving it, and this reflected in the positive feedback we received from our guests. We also had a year of significant change in our staff compliment, and we wish those that left us all the best.
It has been exciting to see staff being recognized and rewarded with promotions and to welcome new members to the RML family, along with Primrose House and Franschhoek House.
Looking to 2025 I’m excited to continue to strengthen our culture and further develop our offering to guests as we chase our BHAG and deliver on our vision. We look forward to welcoming Masiya Camp to the growing TRP family and help get it up and running. I wish everyone in the TRP family a prosperous year ahead as the company grows and expands.
Best wishes,
Jon Morgan, General Manager (Waterside Lodge)
2024 was a year of both consolidation and transformation for us at Waterside. The first half was focused on operational excellence as we celebrated our second anniversary and prepared to move into our third year. The second half, however, brought bittersweet changes, including significant staff movements and nearly half of the leadership team transitioning. Despite these shifts, I’m proud to say that our guests continued to enjoy impeccable stays and fully immersive experiences. As we look ahead to 2025, we’ve established a dynamic new team that has already hit the ground running. With Ruth Khumalo (Housekeeping Manager) leading the charge as our culture champion, we’ve embraced and strengthened our vision for Waterside’s future.
This year was filled with unforgettable guest experiences, from gender reveals to Easter celebrations and family photo shoots. Proposals in the bush added to the magic of the year. Our efforts also extended beyond Waterside, fostering meaningful connections with the community and leaving a positive impact. A lighthearted moment came when we bid farewell to Nick Daneel, who was ceremoniously wheelbarrowed out as he left for the Bahamas.
Christmas brought a touch of humor and joy to the lodge. While most of our guests didn’t actively celebrate, the festive atmosphere, complete with decorated trees and stockings filled with presents, was still appreciated. One family in particular embraced the Christmas cheer.
For New Year’s Eve, we hosted a memorable event featuring the Marimba band and a theme of "Wild Whispers and Hidden Faces." Although we couldn’t incorporate the planned murder mystery, the evening was a resounding success, with guests reveling in the festivities.
As we close the chapter on 2024, we look forward to an exciting and prosperous 2025. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has contributed to this journey.
FOUNDATION
To The Royal Portfolio family,
Through your individual contributions and the overall success of the Royal Portfolio, 2024 has been a year of making a meaningful and lasting impact. The Royal Portfolio Foundation has been able to positively contribute to imperative conservation initiatives and uplift our surrounding communities in profound ways.
The Royal Portfolio has been a significant support to our many Foundation partners who are doing such valuable, incredible, and important work. We have touched the lives of many children through our early childhood development centres, child and youth care centres, and educational programmes. We have also contributed to skills development and have made a meaningful difference in many ways to the lives of those in our surrounding communities. Through our efforts, we have also supported vital initiatives for endangered wildlife species.
The work we do has inspired many of our guests, showing them that caring matters and inviting them to join us on this journey. We have connected people across the globe by sharing the stories of our communities, our conservation efforts, and our purpose and values. Together, we have demonstrated the positive change that is possible when we work with purpose.
I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to each one of you for your contributions to the work of the Foundation and The Royal Portfolio. It is because of your dedication that we have been able to achieve these successes.
I look forward to 2025, another year of creating an impact, inspiring change, and continuing this meaningful work. I invite you to join us as we embark on this next chapter together.
Thank you.
Ali McAdam, Foundation Founder
2024 filled with incredible milestones and meaningful connections. Through the Foundation, our guests were able to engage deeply with the people and animals of our country, fostering unforgettable experiences. For our staff, 2024 provided opportunities to engage in purposeful and impactful work. As Victor always says, “Doing good has been good for business,” and this sentiment has truly defined the year.
Thanks to all of your contributions to the foundation and the success of the TRP, we’ve been able to make an extraordinary impact in conservation and our communities. This year, we’ve touched countless lives through early childhood development programs, feeding schemes, and skills development initiatives.
We’ve also been an invaluable support system to our many partners working tirelessly in the field, amplifying their amazing work. Among the highlights were efforts to protect endangered species and support the environments in which they thrive.
A special thanks goes out to our marketing team for putting together the impactful visual representations of our journey, as well as to Lee-Anne Sonnekus (Conservation and Research Coordinator) and the CRC team for their exceptional work this year.
Looking ahead, we’re thrilled for 2025, with exciting plans to continue making a lasting difference. Thank you to everyone for inviting our guests on this journey with us and for being part of such meaningful progress.
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.
LONG SERVICE AWARDS - 5, 10, 15, 20 & 25 Years with TRP in January!
Congratulations and thank you to the following staff for their loyalty and hard work over the years:
Jackie Faria (Reservations Agent @ PH) | 5 Years on the 20th of January 2025
Rita Masongelwa (FOH Duty Manager @ BH) | 10 Years on the 05th of January 2025
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