1) East London International Convention Centre
This is East London’s largest ever hotel development and its location makes it both a high-end leisure and business convention destination. The property has been decorated in a contemporary style inspired by the Eastern Cape’s unique culture.
Location: The hotel is adjacent to the new East London International Convention Centre. It can be found on the Orient Beach esplanade which is 50m from the beach and three minutes from the city.
Facilities: There are three conference rooms, seating from 140 to 600 people. They can be combined to offer one large hall seating 880 people cinema style. Three breakaway rooms accommodating between 20 and 25 delegates are also available. The auditorium seats up to 600 people in cinema style, while the exhibition centre can seat up to 2 150 and takes up to 110 stands.
Perfect for: Conferencing, conventions and trade shows.
Contact details:
+27 (0) 43 709-5000, premierhotels.co.za
2) Feather Market Convention Centre
Forming one of the cornerstones of the city centre buildings on Market Square, and soon to be part of the future harbour development, Feather Market Convention Centre provides Port Elizabeth with a beautiful, multi-purpose centre.
Location: The convention centre is on Baakens Street in Central Port Elizabeth. It is close to the City Hall.
Facilities: There are six conference venues available on the property offering various configurations. The venues can accommodate from 40 to 1187 delegates. The rooms range from small meeting rooms to an auditorium with balcony. There is also a hall and dance floor available.
Perfect for: Conferences, expos, product launches, concerts and weddings.
Contact details:
+27 (0) 41 585-5514, feathermarket.co.za
3) Garden Court East London
This hotel is designed to meet the needs of both business and leisure travellers. It has a superb location overlooking the ocean, but also has extensive conferencing facilities to make a corporate event or meeting successful.
Location: Located on the corner of John Baillie and Moore Streets in Quigney, East London, the hotel is only 4km from the ABSA Rugby Stadium and 20km from East London Airport.
Facilities: There are three conference venues on the property, some of which can be combined for bigger functions. The venues can accommodate from 24 to 150 delegates. They are equipped with screens, flipcharts and pens, TV/VCR-DVD players and conference notepads and pencils. Any further equipment or services can be hired. Other business services available at the hotel include an Internet café, facsimile service, photocopy service, PC/printer service and high-speed Internet access.
Perfect for: Conferences and meetings
Contact details:
+27 (0) 43 722-7260, southernsun.com
4) The Manderson Hotel and Conference Centre
The Manderson started as one farm house with two co-joining rondavels, but over the years has been built up to be a hotel of 34 rooms and three conference venues. It offers impeccable rooms, friendly and professional staff, exquisite gardens, delectable food and affordable rates.
Location: The hotel is situated at the base of the forested Amatola Mountains, 7km outside of the small town of Stutterheim. It is about 80km from East London and 100km from Queenstown.
Facilities: The three conference venues cater for groups of five to 90 delegates. All are equipped with a digital data projector, flipchart (with pens and notepads), overhead projector, additional electrical outlet, telephone and wireless Internet connectivity.
Perfect for: Training, product launches, conferences and meetings.
Contact details:
+27 (0) 43 683-2322, manderson.co.za
5) Cape St Francis Resort and Lifestyle Estate
Conferencing at the Cape St Francis Estate was started up about 18 year ago. It offers a selection of accommodation options to suit all pockets. It is also ideal for family holidays or beach breaks and features comfortable lounges and private swimming pools.
Location: The resort is in Da Gama Way, Cape St Francis, about 112km from Port Elizabeth, an hour and 30 minutes’ drive from the Port Elizabeth airport.
Facilities: The conference centre is well-equipped with a range of presentation equipment and can accommodate up to 120 delegates. Teambuilding and a diverse range of adventure activities are also available.
Perfect for: Conferences, launches, meetings, exhibitions, weddings, social occasions and concerts.
What’s new? A new conference centre will be opened towards the end of this month – the Legends Hall, complete with two venues accommodating 220 and 160 delegates classroom style. Both venues will have state-of-the-art audio visual equipment with air-conditioning. A total of 24 en-suite rooms are also being added.
Contact details:
+27 (0) 42 298-0054, capestfrancis.co.za
6) Umtali Country Inn
Already running for 60 years, the Umtali Country Inn is a highly rated three-star commercial hotel. It has a country-style setting with all rooms located on the outside in a garden area. There is also a restaurant on-site and conference venues.
Location: The inn is located in the northern parts of the Eastern Cape in Aliwal North. It has the Orange and Kraai rivers flowing past it.
Facilities: There are two air-conditioned conference venues available. One of the venues seats up to 40 delegates and the other up to 80. Equipment such as flip charts, data projectors and stationery can be provided. Catering is also available.
Perfect for: Meetings, conferences and weddings.
Contact details:
+27 (0) 51 633-2400
7) Bushman Sands Hotel
Bushman Sands features two game reserves, an 18-hole Gary Player Signature golf course, historical four-star hotel, luxurious spa, and country golf estate. It was bought by the River Hotels Group in 2008.
Location: Bushman Sands is in the Main Road of the historic railway town of Alicedale. It is approximately 110km from Port Elizabeth.
Facilities: There are four conference/breakaway venues available, one of which is the Library. The venues accommodate up to 90 delegates cinema style. Some of the venues are located 200m from the Main Hotel Building in the original Station building.
Perfect for: Conferencing, corporate getaways, teambuilding, intimate weddings and gala events.
Contact details:
+27 (0) 42 231-8000, riverhotels.co.za
8) Protea Hotel Marine
Offering a wide range of accommodation options, the four-star Protea Hotel Marine offers the facilities and services for a smooth-running conference. Opened in 2003, the conference centre provides a dynamic setting for a powerful message.
Location: The hotel is on Marine Drive in Summerstrand. It is only five minutes from the airport and is within walking distance of the beaches, historic attractions, the Oceanarium and the Boardwalk Casino and Entertainment Complex. It is only 7km from the city centre.
Facilities: The conference centre boasts five, state-of-the-art conference venues that accommodate from 10 to 90 delegates in three dedicated boardrooms, and two larger conference rooms.
Perfect for: Banquets, conferences and weddings.
What’s new? The Skyroof conference venue is undergoing construction and will be turned into 16 standard bedrooms that will be completed by the end of May. The other five venues situated on the mezzanine floor will get a fresh look later this year as the hotel undergoes refurbishments.
Contact details:
+27 (0) 21 430-5300, proteahotels.com
9) Wavecrest Resort
The Wavecrest Resort began as a hostel catering almost exclusively for fishermen, almost 90 years ago. The emphasis at this property is on learning and the appreciation of the many diverse environments.
Location: Located in the Transkei on the Wild Coast, the resort is about 135km from East London and about 65km from Butterworth.
Facilities: The well-equipped conference centre can accommodate up to 44 delegates. A screen and white boards are available for presentations. Conferences can also be combined with various activities like rubber duck rides to sea, 4×4 trails, canoe safaris or survival courses.
Perfect for: Conferences, teambuilding and weddings.
What’s new? The front rooms of the hotel are being re-built, with the first phase already completed. The next phase will start at the beginning of August this year.
Contact details:
+27 (0) 47 498-0022, wavecrest.co.za
10) The Port Hotel
Situated at Port St Francis, the hotel offers luxurious accommodation in suites, as well as extensive conferencing facilities.
Location: The Port Hotel is located on Triton Avenue in Port St Francis, St Francis Bay. It is about 100km from Port Elizabeth and only 6km from Cape St Francis.
Facilities: The state-of-the-art conference venue offers a refreshing environment to revitalise delegates. The facilities on site include a whiteboard, flipchart, VCR and monitor, cordless microphone, PA system, overhead projector, screen, data projector and DVD player. The venue can seat from 40 to 100 delegates depending on the configuration, while breakaway rooms are also available.
Perfect for: Private or business conferencing, product launches, trade shows, motivational seminars, weddings and themed dinners.
Contact details:
+27 (0) 42 294 1889