Sun City, part of Sun International is a luxury casino and holiday resort complex situated in the North West region of South Africa. The resort is only 2 hours away from the central business district of nearby Johannesburg, making it a popular resort destination for visitors from the city.
Sun City is also based between the Elands River and Pilanesberg regions, which are both popular with tourists, especially as the Pilanesberg Game Reserve borders the resort on one side. Sun City is currently owned and operated by Sun International.
The Development of Sun City
Sun City, part of Sun International was originally developed by the same company which owns and operates the resort today. Sol Kerzner, one of Sun International’s magnates, developed the hotel and casino as one of Sun International’s own resorts, and Sun City was opened for business on the 7th of December, 1979.
At the time, the South African government had imposed strict bans on casino gaming throughout the country, so Kerzner opened Sun City in the independent state of Bophutatswana. By doing this, Sun City was not limited by South African gambling and show laws, allowing for smoother operations all round.
Major Acts and Performances at Sun City
Historically, Sun City, part of Sun International, has hosted many prestigious events and performances in its time. However, this was not always an easy feat to achieve, as the United Nations had imposed cultural boycotts on South Africa due to its Apartheid regime.
To remedy this, Sol Kerzner began to offer substantial monetary incentives for big international acts to play at Sun City – and many of them accepted the offer. Some of the most popular acts who have performed at the resort include Cher, Elton John, Linda Ronstadt, Queen and Frank Sinatra.
Additionally, large-scale events like the Miss World Pageant and the filming of the movie Blended with Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler have also taken place at Sun City.
Golf Courses, Theatres, Casinos and More
As well as 4 hotels, the Sun City Resort and Casino is also home to 2 separate 18-hole golf courses, the Gary Player Golf Course and the Lost City Golf Course. The Nedbank Golf Challenge is held annually at the Gary Player Golf Course and attracts some prestigious participants.
Additional amenities at the resort include cinemas, theatres, night clubs and shops. Two casinos are available for visitors at the Sun City Hotel and the Palace of the Lost City, the latter of which is a Salon Privé for high rollers. Guests at Sun City’s hotels can also enjoy an on-site gym, a spa and a variety of eateries.
Guest Amenities at the Resort
Today, Sun City offers a wide variety of amenities, entertainment spots and other attractions for its visitors. Guests can choose one of 4 hotels to stay at when visiting Sun City, part of Sun International, including The Cabanas, the Palace of the Lost City, the Cascades Hotel and the Sun City Hotel.
The resort has a unique African design featuring a number of water features, natural lakes and fountains, as well as the Valley of the Waves water park. The resort complex also contains the Sun City Vacation Club time-share facilities.