The authentic and classical Riviera on Vaal Hotel & Country
Club provides luxurious boutique hotel accommodation in Gauteng.
Situated on the banks of the Vaal River, the 5 star child friendly
hotel provides comfort and service beyond expectation of business,
leisure and family travellers alike.
Only 45 minutes drive from Johannesburg, the Riviera on Vaal
Hotel & Country Club provides authentic accommodation in
Gauteng through 89 elegantly furnished rooms overlooking the scenic
Vaal River.
Early in 2004, Riviera on Vaal was repositioned as one of the most
attractive boutique hotels in the country, and graded as a five
star facility. A huge revamp has seen the re-establishment of the
charm of old.
With the acquisition of the adjacent golf course and clubhouse,
the Riviera on Vaal has evolved as a prime inland resort.
An American from New York, Schlesinger, landed in Cape Town in
1894, aged 23. Initially an insurance salesman, he founded African
Consolidated Theatres, which Africa and was responsible for 43
movies made between 1916 and 1922.
Schlesinger moved into the fifth floor of the old Carlton Hotel
(1906, corner Eloff and Market Streets Johannesburg) and
consolidated his business interests. He actively promoted
Americanization and modernisation in Johannesburg – importing
American ideas and artefacts – and once he had acquired the Carlton
Hotel, proceeded to add three storeys and modernise the building.
He also built the gracious Polana Hotel in Maputo, the elegant
Edward in Durban and the luxurious Riviera on Vaal in
Vereeniging.
After seventy years of splendour the Riviera on Vaal resort is
established as an internationally renowned destination. The Riviera
hotel was first opened to the public in 1936, and in a newspaper
article published 28 August 1936, the absolute luxury of the hotel
was highlighted. “Each and every room has a splendid river view;
all rooms have hot and cold water laid on! The dining room is big
enough to serve hundreds of diners.”
Later in 1985 the hotel was redeveloped by Sun International.
The number of rooms was increased to 100 and a more modern design
was assumed – once again the Riviera became a noteworthy icon. The
Riviera turned out to be the darling of visitors from Johannesburg
and even regular overseas visitors.
Early in 2004 Riviera on Vaal was repositioned as one of the
most attractive boutique hotels in the country, and also graded as
a five star facility. A huge revamp has seen the re-establishment
of the charm of old. All 89 rooms were re-appointed fitting into
the Zorgvliet Group branding. The focus is on luxury, comfort and
special experiences. The three function rooms are equipped to
facilitate a wide range of occasions from weddings and formal
business meetings to group conference meetings. A new appeal to the
hotel offering is the introduction of an exclusive health spa. The
new Riviera on Vaal resort boasts two independent restaurants and a
cocktail lounge overlooking the river. The Petit Verdot, a five
star star floating restaurant, is very popular and a cruise is a
must-do experience. Another unique attraction is the Zorgvliet Wine
Shop where wine lovers can buy an exclusive bottle of wine not
normally so readily available. Regular wine tastings are
conducted.
With the acquisition of the adjacent golf course and club house
the Riviera on Vaal has evolved as a prime inland resort. The
Riviera on Vaal resort is a boutique hotel that also offers a wide
range of sporting facilities. The country club offers the 5 star
Riviera on Vaal hotel tenants, as well as day visitors, a holistic
resort experience. The Riviera on Vaal golf course is situated on
125 hectares flanked by the Vaal River. The 18th fairway integrates
the 9 hole par three pitch and putt course and the hotel gardens
with the country club, and in addition to the golf facilities
tennis, squash and snooker are on offer. The club house dates back
to the beginning of the previous millennium and was designed by Sir
Herbert Baker. Photographs of Bobby Locke playing a challenge match
is evidence of a rich and colourful hotel history.
The Riviera on Vaal golf course boasts one of the most beautiful
par three holes in the country – the 14th, which has two rivers in
play. Teeing off over a bend in the Klip River, and if you over
club the Vaal River will come into play. The course is a challenge
for low handicap players without being too tough for the weekend
golfer.