Orion Hotel Group acquires unique European-style hotel in the Natal Midlands

South Africa, Johannesburg – December 2007: As part of its vision and expansion strategy, South Africa’s increasingly significant and largest independently owned hotel group, Orion Hotels & Resorts, recently purchased the three-star Wartburger Hof Hotel in KwaZulu Natal and will begin operating the establishment as the Orion Hotel Wartburg in February 2007.

The hotel, a picturesque 25-minute drive from Pietermaritzburg and one hour from the North Coast, is situated in the village of Wartburg in the KwaZulu Natal Midlands, an area surrounded by green rolling hills and plantations of sugar cane, maize and timber.

The village of Wartburg was established in 1881 by German missionaries and the area has a distinctive German ambience; three-quarters of the community still speak German and the area is very popular with overseas visitors.

The unique alpine, chalet-style Orion Hotel Wartburg has a distinctive European style and ambience and is well known for its superb hospitality and fine cuisine.

Beautiful park-like gardens and window boxes filled with flowers create an exceptionally inviting atmosphere. The reception area and lounge are enhanced by antique furniture, hand woven carpets and a large fireplace.
The 'Lofty Lounge' with its huge fireplace and warmth in winter and its high ceilings and cool breezes in summer, promises a relaxing environment for tourists, holidaymakers or conference delegates. The lounge area is also suitable for functions and wedding receptions for up to 200 people.

A striking yellow wood staircase leads to the twenty luxury en-suite bedrooms, which are named after towns in Germany. All the rooms have a balcony, terrace or a small living room and are equipped with radios, satellite TVs, videos, telephones and hairdryers. There are also a number of executive cottages, which have several bedrooms, private bathrooms and a living room.

The fully equipped and air-conditioned 'Hindenburg' conference room is ideal for smaller conferences. It seats up to 35 people (U-Shape), 45 people (schoolroom style) and 70 people (cinema style). For small think-tanks, there is a boardroom with private bar facilities.

A unique tavern in the cellar offers pub meals and a wide range of imported beers from Germany, Austria and Belgium. Two outstanding restaurants provide a good choice and quality of cuisine. The a la carte dining room caters for more formal dining occasions (the international menu has a distinct German flavour), and the 'Weinstube' with its rustic atmosphere, is ideal for informal wining and dining. The hotel also maintains an excellent wine cellar.

The Orion Hotel Wartburg has a wide range of facilities and activities including a swimming pool, a steam bath, health clinic, golf (a 9 hole mashie golf course, ideal for team-building), beach volleyball, croquet, a children's playground, bird-watching and scenic walks. The nearby Albert Falls Nature Reserve offers fishing, watersports and hiking. Trips to the Valley of 1000 Hills and unusual caves and gorges can be organised, and the local village offers various sports including bowls and tennis.

“We are confident that guests with high expectations will enjoy their stay at the Orion Hotel Wartburg," says Orion Hotels & Resorts CEO Franz Gmeiner. "The Orion expansion strategy is on track. All our hotels are situated in unique and spectacular locations and we will continue to source out niche and exciting destinations to increase our presence both locally and internationally.  The growth that our brand has experienced since the inception of Orion Hotels & Resorts in 1999 is indicative of the momentum of our organization.  Our footprint continues to expand as we move into new markets to serve a wider range of guests."

The Orion Hotel Wartburg also has an on-site brewery, the Wartburger Brauhaus, which forms part of the recently established Zulu Kingdom Beer Route, a showcase for a number of breweries in the area. Visitors can see demonstrations of the art of beer-making and can taste various beers brewed in accordance with the 'German Purity Law'.

The Orion Hotel Wartburg is the Orion Group's second acquisition in KwaZulu Natal; the popular Orion Mont-aux-Sources Hotel in the Drakensberg was acquired in 2000.