Travel/Tourism
Palace of the Lost City Ranked Amongst Best Resorts in Africa
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
After 25 years, The Palace of the Lost City at Sun City continues to be recognised for its exceptional standard of service and facilities. The luxury hotel, located at Sun International’s iconic Sun City resort in the North West province, has been ranked 39th in the Condè Naste Traveler’s Best Resorts in Africa: Readers Choice Awards 2017.
The awards are the culmination of a stringent survey process whereby candidates are rated based on respondents perceptions with a strong focus on evaluating and measuring customer service and customer satisfaction.
More than 300 000 travellers took part in Condè Naste Traveler’s 30th annual Readers’ Choice Awards survey, submitting millions of ratings and more than 100 000 comments to help create a list of winning favourites. Most notably in this year’s survey, guests declared a passion for the authentic, the personalized and the unexpected, finding all three in both newcomers and stalwarts around the world.
The Palace, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, was one of only 12 South African resorts to feature in the top 40 Best Resorts in Africa in this year’s consumer survey.
“We are obviously delighted that The Palace has been acknowledged amongst the leading resorts in Africa. That we received such excellent ratings, based on the perceptions of Condè NasteTraveler’s readership, is a great source of pride. There is certainly no greater stamp of approval than the votes of confidence from our guests. They are the lifeblood of our business.
“The award also bears testimony to our employees’ commitment to service excellence, quality, professionalism, and innovation. As ambassadors, living-out the values of Sun International, they have helped build The Palace into one of the world’s most respected hotels. This is an incredible achievement that would not have been possible without their commitment,” says Raul de Lima, General Manager at Sun City.
The Palace is part of Sun International’s SunLux Collection of 5-star establishments. Since it was built – fit for kings – in 1992, the awe inspiring hotel has captured the imagination and the hearts of its visitors who are treated to royal hospitality in what is perhaps one of the most architecturally-fascinating hotels in South Africa.
Despite its age, it remains the preferred hotel of the discerning guests visiting South Africa from the USA, Britain and Europe. Each room is luxuriously appointed and fitted with individually crafted furniture.
The Palace is set amid lush vegetation in superb landscaping that has achieved its Botanical Garden status in South Africa. Bathe in the grand pool or stroll down to the royal baths, enjoy a cocktail at the poolside or relax in the gracious Tusk Bar. Dining is a veritable gastronomic delight in the splendour of the Crystal Court, The Grill Room or Plume restaurants where food is a treasured art. The restaurants have menus that feature a variety of meals to suit every taste, including young palates.
While the unique experience of staying at The Palace certainly draws guests time and again, its setting at the vibrant Sun City Resort makes it a unique destination. Sun City has a diverse offering that combines a choice of action-packed entertainment for all ages, as well as opportunities to relax and enjoy the quietness of nature. It’s ‘A world within a City’.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has announced plans to introduce V-Pass, a biometric facial recognition system designed to make passenger processing faster, safer and more seamless across its domestic airports.
According to FAAN, the new technology will allow passengers to verify their identities through facial recognition after a one-time enrolment, reducing reliance on physical identification documents and shortening queues through automated electronic gates.
The authority said the system is expected to enhance airport security while improving the overall travel experience for domestic passengers.
FAAN added that V-Pass has been developed with data privacy at its core and is compliant with the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR).
The agency described the initiative as part of its commitment to delivering smarter, technology-driven airport services and said nationwide sensitisation and rollout updates would be announced in due course.
Airports in countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates already deploy facial recognition technology for processes such as check-in, security screening, immigration and boarding, so the move also aligns Nigeria’s aviation sector with a growing global trend towards contactless travel.
These systems have been adopted to improve operational efficiency, strengthen security and enhance the overall passenger experience.
For FAAN, the deployment of V-Pass forms part of its broader digital transformation agenda aimed at modernising airport operations and accommodating rising passenger traffic.
Experts say that beyond improving convenience, the authority expects the biometric platform to strengthen identity verification, reduce the risk of impersonation and support more efficient airport security, while maintaining compliance with data protection.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
About 14.12 per cent stake in Ikeja Hotel Plc has been acquired by Honeywell Group Limited, a notice on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited has revealed.
Honeywell Group took up the part of the hospitality firm through one of its affiliates known as HGL Real Estate Limited.
Ikeja Hotel, in the disclosure filed with the NGX on July 2, 2026, said the stake comprised 305,323,525 units of its equities.
“Ikeja Hotel hereby notifies the Nigerian Exchange Limited and the general public that it has received notification from HGL Real Estate Limited, an affiliate of Honeywell Group Limited, that it has acquired 305,323,525 units of Ikeja Hotel Plc’s shares, representing 14.12 per cent shareholding in the company,” the notice stated.
Ikeja Hotel is one of Nigeria’s leading hospitality investment and hotel management companies with premium hospitality assets.
It operates two leading hospitality organisations in Lagos, the Sheraton Lagos Hotel and Balmoral Convention Centre.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
About 10 hospitality establishments, including hotels and restaurants, were sealed on Wednesday by officials of the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA).
The affected businesses are located in different locations in the Alimosho Local Government Area of the metropolis, Business Post learned from a statement from the agency.
It was stated that they were sealed by LASEPA for persistent violations of environmental regulations despite repeated warnings, abatement notices, and several opportunities to comply with the agency’s directives.
According to the notice, the enforcement exercise was carried out in line with the directives of the Lagos State government to ensure strict compliance with environmental laws and to safeguard public health.
The affected facilities were said to have breached various environmental regulations, including noise pollution, air pollution, unlawful discharge of untreated effluent, obstruction of official duties, among others.
LASEPA closed the premises of Granduer Meridian at Obasa Akiniyi Street, Oluwaga, Ipaja for non-compliance with the agency’s directives; Lasola (Spazio Bar), located on Ipaja Road, Fatolu Bus Stop, Ipaja, was sealed for noise pollution and non-compliance with directives; Millennium Restaurant, located at Gate Bus Stop, Ipaja, Ayobo, was shut down for non-compliance with directives; O2 Exquisite Suites & Tower on Jimoh Akinremi Street, Jimoh Bus Stop, Akowonjo, was sealed for non-compliance with directives; and Chirozz Hotel & Suites, located on Samuel Street, Akowonjo, by Vulcanizer Bus Stop, Egbeda, was closed for noise pollution and non-compliance with directives.
In addition, House 7 Hotel, located at Remi Akande Street, Egbeda, was sealed for non-compliance with LASEPA’s directives; House 48 on Isiba Oluwo Street, Egbeda, was sealed for non-compliance with directives; Exclusive Hotel, located at Ishan Kimishe, Akesan Bus Stop, was shut down by non-compliance with directives; Sabola Ventures Limited, Iocated at Km 11, LASU–Isheri Road, Igando, was shut down for operating without evidence of an Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP), and discharging untreated effluent into public drains; and City Int’l Motel, located at Chief Olu-Adegbite Street, off Oladun Street, Council Bus Stop, Idimu, was sealed for non-compliance with directives.
