At a chic event on 15th December, 2006, with 150 of Kwa-Zulu Natal’s most influential and respected personalities present Vaughn Reiche, Sales Director, IFA Estates, and his co-directors celebrated the launch of The Fairmont Zimbali, the new R1,8 prestigious residential portfolio set to open at Zimbali Coastal Resort in 2009.

The Fairmont Zimbali will consist of a luxurious five star hotel, a Gary Player signature golf course and country club, an international Willow Stream spa and a superb bouquet of residential and investment real estate opportunities, including an exclusive Fairmont Heritage Place Private Residence Club.

Phil de Sylva, IFA Vice President, Operations emphasised the event’s importance by explaining that, “Zimbali is the premium resort in South Africa, having recently won four prestigious awards at the 2006 International Property Awards held in London. This launch phase is critical to us as it delivers on our promise to further enhance the stature of Zimbali.”

Developed by IFA Hotels & Resorts, The Fairmont Zimbali residences are to be managed and operated by Fairmont Hotels & Resorts. Investors will be able to select from a variety of ownership opportunities ranging from direct investment in a typical hotel condominium suite to the purchasing of an apartment or freestanding villa. What’s more, their investment will be maintained to the highest standard when the owners are not in residence, and while they are in residence, they will have full access to The Fairmont Zimbali’s state-of-the-art facilities.

The various residential aspects of The Fairmont Zimbali will be released in phases over the next 12 months, with prices ranging from US$ 700,000 to US$ 2 million for a spectacular sea view apartment or villa. The pinnacle of the development will undoubtedly be the six signature beachfront villas, priced from US$ 4 million each.

Independently-owned hotel suites will be rented out by the hotel, providing owners with a return on investment and usage of the property for a specified time each year. Purchase of an apartment or villa allows the investor his own use of the property, but with the added advantage of having it serviced and maintained to Fairmont’s exemplary international standards. Apartments and villas can also be included in the hotel rental programme, a concept which has already proved successful in Zimbali.

The Fairmont Zimbali Residences consist of 57 exquisite apartments situated on stunning elevated sites adjacent to the main hotel. These designer apartments will offer exclusivity, luxury, privacy and the ultimate in a ‘lock-up-and-go’ residence.

The Zimbali Golf Chalets, also to be managed by Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, form part of the new Fairmont Zimbali development too, and will all be positioned with views over the fifth green of the existing Tom Weiskopf signature golf course. These exceptional units will offer investors full or fractional ownership opportunities and provide owners access to all The Fairmont Zimbali’s hotel facilities.

An exciting resort real estate ownership programme within The Fairmont Zimbali is Fairmont Heritage Place – an elite Private Residence Club offering all the benefits of owning your own vacation home and much more. Members will enjoy access to other premium residences around the world, personalised concierge services and the gracious hospitality that only Fairmont delivers.

Vaughn Reiche added, “This exciting launch enables us to introduce a diverse portfolio of up-market residential and leisure investment opportunities to the local and international market. The introduction of the Fairmont brand into Zimbali aligns us with an iconic, world-class operator, elevating Zimbali’s international profile in the luxury mixed-use resort market.”

For further information on Fairmont Zimbali, contact sales@fairmontzimbali.com or visit www.fairmontzimbali.com