A holiday to remember

It’s almost like a love affair that never ends, because every time you visit Sun City, you fall head over heels in love.

After a visit, when you get home, the temptation to turn around and check in all over again is huge.

That’s how it’s been for my family and I, anyway. Forget the attractions, accommodation and the myriad things to do for a moment. Because a resort can have as many bells and whistles imaginable, but when it is staffed by sour faces, the experience is dim.

After several trips to Sun City, there’s never been a hint of a miserable member of staff. Everyone is welcoming, everyone’s friendly and helpful. It says a lot, because spending hard-earned money on a good time demands a bit of give from the host. And here, service is clearly ingrained in every aspect of the property’s culture.

I asked one of the bus drivers why everyone is so friendly. His response was simple. “If our visitors are not happy, they won’t come back. Our job is to enhance your experience, and we understand that. We want people to choose Sun City for their holidays.”

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A warm welcome at every stop

From the super luxury Lefika Villas, through to The Reserve and The Aviary in between, every guest is welcomed with a smile.

I watched a receptionist disarm a moody traveller with kindness ahead of my family at check-in. When it was our turn, she switched to another instalment of joyful demeanour.

This was at the Reserve a couple of months ago and reporting for chillaxing at Lefika Villas was no different. The golf cart driver who took us and our luggage to the freestanding, three-bedroomed villas, was no different.

Inside, Lefika Villas are just what Doctor Escape-From-It-All ordered. It’s super private, and you forget that you have neighbours.

There’s a spacious lounge and fireplace along with a kitchenette and dining area on the ground floor and three en-suite bedrooms upstairs. The patio’s got a great braai area and a beer fridge. Inside, there’s another double-door fridge for all your self-catering perishables.

That is, if you remember them, which we didn’t. Thankfully, there is a mini grocer on site. The Pantry had most of the stuff we had left at home in the rush to get to Sun City.

Lefika Villas are seriously great. If you want to go anywhere, just call and a golf cart arrives at your villa door a few moments later. A private shuttle, also exclusive to residents, takes you wherever you want to go on the property and collects everyone on demand.

It’s the little touches that makes a good break, great. And here, there’s just an overload of it.

Comfort, convenience, and value

The Reserve, where we stayed late last year, has since undergone a facelift. A few months ago, it was already super cool and spacious. Now, after the renovations that included the two-bedroomed units at The Aviary section of the Sun Vacation Club, everything feels sparkly and new. It’s just awesome.

Both these sections of the property have frequent bus services that drop guests off at stops across the property. Of course, the Sun Vacation Club is timeshare.

The first self-catering offering at Sun City resort, The Reserve, a combo of two- and three-bedroom units has been around for three decades and you can buy five- or 10-year packages at seriously affordable prices.

Same, too, with the two-bedroomed Aviary units, while Lefika Villas’ luxury three-bedroomed villas require a 10-year commitment. Everyone staying at the Sun Vacation Club gets access to the Valley of the Waves for the duration of their stay.

Again, being the Kaisers on holiday, we forgot to pack our access armbands. Thankfully there was no problem gaining access, because the staff just checked our resident’s permits and voila! We were in. No quibble, no sending us back to our villa. Just accommodating, kind service.

Something for everyone, every day in Sun City

From the Chimp & Zee zip line and obstacle adventure course at the Valley of Waves that my kids did three times over two days, there’s a lot to do.

From the obvious golf, through to heated pools throughout the Sun Vacation Club, the Magic Company’s arcade, ten pin bowling, game drives, laser tag, segway tours, water sport and a trampoline park with putt putt.

Or you can get lost in the maze, have a beer at the end of it or simply chill and read a book at your villa.

Food, if you are anything like the Kaisers, is an important part of every day. The breakfast at the Cabanas is legendary and pleases every time.

The Spur and Ocean Basket is close enough to walk and have a few takeouts deliver to your villa. Roco Mamas had our order for collection ready in five minutes on a night we stayed in.

Casa Bella, a restaurant in the Welcome Centre, offers fantastic pizza and pastas, great cocktails and, again, awesome service for a lovely dinner out.

For lunch, Leloko restaurant at the Lefika Villas mixes a great cocktail and the light meals are affordable and delicious.

Sun City used to have an ad in the ’80s using Queen’s We Will Rock You as a soundtrack. Quite honestly, the place still rocks.

It delivers more than a weekend getaway, because you’re spoilt for choice with things to do. Or not. Because even though it was super busy, people milling about never made it feel uncomfortably crowded. There’s enough space for everyone to just have a damn good time.

Next time round though, I think the Kaisers will remember to pack their bags and catering properly.

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