Property

New fine dining restaurant opens in South Africa’s most iconic hotel

Kirsten Minnaar • 1 September 2026

The Palace of the Lost City at Sun City has opened the Plume Jazz Lounge, a venue that combines live jazz, fine dining, and drinks.

Founded 47 years ago by South African businessman Sol Kerzner, Sun City is one of the country’s top tourist destinations.

Born in Johannesburg in 1935 to Russian immigrants, Kerzner grew up around hotels through his family’s kosher hotel business.

He initially wanted to become a mechanic, but went on to study accounting at the University of Witwatersrand and qualify as a chartered accountant.

He entered the hotel business in 1962 when he bought a Durban beachfront hotel, laying the foundation for the Southern Sun group.

Kerzner went on to develop some of South Africa’s best-known hotels, including the Beverly Hills Hotel in uMhlanga, which became the country’s first five-star hotel when it opened in 1964.

His most ambitious South African project came in 1979 with the opening of Sun City, located near Pilanesberg National Park.

The resort took a decade to develop and included four hotels, a man-made lake, two championship golf courses, and a large entertainment centre.

Its opening was a major event, with Frank Sinatra headlining the launch, and Sun City quickly became a destination for wealthy South Africans and international celebrities.

The Palace of the Lost City opened in 1992 as the flagship hotel within the Sun City resort. Its elaborate architecture and luxury positioning helped establish it as one of South Africa’s most recognisable hotels.

Kerzner later expanded internationally, most notably transforming the Paradise Island Resort in the Bahamas into the Atlantis Resort.

He stepped down as CEO of Kerzner International in 2008 and passed away in 2020, but his influence remains evident across the hospitality industry.

Today, Sun City remains one of South Africa’s best-known luxury resorts, with The Palace continuing to serve as its flagship hotel.

The Palace continues to grow

Sun City Resort General Manager Brett Hoppe

The Plume Jazz Lounge opened on 29 August 2026 and is aimed at hotel guests and visitors looking for an evening dining and entertainment option.

“The launch of Plume Jazz Lounge is a strategic investment in the continued evolution of The Palace experience and our broader luxury hospitality offering,” said Sun City Resort General Manager Brett Hoppe.

“Luxury travellers today are seeking more than exceptional accommodation. They are looking for immersive experiences that create lasting memories and meaningful connections.”

Hoppe explained that the Plume Jazz Lounge enables the group to expand its premium food, beverage, and entertainment portfolio while strengthening The Palace’s position as a leading luxury destination in Africa.

“It is an exciting addition that enhances guest choice, creates new reasons to visit The Palace, and reinforces our commitment to delivering world-class hospitality experiences,” Hoppe said.

The lounge offers nightly live jazz performances from resident musicians. Its menu centres on a fine-dining tapestry of meals designed for sharing and features local and international ingredients.

The drinks offering includes caviar, champagne, South African and international wines, premium spirits, and signature cocktails.

The venue was designed by David Muirhead and Associates, with interiors featuring emerald and gold tones and handcrafted ceramics by Claylat.

Plume Jazz Lounge joins The Palace’s existing food and beverage venues, including Crystal Court, Tusk Bar, the Pool Deck, Grill Room, and the Lost City Croc Lounge. The lounge was developed over six months from concept to opening.