New R2 billion luxury resort in South Africa

Club Med is set to make history with the opening of its first-ever resort in South Africa. Construction will finish in July 2026.

Club Med is a French travel and tourism operator headquartered in Paris. Founded in 1950, it specialises in all-inclusive holidays. 

The resort being constructed in South Africa is located in Ballito, KwaZulu-Natal, and is a partnership between Club Med and the Collins Residential Consortium.

South African debt funders and equity partners, under the enterprise of Tinley Leisure, have funded the project.

Tinley Leisure has funding and equity partners from Africanbank, the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), Tinley Leisure Women’s Investment Group, Collins Residential, and Absa, which are also funding partners.

Chris du Toit, Tinley Leisure’s development director, told Daily Investor that the investment consortium comprises South African partners who have invested more than R2 billion in the development of Club Med South Africa.

Du Toit said Kwazulu-Natal was chosen because of the province’s reputation for its diverse natural beauty, pristine beaches, majestic mountain ranges, and wildlife reserves.

More specifically, he said the province’s North Coast is acclaimed for its warm coastal climate with over 300 days of sunshine annually, making it an ideal vacation destination. 

“The location of the resort is also conveniently accessible to international and domestic guests through King Shaka International Airport, which is located approximately 20 minutes from the site,” he said. 

“This was a prerequisite of Club Med’s – that the resort is less than 40 mins from an international airport.”

In addition, he said the resort location enjoys direct access to the beach, with breathtaking panoramic views of untouched bays and coastal dunes up and down the coastline.

For years, Ballito has been an attractive holiday destination in South Africa, both for locals and visitors. Therefore, the town already has several resorts, guesthouses, boutique hotels, and self-catering accommodations.

However, Du Toit believes Club Med’s first South African resort will be able to set itself apart from the rest. It will bring Club Med’s signature all-inclusive offering to the country. 

“It will offer premium accommodation where everything is taken care of – from gourmet meals and never-ending entertainment to a wide range of land and water activities, as well as dedicated kids clubs, all included in the nightly price,” he said. 

“Additionally, it will feature the first-ever Club Med surf school, making it a must-visit destination for both adventure seekers and those looking to immerse themselves in nature’s beauty.”

“With its dual-location offering, this new Club Med will also introduce a unique bush experience through its exclusive safari lodge located in the north of Zululand.”

Du Toit explained that the resort will be marketed globally through Club Med, with the aim of attracting largely the French, Belgium and German markets initially. 

However, he added that local businesses and the South African public are also expected to form part of the intended target audience.

“The project exemplifies a perfect partnership between global best practices and local expertise, with the construction being guided by the Green Building Council of South Africa’s (GBCSA) principles,” he said. 

“The development being managed by Collins Residential is on track to achieve a 4-star GBCSA rating, underscoring Club Med’s commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship.”

“In addition to the jobs being offered during the construction period – 1,200 at its peak – employment, once complete, will include 800 direct jobs and 1,500 indirect jobs.”

Construction is currently focused on three key areas of the resort.

• Hotel Section: Construction has reached the first floor of the main hotel, which will boast 345 rooms. It will feature a main pool, restaurant, bar, and welcome, family, and sports areas.
• Exclusive Collection Villas: Platforms are laid, and piling has begun for the 66 luxury villas, each offering estuary views.
• Convention Centre and Parking: Groundwork has commenced on the conference venue, which will accommodate 500 delegates.

Below is an overview of where construction currently stands and rendered images of what the resort is expected to look like.