Media Release: 22 January 2010. Oakhurst Hotel

New Management for George’s Oakhurst Hotel

Well-known Mossel Bay hotelier JJ Moorcroft (the creator of the award-winning Protea Hotel Mossel Bay has taken over management of George’s Oakhurst Hotel. He will be assisted by Erica Valentyn, who served for more than 12 years with the Garden Route’s private sector marketing organisation, Gartour.

The 25-room, 3-star Oakhurst Hotel, which has been built in the thatched tradition of a fine Cape manor house, is situated in a quiet side street at the centre of George, the Southern Cape’s capital city.

“We market the hotel under the slogan ‘Urban Tranquility in the Heart of George,’ because there really is no better way of describing it,” said Mr. Moorcroft.

The hotel has positioned itself - both physically and in its marketing campaigns - to attract tour groups, holidaymakers and businesspeople.

“There are no less than ten restaurants within walking distance of our front door, we’re child-friendly, we’ve tied up an agreement with a spa right next door to us, and, of course, George is right in the heart of all the attractions that make the Garden Route great - the golf, the mountains, and the sea - so Oakhurst falls naturally into the touring and holiday markets,” said Mr. Moorcroft.

“But the Conference Market is also an interesting one for us. We’re linked with The Office, a conference facility about two blocks away - so our guests are conveniently close to their meeting rooms, and their guests can either stay with us or eat their meals with us.”

The hotel offers three types of en suite bedroom. One ground floor room has been designed for the disabled; 12 Standard Rooms have twin or double beds; and 13 Deluxe Rooms are situated on the upper floor of the two-storey structure, and have lounges or bunk beds in their loft areas - which tuck in under the thatch of the roof.

Many of the rooms face the Outeniqua Mountains - which tower over George - and all are air-conditioned and supplied with stylish modern amenities. And whilst George is correctly classified as a city, the fynbos-covered mountains give the town a feeling of being in the country - a feeling that has informed the atmosphere and furnishings of both the bedrooms and the public areas at Oakhurst.

“Oakhurst has an outdoor swimming pool and patio, a lounge with a large farmhouse fireplace, a ladies bar, secure open parking, and wireless internet, and our restaurant is open for breakfasts, lunch and snacks throughout the day - so it’s become a popular meeting place for local businesspeople, too,” said Mr. Moorcroft

Ms. Valentyn, who came to George from Johannesburg in 1997, and particularly enjoys coordinating weddings and conferences, said that she relishes the idea of putting new properties on the map.

“I am so excited by Oakhurst because the hotel is of a very high standard, and I know that every guest will be more than satisfied,” she said.

Visit the Oakhurst Hotel on line at www.oakhursthotel.co.za - and watch an interview with JJ Moorcroft at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0ClccFn1Rw

ENDS 510 WORDS

Contact Details: Oakhurst Hotel
www.oakhursthotel.co.za

Reservations: [email protected]
Marketing: [email protected]
General Manager: [email protected]
Telephone: +27(0)44) 874 7130
Fax +27(0)44) 874 7131
Physical Address: Corner Meade & Cathedral Streets, George.
Postal Address: P.O. Box 9416, George 6530, South Africa.