Luxury hotelier and international accommodation industry magnate, Sol Kerzner, has passed away from cancer at the age of 84 at his home in Cape Town, South Africa.
The Founder of South Africa’s famous Sun City resort, the business and property tycoon was also the visionary behind the One&Only collection of luxury resorts operating around the world, including Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley in western NSW. In years past, the brand’s network also included Hayman Island prior to its post-cyclone redevelopment by InterContinental Hotels Group.
“Sol was a visionary pioneer, inventing the concept of entertainment destination resorts, first with Sun City in South Africa and then with the iconic Atlantis resorts around the world,” the company wrote in a tribute posted on its website.
“In addition, he originated bespoke luxury resorts, with the introduction of One&Only, a philosophy of unique, authentic, ultra-luxury experiences with genuine service from the heart.
One&Only also operates luxury resorts in the Bahamas, Maldives, Mauritius and Dubai, with Kerzner’s other hotel accomplishments including the palatial Atlantis resorts in the Bahamas and Dubai.
“He not only built resorts, he built destinations, always finding the best location for his vision and celebrating each country in which we operate.”