The newly launched flagship Courtyard Hotel Waterfall City boasts a timeless, proudly South African design
WORDS: STAFF REPORTER – PHOTOS: SARAH DE PINA PHOTOGRAPHY
Inspiration for the Courtyard Hotel Waterfall City – from its sustainability features to its cutting-edge design – has been sourced from and inspired by best practice in hospitality around the world. “With luxury finishes and an open, airy feel that should give guests great safety reassurance amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, the hotel promises excellent longevity as the tourism industry recovers,” says Lindiwe Sangweni-Siddo, CEO, City Lodge Hotel Group. The four-star 168-room hotel is located opposite the Mall of Africa in Midrand, and in creating the property the City Lodge Hotel Group conducted extensive research locally and overseas.
Interior designer Louise Nogueira Dracopoulos, owner, Oniro Studios, was tasked with bringing the City Lodge Hotel Group’s vision to life – a hotel that represents its South African context and has long lasting appeal. “Design is all about evoking emotion in us, so each space throughout the building was designed with careful consideration to ensure that it captured the essence of South African contextual elements merged together with a subtle art deco feel,” says Louise. “The goal for the interior was not only to create a space which celebrates a richness of layers, details and textures but it had to be functional and it had to transition from a light-filled cosmopolitan character, ideal for day-time meetings, into a night time venue where lighting settings would shift the spaces into a moodier atmosphere.”
Local is lekker
Work from local artists is showcased throughout the public areas of the hotel, and the reception space is warm and inviting with a custom chandelier. An artist was commissioned to create three beautiful artworks behind the reception, which depict the building’s coordinates, name and the physical address as abstracts, again highlighting the importance of contextual design,” says Louise.
Dining flair
The hotel has two restaurants: The Protea on the ground floor for all-day sophisticated dining, and The Highline up on the ninth floor, with an exquisite view over the surrounds that makes it the perfect spot for sundowners. Inspired by our national flower, the ground floor eatery boasts a chipped plaster wall feature the king protea by artist Carl Maritz from Space Alchemy, and a cascade of handprinted proteas from the ceiling down the wall. “Teals and low sheen brass play off textures such as terrazzo and concrete tiles to create drama in every corner,” says Louise. The Club Lounge, also on the ground floor, offers a cosier space for relaxing, small events or private dining.
Peaceful sleep
The hotel rooms have been designed in soothing shades of green, with contemporary furniture pieces and a bespoke circular rug. “The rug has an image of succulents printed on it and becomes the art piece in the room,” says Louise. Clever ambient lighting in the bedroom evokes a feeling of calm in contrast with the surrounding cityscape, and the bathroom boasts interesting design elements such as fluted glass, and an art deco inspired custom vanity.
