Family-run resort in the Central Drakensberg’s Champagne Valley area of KwaZulu Natal, The Nest, will be auctioned as a going concern at The Wanderers Club in Johannesburg tomorrow (November 22) at noon.
In South Africa, the sale of a business as a going concern is a common transaction that involves the transfer of an existing business, including all its assets and liabilities, from one owner to another.
Originally opened as a guest house in 1933, what is today The Nest was built ten years later with the help of Italian prisoners of war.
“The unpretentious ‘olde-worlde charm’ of the hotel persists today, as various owners over the years have improved and upgraded without disturbing the true heritage of the Drakensberg,” said Norman Raad, CEO of Broll Auctions and Sales, who will auction the property.
The Nest has built up a loyal following of guests who return on an annual basis for its country-style food, spectacular natural beauty with views of the Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Mountains, and activities for the whole family.
The sale of the 45ha property includes 56 bedrooms in differing formats, including garden rondavels (round huts with pointed roofs) and double-storey garden units. There is also a swimming pool, tennis court and bowls on championship greens.
The hotel, which can house a maximum of 137 guests, is a popular wedding and conferencing destination and is a year-round destination with adventure activities aplenty, from quad biking to archery, hiking to trail running, mountain biking to canopy tours, hot air ballooning and more.
The Battle of Spionkop between the Boers and the British took place nearby, and the well-preserved site can be visited.
“For those who are less active, The Nest also has a spa offering massages and beauty treatments. The Nest Hotel is a special place in the Valley, steeped in history, and a hub for adventure and nature lovers,” said Raad.
