Nineteen years on and The Boardwalk remains one of the most popular and all-encompassing entertainment, leisure and business destinations in the Eastern Cape. Boasting a state-of-the-art casino, the ample Boardwalk Amphitheatre, a variety of restaurants and retail outlets, the gorgeous Boardwalk Hotel, a world-class Camelot Spa, the award-winning Boardwalk International Convention Centre, and superior conferencing facilities, the complex offers some of the best entertainment options in Port Elizabeth.
Situated in the thriving Boardwalk precinct, the hub of Port Elizabeth, The Boardwalk is within easy walking distance of Hobie Beach. With a vibe that is both energetic and playful, The Boardwalk evokes the feel of an old fashioned lakeside boardwalk. There are alfresco restaurants, a range of shops and a host of activities in a beautiful outdoor, lakeside setting.
Activities for families and children include a supervised crèche; a range of arcade games at the Magic Company; ten pin bowling at Lighthouses; go-carting; adventure golf and the latest movies at Nu Metro cinema.
The Boardwalk plays host to an array of lifestyle, sporting and music events every year, amongst which include Iron Man; baby exhibitions; beer, food and wine exhibitions, concerts and comedy shows.
Amongst the South African entertainers, bands and artists who have performed on The Boardwalk’s stage are Theuns Jordaan, Lira, Zonke, Juanita du Plessis, The Parlotones, Prime Circle, Andre the Hypnotist, Loyiso Gola, Steve Hofmeyr, Karlien van Jaarsveld, Bobby van Jaarsveld, Conrad Koch and Chester Missing, Just Jinjer, John Vlismas, Tumi Morake, and Nik Rabinowitz. International acts that have graced the stage include the Venga Boys, Tamia and Tevin Campell.
The beautiful Boardwalk Hotel continues to set its own standards in service and facilities, becoming renowned as the leading leisure and business hotel in Nelson Mandela Bay. Seamlessly linked with the lively Boardwalk complex and within easy walking distance of the Hobie Beach, The Boardwalk Hotel offers guests an encompassing experience.
While its central location, premium conferencing facilities and accommodation, guest amenities and a full-service business centre tick all the boxes for discerning guests, it is the warm hospitality and outstanding customer service that truly differentiates The Boardwalk Hotel.
Located in the hotel, the Camelot Spa has a menu of sumptuous therapies designed to rejuvenate the mind, body and soul. Treatments offered at this tranquil spa include LPG® Endermologie – a revolutionary range of sports rehabilitation, deep tissue, relaxation, pre-operative and anti-ageing treatments which are non-aggressive and 100% natural.
Camelot Spa also offers Thalgo iBeauty, a treatment device that utilizes sound waves, sequential ultrasound and radio frequency to gently exfoliate, hydrate and firm the skin. Along with six treatment rooms, a nail bar and pedicure lounge, facilities include a Rasul, Floatation Pool and Himalayan Salt Sauna.
The Boardwalk provides the best of all worlds, from a relaxing retreat to a launchpad for adventures and business ventures in the region.
Guests can go on a breathtaking marine safari adventure into the protected waters of the Algoa Bay where dolphins, seals, sharks and seasonal Humpback and Southern Right Whales can be seen in their natural habitat. Navigating St Croix Island offers close up views of the world’s largest breeding colony of African Penguins are promised.
The Boardwalk is also a short drive from the Addo Elephant National Park, ranking third in size amongst South Africa’s 19 national parks. It is home to elephants, Cape buffaloes, endangered black rhino, a variety of antelope species, lion, and spotted hyena.
On-route to and from The Boardwalk lies the lush Garden Route, a scenic stretch of the south-eastern coast of South Africa which extends from Mossel Bay in the Western Cape to the Storms River in the Eastern Cape. The Garden Route boasts a range of remarkable topography, vegetation, wildlife and outdoor activities.
The casino itself is the only licensed casino in the Nelson Mandela Bay area. The casino features 26 tables consist of Roulette, Blackjack, Poker and 900 slot machines as well as a Prive Lounge. The slot machines include Sun International’s exclusive wide-area progressive, SunStriker and Duma paying R750 000 and R600 000 respectively.
However, it hasn’t only been about creating fun. The Boardwalk takes tremendous pride in its role as a corporate citizen of Port Elizabeth and continuously strives towards excellence to enhance the complex’s appeal so as promote tourism to Nelson Mandela Bay and thereby contribute to the local economy. From the very beginning, The Boardwalk has put in place numerous social and environmental responsibility programmes, striving wherever possible to support organisations and initiatives with causes close to its heart – and the heart of the community.
Owned by Sun International, southern Africa’s premier gaming, hospitality and entertainment groups, The Boardwalk casino offers guests the assurance of quality entertainment experiences, premium facilities, and the unparalleled high standard of service for which the company is renowned.
“At the heart of South Africa’s friendly city, in what is most certainly one of the most exquisite and ideal tourist locations in the country, the opportunities are endless.
“We are continuously looking for ways to expand and diversify our offering to further enhance the iconic appeal of our property so as to promote tourism and thereby contribute to the local economy. We have invested considerably in enhancing and extending our facilities to create a complete entertainment, leisure and hospitality hub, and position The Boardwalk as an anchor in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro,” says Nqobile Qupe, Marketing Manager at The Boardwalk.
