Areena Riverside Resort scooped four international awards in Dubai this month.
Areena owner Ed Rathbone said the resort won best resort in the hideaway, eco-friendly, family, and serviced apartments categories at the Haute Grandeur International Tourism awards.
“To be bracketed with illustrious names such as Sun City, Fancourt and Club Mykonos, which also won in their sections, is an honour in itself,” Rathbone said.
The resort had come a long way in 30 years, when he and his wife Karen decided to convert the 330ha mixed-use farm on the banks of the Kwelera River into a caravan park, he added.
Areena, 30 minutes from East London, started with 30 riverside sites and today has 150, as well as 100 apartments, ranging from luxury suites to more affordable accommodation.
Several game species roam the farm.
There are a host of adventure-linked activities and Areena Riverside Resort has direct access to the ocean...