GrandWest Casino reveals renovated Salon Privé and Union Castle dining room
The renovation was interrupted by Covid, but became a priority when the Grand Hotel expanded to over double its size.
South Africa.- After several months of anticipation, GrandWest Casino has finally unveiled the first phase of its extensive renovation project. The upgrade, which cost R30m (€1.5m), focused on refurbishing the Salon Privé, Union Castle dining room and lounge area.
The team behind the redesign, David Muirhead & Associates, updated the space with a modern aesthetic, replacing the wood panelling that defined the area since the early 2000s. They also removed the dividing walls to create an open layout, allowing guests to effortlessly move between dining, lounging and gaming, with a marble bar at the centre.
The Union Castle dining room’s new look captures the city’s maritime essence, showcasing a blend of navy paneling, gold-detailed columns and a majestic triple-volume glass ceiling. The Salon Privé contains 144 slot machines, 17 game tables, a high-stakes Captain’s Cabin that can accommodate up to 30 players and a separate VIP lounge for ten. This area is decorated with red and gold finishes and a dragon-themed chandelier by a local artist.
The overall renovation is part of a larger R600m (€30m) development, which includes infrastructure upgrades and a 22,000-square-metre retail centre set to open in March 2027, connecting directly to the casino. With the phased launch, the casino aims to enhance guest experience while keeping the facility fully operational during construction.
Mervyn Naidoo, GrandWest General Manager, said: “The renovation of our Union Castle dining room and Salon Privé has been a long time in the planning. It was interrupted by Covid, but became a priority when the Grand Hotel expanded to over double its size. But we wanted more than just additional space; we wanted an experience for our guests, and our interior design specialists have achieved just that.”
