Sol Kerzner

Sol Kerzner

Sol Kerzner is Chairman and CEO of Kerzner International, a leading developer and operator of premier destination resorts, casino and luxury hotels in Mauritius, Dubai, Maldives, Mexico and The Bahamas.

In 1960, Kerzner purchased The Palace Hotel in Durban, later acquiring The Beverly Hills Hotel, which became the first five-star hotel in South Africa. After building the 450-room Elangeni, he established Southern Sun Hotels, which became South Africa’s leading hotel and resort company with 30 operations throughout Southern Africa. In 1975, Kerzner opened his first international hotel, Le Saint Geran, in the Indian Ocean island of Mauritius.

While in South Africa, Kerzner, developed Sun City, the most ambitious resort development in Africa. This project, which was located in rural South Africa, included the development of four hotels, a man-made lake, two golf courses, an entertainment center with an indoor 6,000-seat arena, over 1 million hand-planted trees, a casino, two golf courses, and a series of water rides and attractions. Sun City attracts over 3 million visitors annually and, after the country’s game reserve, is the second most visited destination for international tourists.

In 1994, Kerzner made his first major acquisition outside South Africa through the acquisition of the Paradise Island Resort in the Bahamas. This 1,150-room resort and casino had fallen into bankruptcy. Immediately after acquiring the resort, Kerzner launched a major re-development and expansion program.

This major re-development and expansion programme has resulted in a 2,300-room resort and casino that also includes the world’s largest man-made marine habitat, the largest casino entertainment center, world-class marina and other attractions making it the one of the most successful resorts in the world. On Paradise Island, the Company also operates a 106-room luxury hotel resort, the Ocean Club. This exclusive luxury hotel resort was expanded in 2000 to include new rooms and suites, a private residential community and an 18-hole golf course.

In October 1996, Kerzner opened the Mohegan Sun gaming resort in Connecticut, occupying 240 acres on the Thames River. This was as a result of negotiating an unique agreement with the Mohegan Indian Nation. Recently, the property has been expanded through a $1.0 billion investment and is now one of the two largest gaming and entertainment resorts in the United States, including two casinos, a major retail mall, a 1,200-room hotel and a 10,000-seat indoor arena.

In recent years, Kerzner International has expanded its luxury hotel portfolio, in particular the development of its five award-winning hotels on Mauritius as well as the prestigious Royal Mirage Hotel in Dubai. In April 2001, Kerzner International secured the management contract for the luxury Maldivian island resort, Kanuhura and in July this year completed the acquisition of the Palmilla hotel in Mexico.

Married with five children and six grandchildren, Sol Kerzner divides his time between his resort properties and his homes in South Africa, England and the South of France.

Sol Kerzner was the first non-American to be inducted into the US Gaming Hall of Fame and was recently given a lifetime achievement by FEDHASA, South Africa’s major tourism agency.

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