Many features set this company apart. The innovative concept of extended-stay suites provides guests with a spacious home-from-home environment ideal for those travelers who are spending considerable amounts of time away. The warm hearty welcome and top quality service that has formed the cornerstone of Don Suite Hotels’ reputation, guarantees that these guests will return time and time again. The company’s core values include friendliness, efficiency and enthusiasm. Even when judged by the demanding standards of the hospitality industry where competition is fierce and service paramount, Don Suite has consistently excelled. However, far from resting on its well-deserved laurels, the company continues to raise the bar and strive towards further improvement.
The biggest factor that differentiates this multi-branded hospitality group from others in the country is that Don Suite Hotels has the distinction of being the first fully BEE (black economically empowered) hotel company. In 2002 it received the PMR Award as the Empowerment Company of the Year, in 2006 it was named by Empowerdex as the second most empowered organization listed on the JSE Securities Exchange South Africa, and placed third in 2007.
The company’s hands-on approach to empowerment ensures that their affirmative action policy is linked to performance management. This means that candidates who display the most merit and potential join the ranks of the group’s enthusiastic team. Employees are encouraged to pursue a career path within the group, receiving ongoing training and opportunities for personal and professional growth wherever possible. This talent identification and retention programme keeps Don Suite Hotels globally competitive and helps to retain top quality individuals.
Don Suite Hotels has a number of social responsibility programmes in place. These include investing a portion of the profits into meaningful community-based projects in order to uplift the society in which the company operates, as well as participating in industry-wide initiatives to develop disadvantaged communities and promote national economic success. “All who work for Don take great pride in the many features that make us different from other hotels and hotel groups in South Africa,” says CEO Thabiso Tlelai who heads up the professional and dedicated team at Don Suite Hotels.