At a Glance
Capital Hotel Group will open The Capital Boardwalk, a 145-unit apartment hotel in Gqeberha’s Boardwalk precinct, in April 2026. The R270 million ($16.8 million) development marks the group’s first property in the Eastern Cape and expands its extended-stay model into the coastal city.
Located near key business, industrial and retail hubs, the property is designed to serve business travelers while remaining accessible to leisure guests visiting the coastal city. The group said the project is expected to support tourism activity and create jobs during construction and once operations begin.
Previously, Shore.Africa reported that Capital Hotel Group is expanding across South Africa as tourism and business travel recover. Current projects include Capital Trilogy in Pretoria and Capital Pearls Shore in Durban, alongside the upcoming Gqeberha opening.
145 extended-stay units with amenities
The Capital Boardwalk will offer 145 units, ranging from standard rooms and studios to one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, as well as penthouses.
All units will include fully equipped kitchens, laundry facilities and flexible housekeeping options, features aimed at guests staying for weeks or months rather than nights.
Shared amenities will include co-working areas, meeting and conference facilities, a restaurant and bar, a gym and a pool deck. The hotel will also offer family-friendly spaces, high-speed Wi-Fi, 24-hour reception and secure parking with direct access to the adjacent mall.
An executive room designed for paraplegic guests is included as part of the property’s accessibility plans.
New Hotel drives jobs, business travel
Developers expect the project to create more than 500 jobs during construction, with between 170 and 200 permanent positions once the hotel opens.
Beyond direct employment, the hotel is likely to draw visitors who spend at nearby shops, restaurants and service providers, supporting the wider local economy.
Its location near the Boardwalk Mall and major commercial areas positions the hotel to attract corporate travelers, while extended-stay options and family-oriented facilities are expected to appeal to tourists visiting Gqeberha’s beaches, reserves and cultural sites.
Extended-stay strategy expands into Gqeberha
The move into Gqeberha forms part of Capital Hotel Group’s broader strategy to grow in major business and leisure markets across South Africa.
By focusing on apartment-style accommodation and services tailored to longer stays, the group is targeting shifting travel patterns among professionals, consultants and relocating families.
When it opens in 2026, The Capital Boardwalk will add new capacity to the city’s accommodation market and strengthen Gqeberha’s profile as a destination for both business and leisure travel, while contributing to employment and tourism-linked spending in the Eastern Cape.
Capital Hotel Group extends hybrid hospitality
Founded in 2008, the Capital Hotel Group operates owner-managed, serviced apartment hotels across South Africa. Its hybrid model combines hotel services with apartment-style living, aimed at business and leisure travelers seeking flexibility.
With The Capital Boardwalk, the group is extending that model into the Eastern Cape, adding to South Africa’s evolving hospitality landscape while responding to changing travel patterns.
