Capital Hotels opens $17 million Boardwalk aparthotel in Gqeberha

The Capital Hotels, Apartments & Resorts, a South African hotel chain, has opened The Capital Boardwalk, a $17 million aparthotel in Gqeberha, marking its entry into the Nelson Mandela Bay metro. The R270 million property includes 145 rooms and is located in the Boardwalk precinct in the city’s hospitality area within the precinct area.

Hybrid aparthotel targets corporate extended guests

While Cape Town and Durban often dominate South Africa’s coastal travel narrative, Gqeberha is increasingly drawing attention as a quieter but steadily evolving seaside destination. The new property reflects that shift. Designed as a hybrid between hotel services and long-stay apartment living, The Capital Boardwalk is structured to serve both short-term guests and longer-stay visitors, with operations set to begin on May 1.

The aparthotel model targets corporate travellers, contractors and expatriates who require flexible accommodation beyond conventional hotel stays. The concept combines apartment functionality with hotel services, offering self-catering facilities and standard hospitality. The group says the format suits travel needs where visitors stay for a weekend, business assignment or extended periods without changing accommodation structure over time.

Boardwalk opens; 500 jobs; 200 permanent

Chief executive officer Marc Wachsberger said the expansion reflects the group’s intent to support economic activity in the region while building out its presence in South Africa’s coastal markets. “With The Capital Boardwalk now open, we’re delivering on our promise to create a space that supports business, empowers local talent, and adds new energy to one of South Africa’s most storied coastal cities,” he said.

The development is expected to generate more than 500 direct and indirect jobs during construction, alongside between 170 and 200 permanent roles once the property becomes fully operational. Beyond employment, the group said it aims to strengthen local supply chains and extend visitor stays through its aparthotel structure, which is designed to accommodate longer-term occupancy patterns.

Shift blends leisure business travel

Located within Boardwalk precinct, the property adds a new layer to the city’s hospitality offering and signals growing investor interest in mixed-use accommodation assets in the region. It also highlights a broader shift in South Africa’s coastal hospitality sector, where operators are increasingly balancing leisure demand with business travel requirements.

The launch underscores intensifying competition among hotel operators seeking to capture a wider mix of travellers along the coast. Wachsberger said the investment reflects confidence in the region’s longer-term prospects, noting that Gqeberha holds potential not only as a tourism destination but also as a working city with evolving economic activity.