The Royal Portfolio

The Royal Portfolio: boutique hotels and luxury lodges in South Africa

The Royal Portfolio is a South African hotel group that brings together boutique hotels, luxury lodges, private villas and private residences in some of the country's most renowned destinations. Its offering is built around four settings: safari, sea, wine and art, according to the company's own presentation.

Family origins and history

The group traces its origins to 1999, when the Biden family transformed their holiday home into what is now Royal Malewane. The founder and owner, Liz Biden, drove a project that sought to let visitors from around the world enjoy the same experience the family had lived and create their own African memories. Today the company presents itself as a showcase of the best of the Rainbow Nation, with stays in national parks, rugged coastlines, wine regions and the heart of Cape Town.

The group's properties

The portfolio includes four main properties, each associated with a different setting:

• Royal Malewane, in the Greater Kruger National Park, focused on the safari experience.
• La Residence, in Franschhoek, in the wine region.
• The Silo Hotel, in Cape Town.
• Birkenhead House, in Hermanus, by the coast.

In addition, there are private villas and private residences, designed for those seeking privacy, freedom and the comfort of their own space during their stay.

Experiences and itineraries

The company offers experiences linked to South Africa's natural and cultural environment: watching interactions between predators and prey, whale watching, the country's cuisine and vineyards, and meeting artists who tell African stories. It also offers suggested itineraries of between 7 and 10 nights, which can be personalised and combine different properties within the group. The company has travel specialists to design these proposals.

Bookings and customer service

The group allows direct booking through its website. The reservations team is available Monday to Friday, 8:00 to 17:00 (GMT+2), and there is an enquiry form for those not yet ready to book, with a response expected within 24 hours. The reservations team includes a manager, a team leader, agents and consultants, as well as a dedicated person for agent and media enquiries. Press enquiries are handled through a dedicated email address.

Foundation and sustainability

The Royal Portfolio maintains a foundation dedicated to supporting conservation and empowering local communities, according to information published by the company itself.

Recognition and stated values

The company attributes its success to the Biden family's commitment to a set of ideals: giving guests a complete experience and a perfect stay. Its website features third-party testimonials, such as that of Andrew Harper Traveller, who highlights the Bidens' ability to create luxury hotels in iconic destinations and make guests feel like family, or that of Victoria Mather in Vanity Fair, who underscores Liz Biden's role in transforming the perception of South African hotels.

Other services

The group offers gift vouchers to gift stays or complete experiences, and maintains a blog with content about the bush, the ocean, the vineyards and the city.