Courtyard Hotel Gqeberha reveals its newly revamped 25 Degrees East.
There is no better time than this time of the year to introduce a new food and aesthetically pleasing dining experience anywhere in the world. This time, it is right here in Gqeberha, inside Courtyard Hotel Gqeberha, where its newly revamped restaurant, 25 Degrees East, has opened its doors and we honoured the invitation to experience it.
Though the weather wasn’t quite on our side, it didn’t stop us or the Courtyard Hotel Gqeberha team from delivering. What unfolded was an overnight media experience that began at midday on Friday and concluded with check-out on Saturday, bringing together a number of local media houses to experience the full facelift of the four-star Courtyard Hotel Gqeberha, with the reveal of its newly revamped restaurant, 25 Degrees East, taking centre stage.
And rather than simply inviting the media in for a meal and a quick look around, the experience offered an opportunity to rediscover a little more of Gqeberha too.
Part of Friday’s activities included a city tour, with a visit to the Main Library before heading to Richmond Hill Brewing Co for a tour and tasting. It was a fitting addition to an experience centred around hospitality, food and the city itself, before attention shifted back to Courtyard Hotel Gqeberha and the transformation that had taken place there.
Hotel General Manager Erich Oberhauser spoke about the refurbishment and shared insights into what is currently happening within tourism in Nelson Mandela Bay, placing the hotel’s refreshed offering within the broader tourism landscape of the city.
While the facelift extends across the four-star property, 25 Degrees East was undoubtedly one of the major reveals.
The restaurant has been given a completely refreshed identity, bringing together creativity, design, food and a welcoming atmosphere. One thing that immediately stood out was the attention to detail throughout the space, with elements of the interior carefully considered to create an environment that feels distinctive rather than simply newly decorated.
According to the team behind the project, the concept forms part of a broader approach to revamping spaces across different provinces, with Gqeberha receiving its own creative transformation. A team of designers and creatives was brought together to develop the new concept, with the intention of creating an identity that feels deliberate and connected to its surroundings.
One of the most striking features is the artwork throughout the restaurant. The walls and ceiling feature hand-painted elements, with each detail contributing to the overall look and feel of the space. The site tour also gave the media an opportunity to explore the property and see the results of the refurbishment first-hand.
Rather than simply replacing furniture or changing décor, creativity has been placed at the centre of the experience. It is the kind of detail that becomes more noticeable the longer you spend inside 25 Degrees East, with the artwork becoming part of the character of the restaurant itself.
The transformation also extends beyond the interiors, with changes made to elements of the menu to complement the restaurant’s new direction.
But perhaps one of the most important things for Gqeberha residents to know is that 25 Degrees East is not reserved for hotel guests only.
Speaking during the reveal, the hotel manager emphasised that the restaurant is open to the public. You do not need to be staying at Courtyard Hotel Gqeberha to walk through the doors, take a seat and enjoy what 25 Degrees East has to offer.
The restaurant is also designed to be family-friendly, welcoming children and families while offering an environment where people can meet, dine or even settle in and get some work done.
That versatility allows 25 Degrees East to become more than simply the restaurant attached to a hotel. It can be a dining destination, a meeting point, a family space or somewhere to spend a few hours working while enjoying the surroundings.
For the media in attendance, the overnight stay also meant experiencing the hotel beyond the restaurant. From Friday’s city activities and hotel tour to spending the night in its rooms and checking out on Saturday, the programme provided a fuller picture of what Courtyard Hotel Gqeberha is presenting following its facelift.
And perhaps that is what made the reveal particularly effective. Instead of simply being shown what had changed, we were given an opportunity to experience it.
For Gqeberha, the refurbishment represents a refreshed hospitality offering at a time when the city continues to position itself as a destination for both leisure and business travel. At the heart of that renewed experience is 25 Degrees East, bringing together food, creativity, thoughtful design and an open invitation to hotel guests and locals alike.
Even with the weather refusing to play along, the experience delivered.
After experiencing the transformation first-hand, it is clear that considerable thought has gone into this new chapter for the four-star Courtyard Hotel Gqeberha. And while the hotel itself may have received a full facelift, 25 Degrees East gives locals perhaps the easiest way to experience that transformation for themselves. The doors are open, the table is set, and Gqeberha is invited.
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