1. Riviera on Vaal Hotel
History

2. Early 1920’s
The site where the Riviera on Vaal Hotel and Country Club is situated today has been a
popular relaxation spot for many visitors since as early as the 1920’s. With a majestic single
story house featuring as kiosk, this was a venue for brisk trade with fun seekers of the time
who enjoyed boating, water polo, swimming and many other activities.

4. Riviera Hotel

8. Riviera Hotel
An American, Mr. Schlesinger, who had made 43 movies within seven years at that time,
visited the site and fell in love with its beauty. In fact, he claimed it to be one of the most
beautiful sites he had ever seen. Due to his success in the movie business, he was able to
develop the ultra modern Riviera Hotel. The hotel featured a bathroom in each room, which
was a luxury unheard of in those years. Mr. Schlesinger opened the doors to the hotel on
August 29th, 1936. It was on this same day, also, that the Vereeniging to Durban air race
was held, together with the opening of the Vereeniging Aerodrome.

13. Floods 1975
Unfortunately, from the 1960’s, the hotels popularity declined. Early in the year of 1975,
disastrous floods submerged most of the low-lying areas of Vereeniging – the hotel and the
adjacent golf course included. During this time, it was the Behr family who owned the hotel.
They had taken over a completely dilapidated hotel in 1970 and a complete renovation was
erected. The hotel started to gain popularity with much of its success coming from Mrs.
Cynthia Behr, who was known for her strictness and spectacular buffets. The highlight of the
week was usually the popular Sunday dinner and movie evenings, which was always full in
the pre-television days.

14. Casino Fever
In the late 70’s and early 80’s, Sun City opened its doors as Casino fever hit South Africa. In
August 1981, it was reported that the Riviera Hotel and part of the adjacent land had been
sold. Word was that a giant hotel complex, called Aqua City, would be developed and it was
to be a fun park for the whole family.
Problems rose immediately, with Rand Water as the catalyst. The hotels 2- star grading was
lost and its doors were closed in 1983. Rand Water’s ruling was that the hotel would have
had to be built at least 100 meters from the river.

19. 1984 Revamp
In March 1984 the entire hotel was stripped to a bare shell, with two storeys being added.
Sun International ran the hotel, until they failed to secure a gambling license and then sold it
to Sir John Sherry. He was the founder of the listed Jasco Holdings in 1998. Unfortunately,
things did not look up for the hotel and standards decreased dramatically until the hotel was
put up for auction in 2003.

22. Riviera on Vaal Hotel Today
Businessman Mac van der Merwe saw potential and bought the hotel in November 2003,
where after the entire hotel and grounds were completely renovated and rebuilt within three
months’ time. The hotels first 30 rooms were officially reopened on March the 12th, 2004.