New Aparthotel in South Africa’s billionaire hotspot

A new R30 billion development in Stellenbosch plans to launch the KLEI Aparthotel in 2026, a first-of-its-kind in the Cape Winelands. 

The KLEI Aparthotel is part of the larger Devonbosch precinct, a 280-hectare mixed-use development by SquareTurn Developments. 

An aparthotel is a type of accommodation that combines the features of a hotel with the space and amenities of a residential apartment. 

It offers furnished units with kitchens, living areas, and separate bedrooms. Hotel services include reception, housekeeping, and sometimes on-site dining and fitness facilities.

The KLEI Aparthotel will offer 41 apartments and 62 aparthotel units for sale directly from the developer. 

One-bedroom units cost R3.35 million, and monthly levies are R2,672. Two-bedroom units cost R4.35 million, and monthly levies are R4,117. 

Additionally, the development noted that buyers receive a rental guarantee of 8% for the first three years from the date of transfer. 

While these apartments and units are targeted for buy-to-rent investors, owners also have the option to use them for 14 days annually.

The hotel will have a sky bar, entertainment area, and a rooftop splash pool. Guests can also use co-working spaces, the wellness spa and the clay cellar, where they can taste fine local wines.

The units will also have a 24/7 concierge, state-of-the-art security, and cleaning and maintenance services.

Residents will also have access to Devonbosch’s extended amenities, such as biking and running trails, extreme golf, water activities on multiple dams, a soccer academy, gym, music academy, and art gallery. 

Future developments for the precinct include the Ischia Italian Restaurant, Super Sconto Deli, Brickfields Café, a 24-hour pharmacy, a tertiary educational precinct and medical facilities.

Devonbosch noted that Totalstay will manage the short-term rental of a real estate investment in the Klei Aparthotel.

Totalstay is a leading aparthotel operator in South Africa, operating over 15 aparthotels across Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Pretoria. 

SquareTurn noted that the KLEI Aparthotel is part of an estimated R30 billion investment into the Devonbosch project. 

This will include residential, commercial, and hospitality developments over the next 25 years.

“With an estimated economic contribution of over R34 billion, we are an engine for economic prosperity in the Winelands,” said Devonbosch. 

“Our developments are also estimated to create approximately 132,000 jobs over their development period, significantly impacting the region’s growth.”

Situated in South Africa’s billionaire hotspot

The KLEI Aparthotel and the greater Devonbosch development are situated in an area fast becoming a billionaire hotspot in South Africa, and they clearly plan to capitalise on this. 

According to last year’s Africa Wealth report, the Cape Winelands is the second-richest region in the Western Cape.

The Cape Winelands comprises five major local municipalities: Stellenbosch, Drakenstein, Witzenberg, Breede Valley, and Langeberg.

The core towns of these districts include Fraschhoek, Stellenbosch, Paarl, Ceres, Worcester, and Robertson. 

According to the latest wealth report, these areas alone have seen a massive growth in multi-millionaire residents over the years.  

The report highlighted that Cape Winelands is home to 3,600 dollar millionaires and 16 centi-millionaires who have more than $100 million in liquid investable assets—about R18 billion.

Additionally, Devonbosch shares the town of Stellenbosch with two of South Africa’s dollar billionaires—Johann Rupert and Jannie Mouton.

Johann Rupert is famous for being the wealthiest person in South Africa and a prominent figure in the luxury goods industry. 

He is the chairman of Richemont, a Swiss luxury goods firm that owns brands like Cartier and Montblanc. Rupert has an estimated net wealth of $13.9 billion (R253 billion).

Johannes “Jannie” Mouton is a South African businessman who founded the investment holding company PSG Group, with an estimated net worth of $1.5 billion (R27 billion) 

Due to the massive wealth attracted to the Cape Windlands, Devonbosch is not the only billion-rand development in the works. 

Drakenstein city manager Johan Leibbrandt told City Press that thousands of developments worth an estimated R13 billion are in the pipeline. 

This includes 29 residential developments with 7,367 housing units under development, while another 31 developments with 13,940 housing units are in the approval process.

Additionally, big plans are underway to transform the Cape Winelands Airport into a hub for air travel to Cape Town with a capital investment of R8 billion.

The Cape Winelands Airport is in its final environmental impact assessment round and is expected to be commissioned in early 2028. It will offer both domestic and international flights.

KLEI Aparthotel