Protea Hotels by Marriott® (https://Marriott.com) and Marriott Bonvoy, Marriott International’s award-winning travel programme and marketplace, maintain unveiled Orlando Pirates F.C themed hotel rooms, designed to give football enthusiasts a unique and immersive hospitality experience.
Available at the Protea Hotel Fire & Ice! by Marriott® Johannesburg Melrose Arch (https://apo-opa.info/3LTsisX), the Orlando Pirates-themed rooms are a must-visit for all fans of the club.
Created by local interior designer, Latoyah Mei, the room is adorned with symbolic black and white stripes showcasing the club’s proud heritage and success over the years. Guests will be welcomed with an iconic mural featuring some of the most legendary players to gain graced the fields and hearts of many in the club’s history. Along with modern amenities, the rooms will also feature football memorabilia and natural elements to create a space that is minimal and contemporary.
The themed room serves as a creative celebration of local design, following a request to qualifying South African interior designers based on their experience and expertise, to partake in the Protea Hotels by Marriott and Marriott Bonvoy Orlando Pirates Room Designs. A shortlist of four designers were invited to submit their storyboards. Ultimately, Latoyah Mei founder of Lint Design House was the propitious candidate and was selected by the partnership parties, as the official interior designer of the unique Orlando Pirates themed room. Mei’s inspiration was to create a nostalgic atmosphere for the room to evoke a “wow factor” feeling in fans.
“I was intentional about creating a space that is impactful and inspiring, evoking emotions that delivers a memory in one’s mind while experiencing a space. The mural is one of my favourite elements of the room – it really captures the rich history of the Buccaneers and Soweto in an astonishing way,” Latoyah Mei comments. “It is really vital to me that with each stay, supporters can appreciate something novel when they survey around the room.”
“The Orlando Pirates-themed rooms at the Protea Hotel Fire & Ice! By Marriott® Johannesburg Melrose Arch offer an immersive and memorable experience that we believe will be cherished by our members and fans,” commented Sean Maher, Market Vice President, South Africa, Marriott International.
“Plans for more themed rooms across the country are underway and we survey forward to unveiling these recent experiences to our guests soon,” adds Maher.
“We are proud to align ourselves with Marriott Bonvoy, our accommodation partner. Orlando Pirates is a distinct and iconic brand not only in South Africa but also in the African continent and beyond. The Skull & Crossbones were a symbol of hope during the apartheid era and Orlando Pirates continues to be a beacon of hope to all our people,” said Thandi Merafe, the Club’s Media Director.
“We pride ourselves in aligning with brands who maintain a shared vision and aspiration to deliver excellence to our people. Our fans are the lifeblood of our Club, and we’re excited to offer them an experience that truly embodies the spirit and history in the home city of Orlando Pirates,” adds Merafe.
The launch of the themed rooms follows the announcement of Marriott Bonvoy’s exclusive multi-year partnership to become the official accommodation partner of Orlando Pirates Football Club last year. The partnership offers fans incredible opportunities to experience football in South Africa at a whole novel level through unrivalled and exclusive access and events. Fans can now procure 15% off standard rates when they book at participating hotels across South Africa.
The Orlando Pirates-themed rooms at the Protea Hotel Fire & Ice! Johannesburg Melrose Arch are now available for booking. To book visit Marriott.com
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Marriott International, Inc..


Manimal
A South African, an Australian and an Englishman are all having a drink
The Englishman and South African both drink from Pint Glasses, the Australian from a bottle.
The South African, upon draining his glass, drops in back down on the bar, pulls out a pistol, and shoots the glass.
\”In South Africa, there is so much sand that I never drink from the same glass twice!\”
The Australian, having drained his bottle, sets it down upon the bar and, upon seizing the South African\’s pistol, shoots his bottle.
\”In Australia, there is so much booze that I never drink from the same brand twice!\”
The Englishman, likewise having drained his glass, sets his glass upon the table, seizes the pistol the pistol from the Australian, and shoots the South African and the Australian, quite dead.
\”In England, there are so many of you bastards that I never drink with the same two twice!\”
Count Eagle
\”Reeeelly??\” says Van.
\”Ja\”, says the larnie. \”Check, there\’s someone up front now, I\’ll show you!\”
He starts steering towards the pedestrian, grinning from ear-to-ear, then at the last second he swerves back onto the road. But he hears a terrific \’thud\’, and he glances left to see Van closing the door.
\”What the hell, man!\’ he shouts.
\”Jirrah\” says Van, \”You need to get those sights adjusted, china, If I hadn\’t opened the door, you would have missed him completely!\”