Everything was in place for a fantastic opening of the new Aerotel VIP. Drinks were served on arrival and we were spoiled with a wonderfully catered and hosted afternoon. We were privileged to be part of the selected guests, as invitees to this event. Even the Mayor was there! The hotel overlooks the bushveld and has wonderful vistas of the northern Drakensberg mountains.
It is unusual to be in a hotel that effectively is an aeroplane. Martin and Tracy have done a great job on this beauty – well-appointed and finished off, the plane is elegantly decorated and will serve its time now as an exclusive hotel destination – right here in Hoedspruit.
The history of the plane is a colourful one. It is a Boeing 727-191 (aka SAL), with the deregistered number of J2-KBA, and it has travelled some distance on its way to the heart of Limpopo.
The plane entered service on the 2th of June 1967, in Denver Colorado, USA, at Frontier Airline and remained in the United States for over 20 years. It then was commissioned to Dart Airline in the Ukraine, and a few years later found its way to Africa, and was operated and flown by Aeronexus. SAL was further to be the private jet for the President of Djibouti for over 10 years. SAL eventually found itself in South Africa, and was finally grounded in 2012, never to fly again.
SAL rose to fame a few years later, becoming part of the first aeroplane hotel in South Africa and indeed the southern hemisphere in 2022. It was restored and rebuilt into a three room, six sleeper, Aero Villa.
Transported by road from Johannesburg to Hoedspruit over a period of 5 days, it was re-assembled and then reworked, buffed, polished and furnished, to spend the rest of its days overlooking the northern Drakensberg mountains and the glorious African bushveld.
It’s well worth a visit, and for the curious, it holds the promise of being a fantastic destination and stay.
