THE ROYAL VILLAS CROWNED ESWATINI'S LEADING HOTEL FOR FOURTH CONSECUTIVE TIME

By Tlalane Dlamini

The Royal Villas has once again been named Eswatini’s Leading Hotel 2026 at the prestigious World Travel Awards, marking the fourth consecutive time the luxury property has claimed the coveted title.

The latest accolade is a significant achievement for The Royal Villas and a powerful testament to its consistency, service excellence and commitment to delivering memorable guest experiences.

The recognition further cements the property’s position as one of the Kingdom’s premier accommodation establishments and highlights the quality of hospitality being delivered in Eswatini.

Established in 1993, the World Travel Awards were created to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the international tourism industry. Over the years, the awards have become a globally recognised benchmark for quality, with winners regarded as leaders within their respective fields.

A FOURTH CONSECUTIVE VICTORY

Speaking on the achievement, The Royal Villas General Manager, Karol Joszkowski, expressed excitement and gratitude, describing the recognition as a significant milestone for the property and its team.

“We are very excited and truly honoured to receive this recognition once again. To be named Eswatini’s Leading Hotel for the fourth consecutive time is an incredible achievement and something that we are extremely proud of,” said Joszkowski.

He noted that the repeated recognition was a reflection of the consistency and dedication demonstrated by the property’s team.

“Four consecutive wins demonstrate consistency, but they also come with a responsibility to continually improve. Every year, the expectations become higher, and that motivates us to keep raising the standard and ensuring that our guests receive an exceptional experience every time they stay with us,” he said.

Joszkowski further praised the Royal Villas team, saying their commitment to service excellence remained central to the property’s continued success.

“This recognition belongs to the entire Royal Villas family. I am incredibly proud of our team and the passion, professionalism and dedication they bring to their work every day. Their commitment to our guests is ultimately what makes achievements like this possible,” he said.

He also expressed appreciation to the property’s guests and partners for their continued support.

“We are deeply grateful to our guests and partners for their continued support and confidence in us. Without them, these achievements would not be possible,” Joszkowski added.

Looking ahead, he said the latest recognition would serve as motivation for the property to continue improving and investing in its people and guest experience.

“Winning for the fourth consecutive time is a proud moment, but we certainly do not see it as the end of the journey. It challenges us to do even better, to continue investing in our people and our product, and to ensure that The Royal Villas remains a benchmark for hospitality in Eswatini,” he said.

Joszkowski emphasised that the achievement also carries significance beyond the property itself, providing an opportunity to showcase Eswatini’s hospitality offering on an international platform.

“We are proud to represent Eswatini on an international platform and to show the world that the Kingdom is capable of delivering exceptional, world-class hospitality,” he said.

INSIDE THE PROPERTY

Located in the Ezulwini Valley, The Royal Villas offers a distinctive villa-style hospitality experience that combines privacy, space and personalised service.

The property comprises 20 individual villas, each featuring four bedrooms, providing guests with the comfort and privacy of a private residence while retaining the service standards associated with a leading hotel.

Its unique layout makes The Royal Villas particularly suited to a diverse range of guests, including dignitaries, families, leisure travellers and corporate visitors.

The spacious villa concept allows guests to enjoy an exclusive and comfortable environment while benefiting from the hospitality and services provided by the property.

This combination of privacy, personalised service and spacious accommodation has helped establish The Royal Villas as a distinctive offering within Eswatini’s tourism and hospitality landscape.

SETTING THE STANDARD

The fourth consecutive World Travel Awards victory represents more than another addition to The Royal Villas’ list of accolades. It demonstrates the property’s ability to consistently maintain its standards and compete successfully on an internationally recognised platform.

The achievement also comes as Eswatini continues to strengthen its position as a distinctive destination within the regional and international tourism market.

For the Kingdom’s hospitality sector, international recognition of this nature contributes to the broader promotion of Eswatini as a destination capable of delivering quality accommodation, service and memorable visitor experiences.

For The Royal Villas, the fourth consecutive title is both a milestone to celebrate and a renewed responsibility to maintain the standards that have placed the property at the forefront of Eswatini’s hospitality industry.

As the property looks ahead, its latest World Travel Awards recognition reinforces its commitment to excellence while continuing to showcase the Kingdom’s hospitality offering to guests from across the region and around the world.