Sun City is a place I grew up reading about and hearing people make glowing remarks about the ultimate resort for family holidays.

I was impressed with what I saw during my visit recently.

The resort hosted journalists to show off the newly renovated Cabanas Hotel and Valley of Waves. The facilities were revamped to make them more appealing to adventure seekers, families and romantics.

From funky, modern bedrooms to high-speed slides and an overall island setting, a single day at Sun City was just not enough to explore what it has to offer.

It usually takes less than two hours to drive to Sun City from Johannesburg but we had to contend with an almost four-hour drive in the scorching sun after traffic was redirected to Rustenburg to avoid protesting residents.

It was quite refreshing when I arrived at the entrance of the Cabanas to a warm welcome by the friendly staff with finger snacks and ice-cold juice before being directed to my room.

The neatly made bed and colourful glossy sliding doors got me geared up for and island experience, albeit being in the middle of SA's bushveld.

Resort general manager Mike van Vuuren said the new Cabanas Hotel offers a fantastic mix of great accommodation and various services nearby.

"It's in a perfect setting for guests near the Sun City Waterworld Lake, as it ensures them a base from which to explore the resort."

A few moments later we were shuttled to The Valley of Waves. The transformation there includes the addition of two new slides where we also snacked and danced to some upbeat music.

We had fun taking pictures in the refreshing water that occasionally produced loud waves, cheered on by children and the elderly who went in for a swim.

We then moved to the slides where adventure lovers wasted no time in grabbing tubes and climbing up the wooden stairs to slide down.

The slides are definitely not for the faint-hearted and some of us who were not brave were reduced to bag ladies as we looked after the valuables of our more adventurers colleagues.

We were then whisked back to the hotel where a romantic island experience awaited us.

After freshening up, we were welcomed to the lawns next to the pool by belly dancers who handed us flower leis and exotic drinks. We made our way to the romantic setting of gazebos with white curtain flutters and white beach roman sofas, completed by white knee-high tables as we nibbled on more snacks. Dinner was a buffet feast with starters including salads and exotic fruits, while the mains included whole pig roast, prawns and crab roast, chicken, beef stew and starches. A lot of effort also went in to the sweet treats.

As we ate we were entertained by fire-wielding dancers and a live band until I called it a night early from fatigue at around 10pm. The next day we were served breakfast in the outdoor dining area of the hotel before we departed.

Van Vuuren added that they wanted to continue the tradition of being a destination that provides something for everyone, from luxury travellers to fun-seeking families, couples looking for a romantic getaway or adrenalin seekers looking for the very best adventure.

Indeed, there is something for everyone at Sun City.lMafokwane was hosted by Sun City