HLANE – King Mswati III on Monday, 23 March 2026, officially opened the Hlane Royal Hotel, marking the completion of the first phase of a major hospitality development in the eastern part of the country.
The ceremony, attended by Indlovukazi and senior government officials, also saw the King name the facility Nsulutane Property Hotel. The project forms part of the Inyatsi Group Holdings portfolio and was developed through Construction Associates at an estimated cost of E200 million.
Located about 15 to 20 minutes from King Mswati III International Airport, the hotel offers 42 rooms, including five executive suites and 37 standard and family rooms, catering to both leisure and business travellers. The facility features landscaped gardens, scenic surroundings, a restaurant serving local cuisine, a 500 capacity multipurpose event venue, and two boardrooms, while plans are in place to introduce a spa in the next phase. 
The development has been underway since 2022, with the King attending key milestones leading up to the official opening. It has created over 1,500 jobs during the construction phase, with further employment opportunities expected in hospitality, administration, and maintenance as operations begin. Communities around Hlane have also benefited from the project through job creation and supply of materials, with more than 90 percent of construction inputs sourced locally.
The King said the project reflects a deliberate effort to develop previously underserved areas. “True development comes from investing in areas that need growth, not from inheriting what is already built,” he said, noting that Hlane is gradually transforming into an economic hub.
Before the official opening, the King performed a sod cutting ceremony for a new filling station and shopping complex in the area, signalling further expansion that will include retail outlets, dining facilities, villas, and additional infrastructure aimed at boosting economic activity.
Among those present were Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini, Minister of Tourism and Environmental Affairs Jane Mkhonta-Simelane, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade Manqoba Khumalo, Minister of Foreign Affairs Pholile Shakantu, and Inyatsi Group Holdings Executive Chairman Michello Shakantu, alongside community members.
Prime Minister Dlamini described the project as part of the country’s broader Nkwe development vision aimed at achieving first world status, while praising the role played by Inyatsi Group Holdings in driving economic growth.
Minister Mkhonta Simelane said the hotel’s proximity to the airport and its standards are expected to attract international visitors who previously stayed in Mbabane or Ezulwini, strengthening the tourism sector and creating sustained employment.
The hotel is also expected to complement the upcoming Eswatini International Convention Centre, which is set to open on April 25, 2026, as part of celebrations marking 40 years of the King’s reign.
