Liz loves to share beautiful things. She works tirelessly and meticulously to design every nook of every room in The Royal Portfolio. She is a genius with colour combinations creating warm, inviting and inspiring spaces. Spaces in which guests are transported from their quotidian environments into an environment of relaxation and enjoyment.

Liz began her career as a teacher, before running a medical debt-collecting business, when her children were young. She held no fewer than five jobs in university, ranging from making lampshades and designing jewelry, to working with Phil at a travelling disco. Liz and Phil first experienced commercial success as key players in the South African fashion house Jenni Button. Liz sold her share of the fashion business turning her hand instead to luxury travel.

The plan to convert their holiday home on a private game reserve into a luxury lodge began on a whim.

“I knew nothing about running a hotel, but I knew what I liked” recalls Liz. However, “the fact that I’d never been in this industry before didn’t cause me to hesitate for a moment. It must have been a fit of madness.”

Liz and Phil charged full-steam ahead, rebuilding the property, laying down roads, and bringing both power and water to a secluded area of bush. Nine months later, Royal Malewane opened for business.