My name is Rael Phillips, and I’m the founder and CEO of Totalstay™ – a pioneering hospitality brand redefining how people stay, live, and invest in assets.
Over the past decade, I’ve grown Totalstay from a single short-term rental into a fully integrated aparthotel operator. Today, we manage over 750 keys across 17 properties, including signature developments like Latitude, The Bantry, Habitat, Xenia, and the upcoming Horizon.
Totalstay was born from a clear shift we saw in travel – people no longer want to choose between the comfort of a home and the ease of a hotel. They want both.
We’ve built a scalable platform that blends real estate, tech-enabled hospitality, and design-first thinking – delivering exceptional stays and consistent returns.
We now operate across Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Pretoria, with expansion plans into Mauritius, Africa, and Europe.
At the heart of Totalstay is a deep commitment to excellence, where we believe that every stay, should be a story. We create spaces that elevate everyday living, empower property investors with strong returns, and delight guests through design, service, and human connection.
Why do I believe I was nominated for this award? Because entrepreneurship is not just about building a business – it’s about creating value, jobs, and new possibilities. We have grown in the toughest market conditions by backing our people, investing in tech, and securing long-term deals that positioned us for scale.
As a Jewish entrepreneur, I carry forward values I was raised with: grit, purpose, integrity, and a sense of community. These values have shaped how I lead my team, build partnerships, and think long-term. We’ve created opportunities for hundreds of employees, collaborated with local designers and developers, and shown that a proudly South African brand can compete (and lead) on a global stage.
What makes me a worthy winner in the eyes of the judges is not just what we’ve built, but how we’ve built it. With no institutional funding in our early years, we bootstrapped a category-defining brand from the ground up. With each new building, I’ve learned, adapted, and continued to challenge traditional models in hospitality and real estate.
Winning the Eric Ellerine Entrepreneur Award would be a powerful affirmation – not just for me, but for every young Jewish entrepreneur who dreams of building something meaningful. It would recognise the incredible team behind Totalstay, and celebrate the belief that with vision, resilience, and the right values, anything is possible.
My vision is to continue building a legacy brand that unlocks real value – for people, for cities, and beyond. Personally, I’m committed to staying at the forefront of innovation in hospitality and urban living – designing businesses that are not just profitable, but purposeful. I see myself evolving into a builder of scalable ventures that can compete on the global stage, while mentoring the next generation of entrepreneurs to think big and act boldly.
For Totalstay, the future is global. We aim to be Africa’s leading aparthotel brand, with a footprint in every major African city and strategic hubs globally in key markets. We’re developing smart, design-led, flexible living models, and branded residences that meet the needs of a new generation of digital, mobile citizens – while delivering exceptional returns for our investors. As we grow, our commitment to design, service, and authenticity remains non-negotiable.
For South Africa, I believe entrepreneurship is the most powerful lever for change. Our country needs bold builders – people willing to take risks, create jobs, and imagine new futures. I want to play a role in reshaping how cities function, how we use space, and how we harness technology to drive inclusive growth. My vision is a South Africa that exports not just minerals or talent – but world-class brands and ideas.
Above all, I believe in leading with integrity, staying human, and building things that matter.
