Fine Dining Archives - Page 6 of 7

Kurland, The Crags, Plettenberg Bay

Ultimate luxury in a parkland setting within a short drive of spectacular beaches

This is a fascinating and luxurious hotel set in the countryside with views of the impressive Tsitsikamma Mountains. Although Kurland is one of South Africa’s leading stud farms and is renowned for its polo field and events, the hotel has a very relaxed atmosphere and is designed to ensure that families are not only welcome but exceptionally well catered for. The 15 suites are beautifully decorated and very generous in size. The style is Cape Dutch and so very traditional South African. Some family suites have a separate first floor open plane bedroom and bathroom for children complete with stair gate and cuddly toys on the beds to provide your children with a feeling of their own space. Some of the extra large suites also have their own private plunge pool.

About the Location

There is a childrens’ playroom complete with equipment and games right next to their own pool and outdoor games area. Activities include horse riding and quad bikes and the beach is approximately 15 minutes drive away. The Crags has some fascinating animal parks populated mainly by animals rescued from domesticity and here you will be able to get close to cats, elephants, monkees and even snakes, There is the largest aviary in the southern hemisphere and you can round off a visit with a tour and lunch at a local winery. Storms River with the Tree Top Canopy Tour experience and the spectacular Tsitsikamma Coastal National Park is just 35 minutes drive while for the exceptionally brave, the World’s highest bungee jump is even closer.

Kurland, The Crags

St. James , Knysna

Very special hotel with perfect luxury situated on the Knysna lagoon

This is a luxurious, family run hotel situated just outside the main town of Knysna on a peninsula jutting out into the wonderful Knysna Lagoon. The 19 rooms and suites are some of the largest we have encountered, many of which have a lounge and study area and some with fireplaces for the cooler winter evenings. The bathrooms match the rooms in opulence. Some are in a courtyard building including 4 exceptionally luxurious suites set around their own pool. You can choose from garden, courtyard or lagoon facing suites.

About the Location

There is a boat available for guest use from the little jetty and the gardens provide a wonderfully restful place to sit, contemplate and just relax. The birdlife here is incredible down to the hotel’s resident owl! For clients looking for something a little different, St. James provides an experience at a price that is difficult to match in the Cape.

River Bend Country Lodge, Addo National Park

Great accommodation close to The Addo National Park

As a place to stay, now within the borders of the recently enlarged Addo National Park, and be pampered this small hotel of just 8 luxury suites offers their guests a calm and relaxed environment. The hotel’s rooms are exquisitely decorated and are in bungalows set around a central courtyard.

About the Location

After a morning’s game drive, return and have a leisurely breakfast overlooking the beautiful scenery of the Sunday’s River Valley, maybe relax beside the pool and then visit the health and beauty facilities before taking another game drive in the late afternoon. We advise an early and late drive because you will see different varieties of game. In the early morning you will see many different antelope including the massive, but normally shy and reclusive, Eland. Springbok, Kudu and Hartebeest abound and you are quite likely to spot a pair of jackal returning after a hard night’s work! Elephants will be walking to the waterholes for a morning’s refreshment and you will also see Warthog, Zebra, Meerkat, Ostrich and the extraordinary Secretary birds as the search for snakes! In the late afternoon you should see Rhino and Cape buffalo and, as they are introduced, Lion.

Elephant House, Addo National Park

Elephant House is a charming retreat close to the Addo National Park

Elephant House has a very African feel. The seven rooms are arranged around a courtyard and are thatched with deep verandas; there is also a separate cottage. The rooms are simply, but effectively decorated to a very high standard and they are larger than average. They have a pleasantly cool feel, which is necessary during the summer heat. The pool is very welcome after a hot day spotting game in the nearby Addo Park. We believe the value represented by The Elephant House will amaze you.

About the location

You can take an organised game drives into the Addo National Park with an experienced ranger or maybe you would like to drive yourself into the reserve. Elephant House can also arrange safaris into the private game reserves such as Schotia, Shamwari, Lalibela and River Bend. These will provide a different experience with the rangers able to drive off the main paths into the bush to find game.

Woodall Country House & Spa, Addo National Park

Woodall is for people wanting to be pampered and enjoy a ‘get away from it all’ feel.

Woodall is owner run and is a consistent favourite of ours and our clients. Accommodation comprises very luxuriously appointed rooms and suites in the main house and four cottages in the grounds. Some rooms in the cottages also feature very private outside showers in addition to the luxury provided by the well-equipped bathrooms. These are beautiful set alongside a peaceful lake and among citrus orchards. The stunning pool is surrounded by palms and a waterfall and is situated close to an excellent wellness centre.As well as the sumptuous breakfasts, dinners served in the thatched restaurant overlooking the dam is an experience in itself. Great, freshly cooked food and perfect selection of wines.

About Woodall’s Location

The area is a haven for water birds. Woodall is well renowned for its fine cuisine and you are sure to be impressed by the imaginative dinner menu and the extensive wine list. Escorted game drives are arranged in the Addo National Park and Schotia and Shamwari Private Game Reserves. From here, you can also explore the Zuurberg Mountain area and tour around the historic 1820 Settler region.

Gorah Elephant Camp, Addo Elephant National Park

Gorah provides ultimate luxury in the African Bush where you can wake up to the sound of a lion’s roar

Gorah is part of the Hunter’s, Tsala group of Hotels. If you are looking for ultimate luxury, and a price that reflects this, then Gorah is the place for you. The location can’t be bettered. It is located inside the original park and that means that is near the middle of the enlarged Greater Addo National Park. There are 11-tented suites, which are the ultimate in luxury. These provide a very romantic setting and are fully equipped complete with sitting area, with views over the surrounding countryside, and a beautiful bathroom. The standard of cuisine is some of the highest in South Africa and is served in the old manor house overlooking a waterhole. You are quite likely to see an elephant or Cape Buffalo grazing around your tent. Accommodation is all inclusive of your meals, sundowner on your game drive and local beverages. Our clients have regarded their stay as a very special experience.

About Gorah’s Location

You will see a wealth of animals on your two 3 1/2 hour game drives a day, especially elephant. Addo boasts the densest elephant population on earth! This is a ‘Big Five’ reserve so you will see lion, cape buffalo, rhino as well as numerous antelope, giraffe, zebra and ostrich as well as the occasional and utterly charming meerkat. The rangers are very experienced and they will instruct you on the local medicinal plants and even get you crunch into a tasty termite! The sky at night is incredible and we will never forget seeing the moons of Jupiter through the ranger’s binoculars. Sundowners will be provided on the game drive and few will forget the sight of a table being laid with a pristine table cloth in the bush! You can also ask about a bush walk guided by an experience ranger.

Shamwari Private Game Reserve, Near Addo

Very popular non malarial safari with international tourists

This was established as one of the first private reserves near Addo and has grown over the last few years to include a number of very individualistic camps – including one with luxury tents. The accommodation is a very high standard and includes the larger, exclusive Longlee Manor, the beautifully sited Riverdene, the tented Bayethe and the more expensive but romantic Eagle Crags.

About the Location

The game drives are among some of the most productive we have encountered in South Africa providing great opportunity to view the ‘Big Five’ but without the added concern of malaria. The game rangers are experienced and will help your enjoyment of the safari. Shamwari is justly renowned for its cuisine and given its relatively close proximity to Port Elizabeth, less than an hour’s drive, makes it an ideal safari either at the beginning or end of your journey along the Garden Route.

Shamwari 2015

Bushmanskloof, Clanwilliam, Western Cape

Superlatives just don’t do justice to Bushmanskloof and its location.

It is almost difficult to describe the quality of Bushmanskloof’s accommodation, the complete tranquility and natural beauty of the surroundings. The location is remote, approximately a 3 hour drive from Cape Town. Your every need will be catered for. The lodge has 16 luxurious rooms and stunning suites which are among the most comfortable we have encountered. There are two ‘infinity’ swimming pools overlooking the surrounding wilderness for you to relax around. The restaurant provides exquisite cuisine and all meals are included. There is a very well stocked wine cellar and to burn off those calories, there is a well equipped wellness centre. The evening game drive will show you some of the indigenous species that have been reintroduced over the last few years. The morning nature walk will fascinate you. You will be introduced to the fascinating plant life. These will include the amazing and surreal kokerboom (quiver tree) to the tiny stone plants occupying seemingly inhospitable rock faces. There is also an extraordinary range of bird life and the experienced rangers will provide you with detailed information. Access from Clanwilliam is an hours’ drive along a gravel road that can be variable in condition.

About Bushmanskloof’s Location

Clanwilliam is an attractive historically significant village. A look at the cemetery will tell you of the important role the village played in the closing stages of the Boer War. This is the heart of the Rooibos (Redbush) tea industry which is unique to a small region based on Clanwilliam. guided tours to the tea plantations can be arranged. Guided hikes can be arranged in the rugged Cedarberg to see some of the extraordinary geological shapes in these stunning mountains. In late August and early September you will experience this semi arid location burst into colourful bloom.

Desert Flowers, Cape & Safari

The Vineyard Hotel, Cape Town

Slightly impersonal but a very convenient and comfortable hotel

The Vineyard is a large family owned and run hotel set in beautiful garden in the leafy Cape Town suburb of Newlands. It is very convenient for the cricket and rugby grounds and Cavendish Square Mall that is within walking distance. The reasonably sized rooms are comfortably furnished and decorated and either have a courtyard view or a mountain view. There are two excellent restaurants that offer a wide choice of cuisine. The pool and wellness centre must be seen to be believed with state of the art design and facilities. Guests will also find the ancient giant tortoises a delightful encounter as they wander around the luxuriant gardens.

About the Location

The hotel is one of the closest to the airport (approximately 20 minutes) and only 15 minutes from the city centre yet with a country ambiance. This is a very convenient location for the Kirstenbosch Gardens which are a 10 minute drive. Cape Point is approximately a 40 minute drive while the Cape Winlands around Stellenbosch and Franschhoek are just a 30 minute drive.

The Bay Hotel, Camps Bay

If you are looking for a stylish beach-side luxurious hotel – The Bay Hotel is for you

This is a well-known hotel with one of the best beach-side locations in the Cape Town area. Just 10 minutes drive from the Table Mountain Cableway and the bustling city centre; you will be a short walk across the road to one of the most popular beaches in The Cape. The accommodation and public areas has been the subject of an extensive refurbishment and in our view offers excellent accommodation at a reasonable price. The hotel has good facilities including restaurants, a wellness centre and two pools but its location means that you will be within easy walking distance of some well-rated restaurants in the busy centre of Camps Bay.

About the Location

This is a good base for touring around the scenic Cape Peninsula and Table Mountain beckons from most windows. You should note that during the main South African school holidays, especially over Christmas and New Year, the Camps Bay area becomes very busy.