The V&A Waterfront is one of Cape Town’s most iconic landmarks; it’s an important part of the city’s maritime history and has evolved into a vibrant tourist hub. At its epicentre is the Victoria & Alfred Hotel, which is located right on the harbour’s edge and overlooks the waters of Table Bay and Table Mountain as well.

A Shopper’s Paradise

The Victoria & Alfred Hotel’s reception area blends seamlessly into a shopping lobby, so you can literally roll out of bed and straight into doing some retail therapy. Beautiful local art, clothing, jewellery and curios literally surround you at every turn. Just a few steps away is the V&A Food Market and the Watershed, so you are literally spoilt for choice.

As a tourist, you can spend your time in Cape Town exploring everything the Mother City has to offer, leave all your gift shopping to the last minute and then do it without having to walk more than a few steps.

Besides just being convenient for shopping, the hotel is also just a few steps away from the Cape Wheel, the Springbok Experience museum, the Two Oceans Aquarium and more.

A team of friendly porters will greet you as you arrive at the Victoria & Alfred Hotel and the theme of friendly personal attention carries through from the reception team, right to the handwritten welcome note in your room. The rooms are spacious and neat with modern bathrooms facilities, coffee, tea and mini bar amenities, local wine and a latest magazine for when you are ready to kick your feet up and relax.

Dining in at Ginja Restaurant

The hotel is home to Ginja Restaurant, which is located on the ground floor of the hotel and also boasts an unparalleled view over the harbour and city.

In winter, it’s kept cosy inside warmed by free-standing fireplaces, and in summer, the deck that wraps around the front of the restaurant and the tables outside, are ideal to soak up the sunshine with a cocktail in hand.

Ginja Restaurant focuses on gourmet food that has maximum flavour and is beautifully presented.

As it is a family hotel, the restaurant offers a great menu of sandwiches, wraps, pasta dishes and more, plus a great choice for children too. So, while the food is stylish and tasty, it remains well-priced and wholesome.

Rustic Sunday Lunch at Ginja Restuarant

Currently, Ginja is offering a Rustic Sunday Lunch that should not be missed. The idea is to share and the portions are generous, so going in a group is really ideal, as you will be able to try a few different things. We saw pork belly on the menu and simply couldn’t go beyond that. Described as slow roasted in milk, with crispy crackling and served with a pineapple and pork reduction, it was a no brainer. With this, we opted for the broccoli, almond and feta salad and the hot veg side of duck fat potatoes (who could resist?).

We definitely made the right choices. The food was absolutely sublime and is exactly what you would want from a Sunday roast – all of the deliciousness but none of the work (no dishes to wash – bliss!).

The pork was silky soft and juicy and the pineapple glaze was sweet and tart, perfect to cut through the incredible pork richness. The duck fat potatoes were crispy golden nuggets and the fresh broccoli salad was just enough greens to make us feel like we weren’t being completely gluttonous.

The Ultimate Breakfast Spread at the Victoria & Alfred Hotel

If you’re staying at the Victoria & Alfred Hotel, the trick if you are planning on having the Rustic Sunday Roast, is to make sure you don’t go overboard with breakfast in the morning. It will be tough though, as the spread the hotel puts on is amazing. When you wake up to the bustling Waterfront, it’s great to be able to wander down to Ginja for breakfast. The breakfast buffet is three tables long and includes pastries, divine local cheeses, salmon with all the trimmings, fruits, granolas and more, plus a full hot menu served to order as well.

Native Coffee Bar

If you’re an early riser, you’ll be glad to know that the hotel has its own coffee bar, Native, open from 06h30. Native serves excellent coffee and a mean chocolate croissant if the moment grabs you. If you’re feeling energetic, you can take a jog around the V&A’s marked jogging path and then grab an early coffee (and a croissant) when you’re back.

The hotel is part of the Newmark group so guests can also use the spa and pool facilities located just across the road at the Queen Victoria  Hotel & Manor House.

Whether you’re visiting Cape Town as a tourist or are a local looking for a place to eat, The Victoria & Alfred Hotel & Ginja Restaurant offer both options. With a superlative view, a vibey location and competitive pricing, it’s a combo that’s hard to beat.

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If you do a lot of travelling, whether it’s for business or pleasure, places can start to blur from one to the next. Every now and then though, you will come across a spot that is unique in subtle, clever ways that set it apart from others. As its name suggests, One Marine Drive Boutique Hotel is located on Marine Drive in the seaside town of Hermanus. This positioning gives it an uninterrupted view over Walker Bay from all of its five rooms.

The boutique hotel is designed in such a way that it maximises the use of all of its space really cleverly, with each corner serving a well-designed purpose. The contemporary space is punctuated by bright pops of colour that in many other spaces would look out of place. Here though, they emphasise the sense of fun and whimsy that is a theme that runs through the hotel. Adding to that is the collection of beautifully stitched whales that you’ll find on your bed, tucked into the corner of a couch and popping up in other spots, reminding you that you’re visiting the famous Whale Coast.

The space gives the impression that the person who designed it did so with a sense of joy, with the intention for this to carry through to guests, and it does.

The hotel has a lovely central pool area, complete with bright green astro grass, which looks perfect no matter what the season. Loungers are dotted around the area and are ideally placed to maximise the morning sun as it pools in the courtyard.

Another really inspired touch, as you go up one level of the hotel, is the reading deck. This is another area that has been created to capture the sunlight and is fitted with comfy raised banquettes. It comes complete with blankets for chillier moments and a whale to keep you company.

If like me, you always travel with a book and are constantly on the lookout for a place to curl up and get in a few pages, it is absolute Shangri-La.

The area is outfitted in bright pink, and this, along with the brightly painted pink communal coffee and tea station, subtly lift the spirit without you even realising it.

The rooms are immaculately fitted as well, with really clever touches for the modern traveller – an iPad in the room can be used to search things to do in the area, or just to catch up on email or social media. All rooms have USB ports for charging phones and a cell phone to dial reception.

The room we stayed in had a feature wall of funky colourful foliage wallpaper, which changes the space from boring hotel room to a bright and fun place to stay. After a busy day of exploring the area, it can be an inviting prospect to just stay in and enjoy the lovely hotel surroundings and so that’s just what we did. A good selection of movies are available to stream in the room and ordering in felt like the perfect way to spend the evening. The helpful reception staff will go out of their way to assist you with anything, from dinner bookings to ordering takeaway and suggesting one of the many must-see places in the area.

Breakfast is served downstairs; if it’s warm enough, around the pool, alternatively indoors warmed by the fireplace. A hot cooked option is offered along with a selection of cheeses, freshly baked pastries, yoghurt, smoothies, granola and fresh fruit. Everything prepared and served by the team.

There are obviously distinct advantages to visiting a busy area such as the Whale Coast and staying in a small boutique hotel such as One Marine Drive, the first and most relevant being the level of personalised service. Absolutely nothing is too much trouble for the friendly team and the size of the hotel makes it possible to consistently maintain that service level.

Another benefit is that the hotel is small enough to offer lots of unique, thoughtful touches that are manageable in the environment. Guests are encouraged to help themselves to a sherry, port or Amarula to warm up from any one of the drinks trays. There are communal beverage stations with coffees, teas and chocolate biscuits. A cake counter where you can help yourself to a slice for afternoon tea, and a dangerously large bowl of sweets on the front desk, which, with a sweet tooth like mine in the midst, was noticeably leaner by the time we left.

Everything at One Marine Drive is immaculate and it is very obvious that every detail has been thoughtfully considered. This is not just another small, well-appointed boutique hotel, this is a home away from home where you can truly relax and feel well looked after. The sense of playfulness that seems to have guided the choices in decór filters through all aspects and removes the stiffness that often comes with a luxurious hotel. We left One Marine Drive after a short stay feeling rested and light of heart and really, I can’t think of a better way for guests to feel when they leave any establishment.

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The Queen Victoria Hotel is one of those quiet places that you wouldn’t know was there unless someone told you. It’s located at the V&A Waterfront but not along the harbour front like most, but rather is set back on the hill that overlooks the same area. Its unassuming nature and location is part of its charm as it shies away from the hustle of the harbour and rather views it from above, probably a bit like the monarch that it is named after.

The Manor House suites are the latest addition to the hotel and are even more demure in their existence and again, this is where their real charm lies.

The 4-roomed annexe is situated right next to the hotel and is the last word in privacy and personal attention, with butlers available to attend to every need around the clock.

Our suite at the Manor House was beautifully decorated with attention paid to luxurious finishes such as Egyptian cotton sheets, a silk finished headboard and velvet cushions. Thoughtful touches such as complimentary MCC on arrival, along with a handwritten note from our butler on duty, Alex, made us feel very welcome.

The bathroom of our Manor House suite was very spacious with a great power shower and free standing bath. The toiletries provided are from famed London brand, Molton Brown, and their fragrance is simply unmistakable. Were it not for stringent water restrictions, I would have definitely taken the time to luxuriate in a long bubbly soak.

Dinner is served at the main hotel restaurant, Dash, and is an à la carte menu. The menu is seasonal and the hotel also offers winter set menu specials (booking is recommended). The wine list is extensive and showcases some of the best local wines on offer, wine lovers will have plenty to choose from. We opted for the line fish main (salmon) and the lamb loin served with pearl barley, beetroot purée and a jus. Both meals were elegantly plated and delicious. We followed that with a decadent molten chocolate fondant with orange ice cream and the last few sips of our delicious Cabernet Franc from Rainbow’s End.

The V&A Waterfront is a mere few steps from the hotel and so it is a great place to be based if you are visiting the area. For those visiting the city on business, the hotel is centrally located with easy access into town. Before you head out to discover all that Cape Town has to offer though, you need to have a good breakfast and this is also served at Dash in the morning.

If you are staying at the Manor House suites you can opt to have breakfast served to you in the privacy of your room or even just start the day with coffee brought to you by the butler on duty. If weather permits it can be set up on the balcony overlooking Table Mountain, or if it’s chilly, or you prefer something indoors you can have breakfast set up for you in the intimate private dining area right outside your suite door. The dining area seats four and can also be set up for lunch or dinner.

If you are a visitor to the Mother City, then the butler service is a real plus, the friendly team really will endeavour to help you in any way possible, from having your boots polished to unpacking your luggage, arranging a car to take you to a gallery or even just suggest tourist hot spots that you shouldn’t miss. No task is too small. The Manor House offers guests a truly personalised, friendly and unobtrusive service. If you are a newcomer to the area and are after privacy and a base from which to explore the city that removes you from the touristy hustle, this is definitely it.

The Manor House offers guests a truly personalised, friendly and unobtrusive service. If you are a newcomer to the area and are after privacy and a base from which to explore the city that removes you from the touristy hustle, this is definitely it.

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The One&Only hotel group is the pinnacle of luxury. This was the intention of its creator, Sol Kerzner, when the group was originally conceptualised and, over the years, they have extended their reach around the world with properties in some of the world’s most magical destinations.

So, what exactly constitutes as luxury when you think of a hotel? Is it the beautiful finishings and facilities? The location, amenities and service? Well, it’s all of those things but also so much more. It’s the luxury of space and of privacy, of having every need anticipated. It’s also the luxury of time and the ability to completely switch off and disengage. That is true luxury and that is exactly what you’ll find at One&Only Cape Town resort.

Arrival at One&Only Cape Town is an orchestrated affair and it needs to be with plenty of guests checking in daily. You pull up under the portico where someone immediately greets you and assists with luggage, whisking your car off into the underground garage. Check in is seamless and every effort is made to keep it efficient and speedy.

Our room was very spacious and stylishly decorated with every amenity you could wish for. Small but thoughtful details like interior cupboard lighting that activates upon opening and the day’s expected weather and a personal welcome message on the TV, are nods to the One&Only experience. Our room had an amazing balcony that overlooked the island that is home to the hotel’s stunning pool area and villas and looked directly onto Table Mountain.

Once settled in, we headed off to Vista Bar and Lounge area for afternoon tea, where the kitchen team had laid on a spread of delicious sweet and savoury snacks. Quiches, mini pies, cheesecake, macarons and more were all on offer, accompanied by a selection of fragrant herbal teas. Live music is played in the lounge daily from 14h30-17h30 from different local artists and the duo playing were immensely talented. It was the perfect way to start our stay – nothing says relaxation and indulgence to me like sitting back and relaxing with tea and cake.

At Vista Bar we also met Phetogo Sefanyetso, bar manager and cocktail conjurer extraordinaire. Phetogo introduced us to several of the newly created cocktails soon to be appearing on the Vista Bar menu. A favourite was definitely the The Clifton – grapefruit oil is squeezed fresh from the fruit rind and adds a citrusy note to the MCC base. It is served in the most beautiful rose gold pineapple cup that feels decidedly tropical. After several delicious cocktails and an impromptu mixology lesson, we retired to our room to relax before dinner.

One&Only Cape Town has three main restaurants – Isola, located on the island, serves breakfast and light meals to those enjoying the pool area. Nobu offers a Nikkei-inspired menu and Reuben’s offers more locally inspired flavours. For dinner, we enjoyed a 5-course menu paired with wine. Sommelier, Luvo Ntezo, took us through a selection of delicious local wine with his own entertaining anecdotes about each one.

Standouts on the menu were the octopus and springbok courses. The Octopus Carpaccio not only looks striking on the plate but also tasted incredible; served with crispy garlic squid and a lemon gel, it was packed with flavour and was one of those dishes that you just don’t want to end. The Peppered Springbok Steak was beautifully tender and was complemented by the richness of pancetta and sweetness from rooibos poached pear. Our dinner was intimate and we were very well taken care of by the team.

After a wonderful night’s sleep and waking up to another beautiful Mother City morning, we made our way down to Reuben’s for breakfast. It is also a lavish affair with a buffet packed with choices from freshly baked pastries to a full complement of cold and hot breakfast options. It was also good to see a range of gluten-free options including chia seed cups, yoghurts and granolas. There is also a really extensive and brand new à la carte breakfast menu to choose from and great coffee to get your day started.

Post breakfast we headed to One&Only Cape Town’s onsite spa and treatment facility. The spa is an extension of the luxury of the hotel and offers a full range of treatments, as well as private pools, steam and sauna rooms, an ice fountain and massage pools. We were booked in for a couples massage and our therapists Melinda Golden and Cece Makanda  took the utmost care of us.

We were cocooned warmly in the double treatment room where both therapists ensured that we relaxed and comfortable. Every element of the treatment was really superlative from the warmth of the heated beds, to the choice of oil and the actual massage itself. After the treatment, we were guided to a relaxation room where snacks and drinks are offered. What we really loved here is  that the food and drinks are divided into Detox and Indulge, so, if you’re trying to be healthy you can choose from herbal tea, fruit skewers and mini salads, whereas if you are enjoying some much needed time off and indulgence, you can sip on bubbly and enjoy a chocolate truffle or two.

There are plenty of incredible luxury hotels to stay at and it can be hard to differentiate experiences, however, one area that One&Only Cape Town really excels at is service. At every turn the team were a step ahead of us; we were greeted, often by name, wherever we went and no request was too difficult. The service is extremely personal and despite the fact that you are staying in a big hotel, you never once feel as though you’re just another guest. Going above and beyond the call of duty is a mantra that may sound clichéd for the service industry but there is no doubt that it is what sets apart the really good from the truly great.

Leaving the warm embrace of the One&Only Cape Town can be jarring but all good things must come to an end. All the more reason to book in for your next break right away though. The team almost seem to be able to anticipate what you’ll need before you’ve even thought of it and they work together, often unseen, to ensure that guests have an incredible stay without having to think too much about it. And after all, isn’t a luxury break away meant to be exactly that?

SA-residents book in for One&Only Cape Town’s locals only offer ‘The One Escape’. Discounted room rate plus complimentary breakfast per night sharing. T&Cs apply. 

Enjoy a winter warmer menu in Reuben’s. A delectable three-course winter menu is available in Reuben’s from 4 June at a cost of R295 per person. It’s the perfect winter date night idea! Email to make a booking.

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Capetonians will be familiar with the iconic Cape Sun Hotel on lower Strand Street, which has been a part of the landscape since 1982. The building is characterised by its lifts which operate on the outside of the building and can be seen whizzing up and down the building’s exterior.

As one of the long-standing matriarchs of the travel scene in Cape Town, it boasts one of the most central and convenient locations in town and with that, incredible views over and around the city. From our room on the 32nd floor, a panoramic view of the whole of Table Mountain and the city bowl was ours to enjoy. It’s a dizzying height to be above the city, but gives you a real bird’s eye view of the cityscape below and off into the horizon as far as the eye can see.

A complimentary bottle of Shiraz in our room was the perfect excuse to sample room service fare, so we ordered a basket of Cape Malay treats that included samosas, spring rolls and chicken strips. All were golden, crispy and freshly fried. The combo was an ideal way to watch the sun set over the city.

The hotel has recently undergone a refurbishment and has been upgraded with several new facilities to accommodate both leisure and business travellers. Our suite, which was part of the executive rooms, was functionally furnished with modern amenities and everything that one would need. The addition of an oversized, throne-style chair was ideal to curl up on with a good book. The room really needs very little adornment with the view providing a sweeping backdrop, made even more beautiful as the sun sets and the twinkling lights of the city come to life.

Dinner is served onsite at Riempies restaurant, which is Cape Dutch inspired, with Malay influences and offers visiting tour groups and travellers a gimpse into delicious Cape-style cuisine. On the evening we visited a buffet was on offer and was sumptuous, in true Tsogo Sun style. We enjoyed beautifully roasted and succulent beef from the carvery, as well as a plethora of salads, hot sides and other options such as freshly made stir-fry, pastas and more.

After a good night’s sleep high above the sights and sounds of the city, we enjoyed yet another signature hotel buffet for breakfast. Again a huge spread is put on, as only a big hotel group can, with every breakfast item one could possibly desire. Homemade yoghurt drinks, freshly baked muffins, pastries and scones, cereals, eggs, fruit and even pancakes. All served up by friendly hotel staff and accompanied by hot cappuccinos, lattes and teas.

For tourists heading out for a day of sightseeing, the Tsogo Sun Cape Sun is perfectly placed and offers everything the savvy traveller would need. The hotel is also adept at hosting large functions, groups and conferences with ease and there is always a presence of staff and management evident, ensuring that everything runs just right. And from a team as successful as Tsogo Sun, we would expect nothing less.

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Franschhoek is a multi-faceted town with so much to explore, and a centralised base is the ideal place to do that from. Franschhoek Boutique Hotel is perfectly placed – almost exactly midway up the main road, yet it remains a peaceful oasis away from the bustling town centre.
The six-roomed hotel is almost apartment-like in its set up, which gives it a home-away-from-home feel.

The rooms are individually decorated with tasteful furnishings that shy away from the staid, and are instead contemporary and vibrant.

Each has its own personality and has been designed to a theme; the room we stayed in entitled “Palm” was a cocoon of calm. Art Deco palm frond wallpaper (reminiscent of Hinson’s ‘Martinique’, which has iconically adorned the walls of the Beverly Hills Hotel for years) covers the bathroom walls.The tropical design is completed with rich textiles in copper tones and other stylish finishings

Despite it being a cold winter’s night, the decor lent a feeling of tropical warmth that was totally welcome. The citrusy, floral aroma of neroli (from the amazing Geodesis oil diffuser) gave the room a gorgeously inviting scent that completed the feel. If you’ve had a busy day of sightseeing you can enjoy a power shower or draw a hot bath in the free-standing bathtub and have a luxurious and well-deserved soak.

Each room has a Juliette balcony which opens up to views over the Franschhoek mountain range. If the weather is a little cold, as it was when we visited, then light the internal fireplace which not only brings warmth but a lovely ambiance too.

Rooms have a mini-bar and coffee-making facilities, and as you would expect from any Franschhoek establishment worth its weight, a fantastic selection of local wines in the room as well.

Breakfast is served in the lounge area downstairs when it’s cooler and spills out onto the internal courtyard during warmer months. On offer is a selection of cereals, fruit and pastries, as well as a hot menu. It wouldn’t be right to visit Franschhoek and not have a croissant, and ours were golden, flaky and buttery. In fact so delicious, my partner had two! We also enjoyed a hot course of eggs Benedict with local salmon trout, as well as a fry-up of crispy farm bacon, sausage, herbed rosti and perfectly poached eggs. Rounded off with a locally roasted Terbadore cappuccino, it was definitely the right way to start the day.

FBH is conveniently located almost on the doorstep of where the Franschhoek Wine Tram boards, so after breakfast you can make your way out for a day of wine tasting in the area. If you’re not quite ready to get into wine at that time, all the boutiques and galleries of Huguenot Road are literally only steps away. On Saturday mornings the Franschhoek town market is also just a short walk away. The hotel also offers undercover parking, which in the busy town can be elusive, so you can leave your wheels behind and set out on foot.

Hotel Manager Llewellyn is a warm and welcoming face and he and his team ensure every guest enjoys a wonderful stay in town. There is a reason Frasnchhoek is one of my favourite places to visit – it’s the comfortable, understated luxury of a place like FBH, complemented by warm, friendly service that make it the complete package.

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If you travel regularly for work you will know that it can be a tiresome and tedious exercise, taking you out of your routine and away from your personal environment. At The Capital Hotel Group, the idea is ensure that your travel time is pleasant and efficient, while not compromising on comfort or luxury.

The recently opened Capital Mirage, De Waterkant has all the hallmarks of the Capital Hotel Group portfolio – excellent centralised location, fully kitted out apartment-style suites and enough refinement and luxury to feel comfortable away from home. Ideally positioned on Chiappini  Street, it is a mere stone’s throw (read short Uber drive) from most CBD businesses and attractions, and walking distance from trendy Bree Street. The contemporary apartment-style hotel is set up in a way that any travelling business person will appreciate, especially those on longer stays, where touristy hotel features can be wearing. But don’t expect a total no-frills stay, the Capital Mirage has managed to find the ultimate sweet spot, ensuring that you have everything you need whether you are overnighting or on an extended stay.

The hotel is divided into various suites and apartments in varying sizes. All are serviced, self-catering style units with kitchenettes that are equipped with a stove, oven and washing machine and tumble dryer. The rooms are spacious and stylishly furnished in tones of grey and silver; the overall feeling is slick and contemporary. A great deal of thought has gone into equipping the suites with all the necessary amenities a traveler would want – from a desk to work at, complete with USB port and easily accessible plugs, to safes that have built in ports to charge an iPad, laptop or smartphone while stowed away. Suites also feature docking station radios, LED TVs with DSTV, uncapped high speed Wi-Fi, Nespresso machines, and, if you deem to take a break from working, incredible views over the Mother City.

Something that is always important to travellers on a fitness scheme is the availability of a gym; the Capital Mirage has one onsite and gym clothes as well as other items can be laundered at no cost.

The hotel is surrounded by a selection of restaurants and coffee shops and the Cattle Baron specifically offers deliver in-room dining. For a more sophisticated experience, guests can go down to the Gin and Snooker lounge to chill, or up to the Vue bar on the top floor. Not dubbed the sky bar for no reason, this stunning bar and restaurant with outside pool and deck is the perfect place to unwind and the views will take your breath away. On one side an uninterrupted view of Table Mountain and Signal Hill, and the other overlooks the V&A Waterfront, the Wheel of Excellence and the harbour, which twinkle endlessly once the sun sets. Breakfast is served from this same bar area in the morning and the views are equally captivating as the sun rises over the city.


The Capital Mirage is the place to go if you want an unobtrusive stay in an environment that is well-equipped, modern and where staff understand the need for efficiency. As a modern-day traveller, even if not for business, the Capital Mirage makes an excellent choice if you want to be removed from the touristy fluff. This is particularly useful if you intend to be in the city for a while – being in a space that operates as a full-service hotel, as well as offering self-catering options, gives the guest options as well as a little more control. The functional, no frills approach also means that costs are kept competitive.

The Capital Hotel Group currently has one property in Cape Town, six in Gauteng with eleven others scheduled to open between now and 2018. As a traveller it makes complete sense to book into a hotel group such as this repeatedly, as you are guaranteed consistency and excellence from stay to stay. These apartment-stype hotels that offer comfort and style, along with centralised locations and modern conveniences, look set to become the way to travel whether for business or pleasure. 

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Paarl is one of those unassuming places that you have to explore in order to get to know properly. It is full of tucked away places that you would never know are there without properly seeking them out, and Cascade Country Manor is one such spot.

Hidden up a short dirt road on the Nederburg side of Paarl is this luxurious country-style manor – close enough to not feel as though you are bundu-bashing, but further enough from the town to feel as though you have escaped to a private slice of paradise. The grand manor house sits at the top of immaculate rolling green lawns – the kind the make you want to tuck and roll down the hill like a kid. The grass embankment is fronted by a forest that leads up into the hills and meets with the mountains behind. The greenery of the flora and blue of the clear Paarl sky come together to form a spectacular view from the hotel patio, and equally, looking back up at the manor from the gardens below is quite beautiful.

Some of the rooms at Cascade Country Manor are set within the manor house itself, while others are across the courtyard in a separate building that also houses the full service spa and indoor spa swimming pool. Our room, next door to the spa, was luxuriously appointed with contemporary features and an extremely comfortable king size bed. Other features included a stunning bathroom with dual basins a power shower, separate bath, stocked mini bar and crystal chandeliers, which add a touch of luxury and sparkle.

Upon arrival General Manager Barry suggested a stroll to the waterfall before sunset, which proved to be an excellent idea. The cascading waterfall (yes, the inspiration behind the name) is just a short way from the rooms through a section of the forest. It is an idyllic little oasis, ideal for a moment of reflection, or even a place to sit back and read a book if you can catch a little afternoon sun. The natural canopy of the forest and the backdrop of the waterfall make this the perfect spot for an intimate wedding ceremony.


Cascade Manor prides itself on unpretentious luxury, and as such, also provides a well-equipped play area for children complete with jungle gym, trampoline, and if you’re lucky, a visit from the friendly manor house cat. The lawns themselves are so vast that kids will tire running outdoors and enjoying the fresh country air. While we visited during winter and swimming outdoors was not an option, there is a beautiful pool area, which I would imagine, in summer, is a hive of activity.

As the sun set over the valley we enjoyed a bottle of local Pinotage and olives from the Buffet Olive farm conveniently located right next door. The olives feature as snacks with sunset drinks, but also in the exceptional breads baked fresh by the kitchen daily. Breads are served with olive oil that has been pressed from olives grown in the grounds of the manor estate. We were happy to see that the menu also included local craft beers from the area, which have been conspicuous in the absence from other establishments nearby. The manor house has a restaurant onsite and a 3-course set menu is prepared daily. Guests have the option of dining in, or of dining at any number of the restaurants in the local Paarl surrounds. Staff members are a dedicated group of people who welcome guests with quiet unobtrusiveness – while always present, they are never hovering. 
Cascade Manor is part of the Cape Country Routes group, whose hallmarks are character, charm and romance and it readily ticks all of these boxes. It is placed well to be a base to discover the rest of the Winelands, starting with the iconic Nederburg Estate just across the way. Guests can spend the day discovering the area and then can return back to their rooms to get a peaceful night’s rest. The next morning, weather permitting, a breakfast spread including a la carte hot options are laid out on the patio, with surely one of the best views in the area. Even on a cold winter’s morning, heater, blankets and pots of warm coffee with get you out into the cool Winelands air, which you will no doubt find revitalising. And after all, isn’t that what a country getaway is all about.

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If you are looking for a complete Winelands getaway, we recommend you book to stay the Night at Spier Wine Farm in Stellenbosch. Spier offers the complete package – world class wine, food and entertainment to suit every taste and activity level. From those looking to simply kick back and relax, to those wanting to immerse and learn something new.

The accommodation at Spier is unique in that it is set out as a mini village. It is interlinked with stone pathways and set amongst the lush greenery of the farm. We were met with a complimentary glass of wine at reception and then whisked away to our suite by golf cart.

There are a number of different accommodation options at Spier starting with simpler Signature rooms and progressing to stunning luxury in the Suites. The Signature rooms include upstairs options, as well as Garden Terrace rooms downstairs. There are also river facing Riverside Rooms, also with upstairs and downstairs terraced options. For something really special however, book one of the gorgeously luxurious suites. The suite we stayed in looked out over the Eerste River, which runs through the property. The sound of the water bubbling peacefully and birds nesting in the late afternoon brings a tranquillity that you simply don’t find in the city.
The rooms at Spier are tastefully decorated; there is a very subtle African feel, which is conveyed with beautifully textured materials and prints. Our room was very spacious; comfortable enough to feel right at home, but also luxurious enough to feel thoroughly spoilt. Outside on the large ‘stoep’ was a beautiful wooden daybed – the perfect place to put your feet up with a good book and a glass of Pinotage. With the Helderberg Mountains framed in the distance, it’s makes for a blissful and beautiful escape.

One of the defining factors about the Spier Hotel is its commitment to operating in the most eco-conscious way possible. Changes like switching to water wise showerheads and energy efficient mini bars have been made, paving the way to a more sustainable operation.

The hotel also makes use of Beautiful Earth toiletries, which are ethically made with pure, natural ingredients. Scented with fresh grapefruit and rosemary, they are an absolute treat to use.

Spier is an ideal place to holiday as both a couple or as a family. Couples can enjoy spa treatments at the Camelot Spa, or wander down to the wine tasting room to enjoy one of the specialty options like the charcuterie or chocolate pairing. There is also a dedicated children’s playroom, along with a full programme of supervised entertainment. For city children this is a wonderful opportunity to experience a slice of ‘farm life’ with walks around the grounds and related activities. We opted to walk down to the tasting room and take the guided audio tour. This narration, from a slave woman’s perspective, tells of the early days of winemaking in the Cape and is both beautiful and hauntingly vivid at the same time.

After a wonderfully peaceful night’s rest, we headed to the restaurant for an eye-popping breakfast spread – everything from continental options to a full fry up. One of the highlights of the spread must be the fluffy scones with berry compote and thick cream – a breakfast treat that is incredibly indulgent, but so hard to resist.

To walk off all the breakfast calories, we headed down to the craft market for a spot of shopping. On a clear morning, like the one we experienced, the lake alongside the market is like quicksilver and perfectly mirrors the surrounding Helderberg mountains. The craft market showcases local talent with an assortment of beaded handiwork, home décor, jewellery and more.

If shopping is not your idea of fun, there are plenty of other activities to keep you busy. Visit the Eagle Encounters rehabilitation centre or pop by Eight Deli and pick up a picnic. Spier is a working wine farm, so to experience a piece of this for yourself, take a stroll over the bridge and explore the organic vines or view the free roaming cattle and chickens. For something entirely simpler, don’t miss the life-size picture frame suspended from a tree on the decking near the deli. With the lake and mountains framed in the background, you wont be able to help to posing for a selfie, which will be a fabulous memento of your stay at Spier.

spier.co.za

I love all things French, so a trip to this little gem of a wine farm on the outskirts of Stellenbosch was such a treat. Although arriving on a cool winters afternoon a few weeks ago, the sky was crystal clear and the sun was just beginning to set behind the trees, already bare from the winter cold. It still made for a dramatic entrance.

L’Avenir, which means ‘the future in French’, is located on the R44 Stellenbosch and exudes a wonderfully charming French atmosphere, intermingled with real South African hospitality. The farm is owned by a French wine company and this relationship is brought in across the style, feel and even the name and labels of some of the wine. Its no wonder that I enjoyed it so much as it combines the best of two of my favorite worlds.

The rooms are comfortable and clean with all the amenities needed. A wonderful saving grace on a cold winters evening is the under floor heating in the bathroom, which makes the world of difference to cold toes.

On the evening we visited, L’Avenir was the venue for one of Chef Matt Manning’s One Ingredient dinners, with olive oil the ingredient being showcased. We enjoyed a fabulous 3-course dinner, with each course highlighting local Willow Creek Olive Oils.

To whet the appetite, we enjoyed a canapé of  pea and ham risotto ball,  served with a truffle infused olive oil mousseline. The first thing that struck me was that they were served hot, which makes such a change from most canapés! Often by the time the reach you, having been carried on a tray to lots of guests, they are lukewarm at best. The balls were crispy, golden and totally yum! Paired with a glass of L’Avenir bubbles, it really was the perfect way to start the evening.

The starter was an angelfish dish; pan-fried with baked potato gnocchi, wild mushrooms, white bean purée and coriander oil emulsion – a dish I found utterly delicious. Following this was a slow cooked lamb with Parmesan olive oil infused soft polenta, dried rosa tomatoes, basil gel, cumin roasted aubergine puree, olive oil and saffron lamb jus. For dessert we finished with blood orange olive oil cake, apricot caramel, honeycomb and burnt honey custard. All in all the menu was superb and paired beautifully with estate wines. Winemaker Dirk Coetzee took us through each wine pairing and spoke with both passion and knowledge about the estate’s boutique offerings.

We were taken down to the Pinotage Lounge, a stunning purpose-built room which showcases the farms lineage of this award-winning and uniquely South African varietal. We were privy to the opening of a beautiful vintage bottle of Pinotage which we sipped on while admiring the history of this wine.

Thoroughly full and sated we thought we could not fit in another bite, but somehow still managed to find space to enjoy some gorgeous local cheeses around the fireplace.

After a wonderful nights rest we woke up to a glorious winelands morning and enjoyed a homecooked farm breakfast. The team at L’Avenir know how to look after their guests and the warm, cosy setting of the wine tasting room, which plays host to the One Ingredient dinners, is really tough to match.

L’Avenir Wine Estate, R44 Klapmuts Rd, Stellenbosch | info@lavenir.co.za | lavenirestate.co.za

When the opportunity came to travel to Botswana in December 2014, I jumped at the chance to experience this beautiful piece of Africa, which is quite literally on our doorstep. Living in Cape Town and being constantly surrounded by an environment that stretches from urban to industrial, I inevitably went to Botswana with certain preconceptions. What I found is that most of these turned out to be incorrect, and in some cases, certainly naïve!

The first of many flawed assumptions was that all of the roads that appeared on my GPS were nicely tarred with convenience shops around every corner… we found out pretty quickly that this was not the case. Our journey was certainly adventurous and after 2200 km of rustic roads, a burst tyre and two busted shocks, we finally arrived in Maun, Botswana.

From Maun, we moved on to the Selinda Reserve in Northern Botswana where concession managers, Pete and Sharon Unwin, graciously hosted us. Selinda Camp is situated in a unique position that overlooks the Selinda Spillway, linking eventually to the Okavango Delta; it is the perfect spot to relax and to watch wildlife in its natural habitat. We also experienced the ultra luxurious Dhow Suites at Zarafa Camp; this incredible private tented camp is housed under one of the largest tents in Africa, measuring 2,260 sq. feet. It really is the last word in luxury and an unforgettable experience.

We were wined and dined and taken on leisurely game drives within the Selinda Reserve, viewing the wildlife and experiencing the very best of Botswana’s wilderness.

Thinking back on the experience, I was overwhelmed by everything that I saw. Everywhere I looked life was just bursting at the seams. The abundance of game, the luxury of the lodges and the encompassing wilderness took me on a journey that has left a lasting impact.

Travelling beyond the borders of South Africa always creates a sense of dislocation, yet in Botswana I felt more connected to the natural world than I had ever felt before.

Visually speaking, the image I captured of a composition of three giraffes is my favourite. The symmetry of these animals was in sharp contrast to their often awkward and peculiar bearing. The warm colours of the giraffes contrasted wonderfully with the greens, and blues in the background.

Visiting Botswana changed my mindset completely. I would encourage everyone to go and ‘knock on the door of our neighbours’ – you’ll receive a very warm welcome!

When I first visited the Cape as a young girl, two things stuck out for me – firstly the gabled Cape Dutch architecture, which was unfamiliar to me coming from Durbs, and secondly the scrubby countryside, so different from the rolling hills of KZN. I fell instantly love with the tough looking flora of the Cape and its hardy spirit is something that has always stayed with me.

The vastness of Grootbos Private Nature Reserve relates not only to its size, but also to its beauty. The reserve covers over 2800 hectares of land perched atop a sloping mountainside, overlooking a view of the Atlantic Ocean’s Walker Bay that is unforgettable. Here, where hectares of land is carefully conserved, it is as though the plants sense that they have been given the opportunity to really shine.

The landscape, which can seem so enduring, shows both a vulnerability and splendour simultaneously. Restios sway in the breeze, Ericas dangle heavy with blooms and Proteas flourish under the African sun.

Grootbos is divided into two lodges – Garden Lodge and Forrest Lodge, which are both tucked into the greenery. Garden Lodge has consistently won South Africa’s top travel award for Best Family Holiday and it’s easy to see why. It has a fully equipped games room, pool area and, most importantly, an au pair service to mind your children for the duration of your stay. You can rest assured that your kids will not spend their entire holiday watching TV, as the reserve has a farm area which is home to pigs, ponies, bunnies and horses. Kids are entertained outdoors, down at the beach or even in the kitchen in mini chefs whites, learning a culinary trick or two.
Forrest Lodge is the last word in luxury – a paradise for honeymooners, couples and well-seasoned travellers alike. The entrance will simply take your breath away, with its spectacular view over the bay.  On arrival guests are assigned a host/hostess for the duration of their stay.  Your host will guide and plan activities to ensure you get the most out of your stay. Our hostess Jo Anne was bubbly, full of knowledge and ran through all the activities on offer such as guided tours and horseback trails.
From there we made our way to our beautifully decorated lodge to change before dinner. Our four-poster, netted bed looked out over the very same Walker Bay view, as did the bathroom and sitting room.

The smart design allows guests to enjoy the view over the estate from wherever you are in the suite. We arrived in a blustering wind, so the pre-warmed under floor heating and powerful shower were welcome.

Chef Benjamin Conradie and his team prepared our five-course set menu. The food was meticulously plated and made use of ingredients produced on the reserve. The Caesar salad enjoyed by my partner as a starter was quite otherworldly – I don’t know how else to explain it. Possibly in part due to the specially cured bacon, which added a rich smokiness. Whatever it was, it was incredible – it would have been quite easy to follow on with another four plates of just that.

The rest of the courses followed – venison for me, with my partner enjoying fillet steak, both perfectly tender and juicy. We enjoyed delicate amuse bouche palate cleansers and finished off with a decadent chocolate molten cake for me, and a homemade fynbos-honey ice cream for my partner. A wonderful meal, complemented by local wines.

My partner’s way of judging any hotel is based on its breakfast. A meal which can quite easily be thrown together, however if shown some finesse can win the seal of approval. Fresh fruits, crispy pastries, granola, yoghurts, cheeses and more – and this all before the cooked option.
After breakfast we were met by our dedicated guide Jo, who invited us to hop into her Land Rover, Bulbous, for a drive through the estate. Grootbos is the vision of owner Michael Lutzeyer, a South-African born businessman who gave up life in the city to develop the reserve – slowly but surely buying the plots around the original site and expanding the borders of the reserve. Michael is passionate about conservation and the diversity of our local eco-systems. Our tour across the site revealed just how deep that passion runs.

Our first stop was the Grootbos nursery. Here 10 applicants, selected from nearby towns, go through an intensive training program covering life skills like learning to drive, as well as a recognised landscaping qualification. Graduates are usually snapped up by local businesses in the area, or go on to work on the estate.

There is also a self-sustaining garden project which cultivates the vegetables and herbs used in the restaurant, as well as a coop of chickens for freshly laid free-range eggs and pigs which feed on the kitchen waste. Each aspect of these projects has been designed to empower and upskill locals and to enable them to make a better life for themselves.
As we bump along on our Landy tour, Jo points out the private villa (which has hosted the likes of Brangelina and Charlize) and explains the various types of fynbos and flora with a fervent passion. Over 750 species grow within the borders of the reserve and conserving this precious eco-system is imperative.

To fully capture the qualities of Grootbos one would need to pen a novel. What really shone through in every inch of this experience is the tremendous amount of thought which has gone into it. The planning that has gone into the reserve is staggering, and the attention to detail is second to none. It’s the small things that make the difference, and at Grootbos there were many: the fleece ‘blanket dress’ as I termed it, which we were given just before our Landy drive to keep warm. Being greeted by name in the parking lot before we had even left our car. Our hostess popping by during dinner to confirm the following morning’s activities. The Milkwood sapling gift in our suite, which can been planted onsite or taken home. The map and pass to a gorgeous beach alcove for premium whale watching. The personal time our guide gave to just us and the smiling friendly faces of each staff member we encountered, for whom nothing was too much trouble. Each of these small acts is the result of the thought put into how to make Grootbos the perfect getaway, and the thoughts are translated into actions that resonate.

From the moment we arrived we felt as though we had been let in on a secret – the magic of Grootbos, the beauty of the Cape and the sense of having experienced something unique. It genuinely made us fall in love with the area all over again.

grootbos.co.za

Six thousand people have been thirstily sitting at wooden tables in the huge Schottehamel tent since 10a.m., waiting for noon when Munich’s mayor taps open the first wooden beer keg with a mallet. Then the cry of “O’zapft is!” goes up, signalling the start of the famous Munich Oktoberfest – and the beer sales.  Originating in 1810 to commemorate the marriage of King Ludwig I of Bavaria, the Oktoberfest is now one of the world’s best-loved festivals, attracting well over 6 million visitors per year. Waitresses and waiters dressed in traditional dirndls and lederhosen expertly carry up to twelve 1-litre beer mugs and deposit them with a flourish at the long shared tables, where Bavarians in traditional dress mix with tourists from around the world.  Choose from 14 huge tents or festhalle at the Wies’n (fairgrounds).  Each has a different atmosphere, ranging from the traditional Schottenhamel, to the Ochsenbraterei where whole oxen are spit-roasted, to the young and funky Hippodrom.  All serve lager-style beers specially brewed for the Oktoberfest and supplied by six Munich breweries, and the smaller Weinzelt tent serves a good selection of German wines.  Each tent has an extensive menu of traditional Oktoberfest food – do not miss the addictive Brathendl (butter-basted roast chicken stuffed with parsley), slowly roasted on massive rotisseries in every tent.  Other favourites include Schweinhaxn (knuckle of pork), Steckerlfisch (grilled whole fish on a stick), Weisswurst (mild veal sausage), and kaiserschmarr’n (torn pancakes studded with raisins).

Despite its name, the Oktoberfest runs for 16 days at the end of September each year, ending on the first Sunday in October.  Weekends are much fuller and more festive then weekdays, but it can be harder to get a table.  All hotels increase their prices, but you may get better deals and availability for a mid-week stay. Book as early as possible!  Flights and accommodation get more expensive as the Fest approaches.  Public transport is safe and excellent, so a hotel a little further from the Wies’n is not a problem.  Entry into the Oktoberfest is free and tables in the tents can be reserved in the tents, but this requires a deposit paid to the tent’s owner, and many reserve a percentage of their tables for repeat customers who have booked with them previously. It is, however, possible to book a hotel and tent package through various tour companies who pre-book tables to sell on to clients. If you have no table booked, arrive at the tents at least 90 minutes before opening on weekends, and be prepared to queue and scrum your way in, otherwise you will not get a seat – and if you aren’t seated, you aren’t served. All tables are shared, so don’t be afraid to ask if a space is free. You are not allowed to order from the bar so be friendly to your waiter/waitress and tip them with each round if you want to make sure they keep on serving you promptly!

Remember that there are many things to do in the Wies’n outside the tents too. Adjoining the area where the 14 tents are situated is one of Europe’s largest fairgrounds, a playground for adults and children alike with rides, rollercoasters, a giant ferris wheel, haunted castles, and dodgem cars. Between rides you can shop up a storm for traditional gingerbread hearts, bratwurst rolls, chocolate coated fruits and giant pretzels. And do be sure to collect some souvenirs too – T-shirts in every shape and size, huge traditional ceramic beer mugs with pewter lids and a mind-boggling array of silly hats (de rigeur in the tents!). Away from the Wies’n, Munich also has plenty to offer. If you cannot get into the beer tents, try visiting: Augustiner restaurant (a beer hall and restaurant in a beautiful historic setting in town, serving excellent traditional food in generous portions) or the famous Hofbräu Haus (probably Munich’s best-known and very festive traditional beer hall with beautiful vaulted ceilings). For lovely outdoor beer gardens, visit the  Augustinerkeller with its tables set in dappled sunlight in a garden setting; the ChinesischerTurm (set in the Englischer Garten park with a huge seating area arranged around a pagoda); or the Seehaus set on a lake in the same park. Don’t forget to pay a visit to the Viktualienmarkt, an open-air food market that’s a feast for the senses.

THE VILLAGES

The south of France is one of those places that makes people sigh wistfully at the mere mention of the name, conjuring up visions of white pebble beaches, rocky coves lined with pine trees, and the aquamarine Mediterranean sea.  Most tourists fly into Nice airport and spend much of their time hugging the coast, exploring places like Cannes, Antibes or Marseilles but if you are willing to get off your sun-lounger for a while and head inland to the Vaucluse region in northern Provence, you will find that there is far more to love about the area than beaches.  The Vaucluse is home to an astonishing array of fine food and wine, as well as breathtakingly beautiful villages – here are some of my favourites:

Menèrbes is the picturesque village where Peter Mayle’s A Year in Provence was written. Narrow cobbled streets are lined with tiny artisan shops and impossibly beautiful weathered ochre walls are punctuated with pale blue and green shutters. After a wander through the lower village, walk to the 17th century former mayor’s office, now the Maison de le Truffe et du Vin for a tasting of local wine and a truffle-tastic lunch with a view.

Coustellet was the first village in the region to establish a weekly farmers’ market which now takes place every Sunday morning from April to December. Approximately 80 producers sell their wares here, and all of the produce must be grown/produced within a tight radius of Coustellet and sold by the producers themselves. Stock up on fresh produce, fish, herbs, spices, cheese, organic breads, rotisserie chickens, local fruit juices, olives and wines.

Rousillon is another beautiful village which has the unique advantage of being built on a spectacular red cliff made from one of the largest natural ochre deposits in the world.  Take a walk along the Sentier des Ocres (a walking trail resembling a mini Grand Canyon) to appreciate the beauty of the ochre cliffs, or visit the Conservatoire des Ochres to learn about the area’s rich history.

COOKING COURSES

One of the main attractions of the Vaucluse is, of course, the food.  While there are many excellent restaurants throughout the region, there are also various cooking courses available to suit every taste and budget – here are two which I tried.

The cooking packages offered by Edouard Loubet, the chef and owner at Bastide de Capelongue, are ideal for those wanting to see behind the scenes in a Michelin-starred French kitchen.  This hotel and Loubet’s eponymous 2 Michelin-starred restaurant are situated in Bonnieux in a beautifully restored, stone farmhouse, set among fields of lavender and a huge kitchen garden.  Start the day with coffee and a croissant before joining the kitchen team for a tour of the kitchen garden, learning about, and picking, the herbs you’ll be cooking with later. From there, you return to the kitchen where you will assist with preparing your own gourmet lunch, under the chef’s supervision, learning tips and tricks as you go. The experience finishes with drinks, canapés and a 5 course lunch which you helped to prepare.

For a totally different experience, try the wild food cooking course at Les Aventurières de Goût in Brantes, a tiny village of less that 100 residents, perched on the edge of a valley in the shadow of Mont Ventoux. Here you will meet Odile for a 3-hour workshop, starting with a walk through the village and the surrounding countryside.  Depending on the season, you will learn about the edible plants and flowers and get to work picking ingredients for your lunch. Back in Odile’s rustic kitchen, she will teach you how to turn these into a vegetarian feast, to be enjoyed with a glass of wine on her sunny terrace.

A VINEYARD CYCLE TOUR

Of course, mankind cannot live on fine food alone, and the Vaucluse is a great place to visit if you are interested in fine wine.  Within its borders, the Vaucluse encompasses apellations such as AOC Ventoux, AOC Luberon, Côtes du Rhone and, most famously, AOC Châteauneuf-du-Pape. One of the best ways to explore both the wines and the surrounding countryside is to take an electric bike tour around the vineyards of the Terraventoux cellar.  Gabriel will greet you at the cellar in Mormoiron, supply the bicycles (or a lift in his car if you choose not to cycle!) and a map, and arrange to meet you at three designated points.  From there, you are free to cycle at your own pace to the meeting points, taking in the scenery of alternating vineyards and cherry orchards.

The first meeting point is at an ancient, stone drinking fountain in a picturesque village, where you taste one of the Terraventoux white wines, accompanied by local goat’s cheese crostini.  Gabriel not only provides the chilled wine and snacks, but also some local history and some information on the wine that you are drinking. From there, you set off for the second meeting point: an intriguing, hidden, ochre quarry that opens up like a magical, hidden world from an unpromising, flat parking area.  Here, you can enjoy the Terraventoux rosé wine while walking between 15m high cliffs ranging from salmon pink to crimson. The final meeting point is a secluded table in a vineyard, where a lunch basket awaits you, filled with fresh baguettes, fruit, paté and a bottle of Terraventoux red wine. It truly is the perfect way to experience the vineyards of the Vaucluse.