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The Three Boutique Hotel | Cape Town
The Three Boutique Hotel is a charming mix of old and new in the leafy Orangezicht area of Cape Town. A beautiful old Cape homestead - a National Monument building - has been converted into a stylish and well-priced boutique hotel in the trendy City Bowl, within easy walking distance of several restaurants and only 5 mins drive to the city centre.
The Three fills the gap between a too-homely guest house and an impersonal hotel; it's exactly the right balance of stylish decor, 4-star facilities and friendly service. There are 15 modern rooms, which almost belie their period architecture, decorated in soft contemporary style in white and soft grey tones. Each spacious room is slightly different and has complimentary wifi, king-size beds, flatscreen satellite TV, telephone, air-conditioning/heating, tea/coffee facilities, robes and en suite bathrooms, mostly with walk-in showers, some with bath as well.
There's also a slightly large studio suite which is ideal for a family with one or two children. Some of the luxury rooms can also take an extra bed for a child or third adult.
A columned terrace tiled in traditional black and white wraps around the house leading to the swimming pool and outdoor sitting area. The rooftop deck adds another dimension for sunbathing and sunset drinks, with unparalleled views of Cape Town's three iconic mountains; Table Mountain, Lions Head and Devil's Peak, (after which The Three is named.) Inside there's a sitting area/bar with an honesty system and breakfast room.
Owned and run by Justin & Natalia Pearson and their friends Alun & Julie Jones, the service is personal and friendly with the hotel driver available for transfers to the airport, Waterfront or local restaurants, as well as personalized touring. We loved the fact that you could also easily walk to several good local restaurants as well as to the charming Gardens shopping area, only 3 mins walk away.
The Three is recommended as a modern and sophisticated Cape Town hotel with an historic heart in an attractive and trendy part of Cape Town.
3 Nights
Bed and Breakfast
Avondrood Guest House Franschhoek | Franschhoek
This picturesque guest house is just an hour’s drive from Cape Town, situated in the peaceful Winelands country also known as the Franschhoek Valley. Avondrood’s original Victorian Cape-Dutch home offers guests a beautiful peaceful stay with a rich historical feel of French Huguenot culture combined with all of the modern luxuries and amenities you desire.
If rest is what you need, stay in and enjoy the tranquil gardens at Avondrood. Private and scenic the 2000sq meter gardens surround a large pool, and outdoor breakfast veranda which boasts views of the mountains.
Inside the main house you can relish in the spacious lounge next to the grand fireplace or settle into your favourite cocktail at the fully stocked bar and watch the game.
There are eight large suites to choose from, all lavishly decorated with individual themes and character. Wake to a full breakfast with your stay, served with locally roasted coffee. We take personal care in your stay with Avondrood being a family-owned and run business – rest assured that every detail will be taken care of.
Avondrood’s experienced team of staff takes pride in every aspect of Avondrood and the superior service they provide.
2 Nights
Bed and Breakfast
Hog Hollow Country Lodge lies in its own private nature reserve with breathtaking views over the indigenous forest valleys to the Tsitsikamma Mountains, and yet only 18km from Plettenberg Bay. This is essentially a rural retreat for lovers of outstanding cuisine, warm hospitality and panoramic views. The cuisine is lavish and imaginative: sumptuous breakfasts are served alfresco on the deck, whilst dinners are convivial affairs around a communal candle-lit table. There's a variety of rooms each decorated in African style, with handcrafted furniture, king size bed, fireplace, music system, coffee/tea facilities, private wooden deck and full bathroom with bath and shower. (There are no TVs or telephones to disturb the peace.) Some are loft suites with a sitting room downstairs and bedroom and bathroom upstairs, some are all on one level. Two new suites are beautifully decorated, but do not have the views over the valley of the original rooms. Relax at the secluded pool deck with its sauna, and honesty fridges, overlooking the Matjies River gorge, or take an energetic walk to a primate sanctuary nearby.
Children are best accommodated in one of three loft suites which have a downstairs sitting room (which can accommodate two smaller children on the built-in seating which are converted into beds in the early evening). Otherwise they can also place an extra bed in their other rooms. The children's rate includes a special children's dinner at 6 or 6.30pm as they only recommend older children of nine and upwards joining the evening dinner as it is fairly long. (There would be a supplement if older children attend the main dinner). Hog Hollow offers little extra touches for children such as African story books and a bedtime CD as well as milk and gingerbread men delivered in the early evening. Babysitters are also available on request. Please note that parents with very young children should exercise caution as they have fenced decks which are not child-proof and also there are unfenced dams on the property. There are also no television in the rooms.
3 Nights
Bed and Breakfast
4 Star
Lodge
Spoken Languages: Afrikaans, English
No. Rooms: 16
Special Interests: Adventure, Beach / Coastal, Birding, Fishing, Golf, Hiking, Leisure, Nature, Relaxation, Shopping, Wildlife, Wine
Canelands is a luxurious and elegant 10 bedroom (all en-suite) beach club situated in the popular upmarket region of Salt Rock on KwaZulu Natal‘s North (Dolphin) Coast, South Africa. Set literally a step away from the beach with safe bathing offered by the many rock pools and coves that Salt Rock is renowned for, Canelands Beach Club is the ideal holiday and weekend getaway beach hotel.
Just minutes from the major shopping centres of Ballito, less than 15 minutes for Durban’s new King Shaka International Airport and less than an hours drive from Durban City, there is little wonder why Canelands Beach Club has already become an icon of quality beach accommodation to those who have discovered this gem on the beach.
Canelands caters for both leisure and business orientated guests.
Onsite conferencing facilities allows for up to 40 delegates discussing that ever important new business venture.
The Canelands Beach Club is a one-of-a-kind experience whether it is being served by beach butlers on the beach or having menus prepared daily by the chefs or be it enjoying a micro light flight or a horse ride along the coast, Canelands and it's surrounds has so much to offer.
1 Night
Bed and Breakfast
Serene Estate guest house is a contemporary retreat within the sleepy village of St Lucia. St Lucia lies on the border of the famous iSimangaliso Wetland Park with its excellent game-viewing, superb beaches at Cape Vidal and boat cruises on the lake. From here, it is also easy to visit the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve for a day on safari (only 40 minutes drive away.)
Serene Estate is ideal for lovers of modern architecture and they have strived to achieve the perfect balance between architecture and natural landscape. Serene Estate has a so-called Dutch design which is a mixture of minimalistic architecture and Nouvelles Formes with its characteristic bent lines.
The tranqul open layout of Serene Estate gives you direct access on three different levels to the rooms, lounge, breakfast room / big terrace with roof garden and fish pond. In the garden, there's a good-sized rimflow swimming pool and martini deck. From the rooftop garden you can even see the ocean beyond the sand dunes.
Luxurious Park View rooms have big windows with a view to the gardens and the Wetland park beyond. From the comfort of your room or private terrace you can see some of the wildlife like bushbuck, red duiker, monkeys, mongoose, and a variety of birds. After sunset you hear the loud call of the bush baby. Hippos can be spotted from a short distance and very occasionally, even a leopard.
Each spacious park-view suite has a comfortable sitting area and air-conditioning, ceiling fan, minibar, flat screen satellite TV, king size bed with Auping mattresses, complimentary wifi, hair dryer and coffee/tea facilities. There's also a slightly smaller Garden Room with no park view but its own large private garden. All bathrooms are luxurious, with double basins, separate toilet, bath, shower and towel heater.
Each room at Serene Estate has its own coloured Zulu accent as a decor flair. You can also enjoy the serene atmosphere of the garden and pool from the lounge, the sundecks or the martini deck in the pool. Read a book, go for a swim or just listen to the birds or watch the bushbucks in the garden and park.
2 Nights
Bed and Breakfast
Leopard Mountain Safari Lodge
Leopard Mountain is a 4 star, award winning lodge. Located high up in the wild secluded hills of the 56 000 ha Manyoni Private Game Reserve. Hosting the Big Five, Leopard Mountain offers spectacular and uninterrupted views from the lodge. Overlooking the Umsunduze River meandering below and a vast stretch of unspoiled bushland and riverine forests. An every changing panorama over the African plains...
The Lodge
The relaxing atmosphere of the main area of the lodge truly helps one to unwind… The lodge has been designed with relaxation in mind. And you will find many places where you can put your feet up and feel completely at home. The inviting facilities includes a lounge, bar and dining room.
Whether you are dining under the stars in the boma, on the main deck or in the dining room, the chef will prepare traditional South African Cuisine that promises to be impressively delectable. All the breads and pastries are home-baked in Leopard Mountains kitchen daily. And they are able to cater for private meals and special occasions too.
Accommodation at Leopard Mountain Safari Lodge
Your luxurious stone and thatch chalet is a haven of peace and tranquility. Where you can watch the sun and moon rise over the African savanna. Each chalet at Leopard Mountain is light and spacious with its own balcony, hammock and plunge pool. An en-suite bathroom, mini bar and tea and coffee facilities. The rooms have air conditioners for hot days and are equipped with large, open showers that have incredible views.
By day, lie in your hammock or bask in your plunge pool and watch eagles soar at eye level. By night drink in the magnificence of the African night sky.
The Experience
Begin with a cup of coffee and some traditional rusks before embarking on your early morning safari with your guide and encounter Africa's Big 5. Or enjoy a spot of relaxed game and bird-watching from the lodge's unique waterhole setting at mid day.
Leopard Mountains top therapists will treat you in a indulging pampering session whilst you unwind in the tranquil spa. Surrounded by sweeping bushveld views, the Africology Spa stands as one of the top health and beauty brands in South Africa which is both eco-friendly and has a holistic approach to all their treatments. Inspired by the wisdom of Africa’s traditional healers and their vibrant heritage, communities and plant life, guests can enjoy an array of natural body, skin and beauty treatments designed to rejuvenate, relax and enhance health and vitality. After your treatment, you can take a leisurely dip in your own private plunge pool and enjoy the magnificence of the surrounding beauty.
Community and Conservation
As one of the founders of the Manyoni Private Game Reserve, Leopard Mountain has chosen to support two great causes the first being the Zululand Rhino Orphanage. This is a fantastic initiative which aims at rescuing and rehabilitating baby rhino when their mothers have passed away either from poaching or natural causes. So far they have an excellent track record with a good number of reintroduction's back to the wild.
The second being the Zululand Conservation Trust which aims to support both Local Community and Conservation Initiatives. Whether it is painting a Crèche, conducting school children's awareness safaris or a conservation Fund raising Drive Leopard Mountain tries to support as much as possible.
2 Nights
Full Board Plus - Dinner, Bed, Breakfast, Lunch and Activities
5 Star
Lodge
Spoken Languages: Afrikaans, English, Zulu
No. Rooms: 9
Special Interests: Big 5, Birding, Flora, Hiking, Leisure, Nature, Relaxation, Star Gazing, Wildlife, Wine
Reilly’s Rock Hilltop Lodge is a little piece of history all by itself. It lies in the Mlilwane game reserve and is the captivating former home of conservationist Ted Reilly. Enjoying commanding views of Mlilwane’s game-studded plains, its atmosphere is one of complete peace and tranquillity. The colonial homestead has a colourful pioneer history and has been sympathetically restored with great attention to period detail.
Accommodation at Reilly’s Rock consists of six well furnished bedrooms including a charming cottage with two en suite bedrooms, a sitting room with fireplace and wraparound veranda – ideal for two couples travelling together. Reilly’s Rock Hilltop Lodge doesn’t aim to give you the latest in interior design or indeed cuisine, just simple country style bedrooms and country cooking. What it DOES give you is a real sense of Swaziland history.
Breakfast on the veranda, listening to the sounds of the birds, is a magical experience. The Mlilwane Game Reserve lies in the famous Ezulwini valley so guests at Reilly’s Rock Hilltop Lodge can enjoy game-viewing in the reserve in their own rental car, or on foot or even on horse-back. You can also visit some of the famous Swazi craft markets, Mantegna Waterfalls and the Swazi Candle factory all nearby.
1 Night
Dinner, Bed and Breakfast
Lodge
Spoken Languages: English, Zulu
No. Rooms: 6
Special Interests: Adventure, Birding, Cycling, Flora, Hiking, History & Culture, Leisure, Nature, Relaxation, Star Gazing, Wildlife
Rhino Post Safari Lodge is set on the banks of the Mutlumuvi riverbed, within a 12,000 hectare private concession in the Kruger National Park. This unique wilderness area offers the ideal place for encounters with the Big Five from the comfort of open safari vehicles.
Approximately 10km north-east of Skukuza, this private concession shares a 15km boundary with Mala Mala in the Sabi Sands Game Reserve, with game moving freely between the two reserves. Rhino Post Safari Lodge focuses solely on game drives whilst its sister lodge, Rhino Post Plains Camp, focuses on walking safaris. Often people combine a couple of nights at Rhino Post Safari Lodge before continuing to Plains Camp for a 2 or 3 night walking safari.
Each of the eight luxury suites has an impressive view of the riverbed from the bathroom, outdoor shower and private deck. The suites are set out in an open plan style with wooden floors, thatched roofs, canvas walls, minibar, telephone and overhead fan. The stylish bathroom has a freestanding bath, under a window which can be fully opened to provide a semi-al fresco experience, as well as twin basins, separate toilet and outdoor shower. The main lodge, with its extensive wine cellar, cosy fireplace and bar is the perfect spot for a sundowner overlooking the waterhole in the dry river bed. For something special, spoil yourself with a little pampering in the rejuvenation centre or enjoy a refreshing dip in the pool.
The nature of a wilderness area is that there are no permanent structures, so Rhino Post Safari Lodge was built using natural materials of stone, wood, thatch and canvas to create an authentic bush ambience. The utmost care was taken to minimise the environmental impact of the lodge, and to that end, no concrete was used in the building’s foundations. Battery power is used for lighting and a special indigenous Reedbed System processes the bathroom waste, and other waste is sorted and recycled wherever possible.
A typical day at Rhino Post Safari Lodge would include an early start with a cup of coffee or tea, after which you set out on a game drive. Returning to the lodge you enjoy a leisurely brunch and time to relax around the pool and watch the abundant wildlife amble down to the waterhole. In the late afternoon after a delicious high tea, you enjoy an evening game drive, winding down with sundowners, watching an African sunset and spotting nocturnal animals in the park. Afterwards sumptuous meals are served in the camp’s dining area, which is set under magnificent Tamboti trees.
2 Nights
Full Board Plus - Dinner, Bed, Breakfast, Lunch and Activities
4 Star
Spoken Languages: Afrikaans, English
No. Rooms: 8
Special Interests: Adventure, Big 5, Birding, Flora, Nature, Relaxation, Star Gazing, Wildlife, Wine
Oliver’s Hotel & Restaurant is a very pleasant four star hotel between White River and Hazyview in the Drakensberg Escarpment area close to Blyde River Canyon. The lodge is situated on the White River Country Estate and overlooks the first green of the 18 hole championship golf course. The Blyde River Canyon area is well-known for its temperate sub-tropical climate as well as its many scenic and adventurous activities.
Oliver's is especially well-known for its superb restaurant with fine wines from its well-stocked wine cellar.
There's a choice of three room types: spacious exclusive rooms, luxury rooms with verandas and executive suites which have a separate sitting room and decadent bathrooms also with private outdoor shower. All rooms are well-equipped with twin or king-sized beds, full en suite bathrooms, DSTV, telephone, minibar, air-conditioning, heating, tea/coffee facilities and bathrobes. The luxury rooms and executive suites also have a mini-hifi with DVD and an open fireplace.
Outside there is a pretty garden overlooking the golf course with swimming pool and tea pavillion. Another welcome addition is the spa with professional therapists offering a range of treatments. All the facilities of the White River Country Club may also be enjoyed at extra cost and include golf, tennis and squash. Golf lessons may be arranged with the club pro.
Oliver’s Hotel also welcomes families. Extra beds can be placed in many of the rooms. In addition there is a well-priced comfortable family cottage which has two bedrooms, both en suite with a sitting room and fully equipped kitchen. As with the other rooms, the cottage has DSTV, telephone, minibar, air-conditioning, heating, coffee/tea facilities and bathrobes. There is a small play area in the hotel’s gardens ideal for younger children.
2 Nights
Bed and Breakfast
