The Taj Cape Town lies in the heart of historic Cape Town and offers a winning combination of rich history and elegant contemporary architecture. Originally home to the South African Reserve Bank, later the Board of Executors (BOE), the Taj Cape Town successfully combines the heritage of the old with the luxury of the new.
This five-star hotel is ideally located at the entrance to the famous pedestrian precinct, St George's Mall - perfectly situated to discover authentic Cape Town. The Taj Cape Town overlooks the Anglican Cathedral and the historic Company Gardens with art galleries, museums, restaurants, street cafes and street markets all within a couple of minutes walk.
The Taj Cape Town has a choice of Heritage Rooms and Suites in the original building and Tower Rooms and Suites in the newer building. 166 exquisite rooms offer old-world quality with modern features and luxury amenities including air-conditioning, minibar, tea/coffee facilities, wireless connectivity, LCD TV, telephones, iPod docking station and writing desk. The stylish bathroom has a deep oversize bath tub and double size walk in shower with sound speakers in the bathroom for the TV & iPod. Though it has glass walls a blind can be pulled down to give privacy.
The Taj Cape Town presents an eclectic variety of cuisine with an authentic Indian restaurant, the Bombay Brasserie, a chic champagne & oyster bar and a relaxed all-day restaurant which flows out onto the pedestrian streets. As befits a Taj hotel, the Taj Cape Town has a Jiva Grande Spa with eight modern treatment rooms. There's also a fully equipped fitness centre which overlooks the indoor heated swimming pool.
4 Nights
Bed and Breakfast
Lagoon Lodge on Mosaic Private Sanctuary is an enchanting lodge on the edge of Hermanus lagoon in an ancient milkwood grove. Lagoon Lodge has a spectacular setting with views overlooking a bird sanctuary and lake towards the beautiful Overberg Mountains. The five shady, spacious en-suite stone and thatch suites are built on the lagoon's edge. Each has an ensuite bathroom with large tub and outdoor shower as well as a wooden deck overlooking the lagoon with its mountain backdrop. One is a large family suite which can sleep two adults and two children. Wooden boardwalks take you to the open 'lapa' area where lunch is served and the main lodge. Here you can enjoy the magnificent sunset over the lagoon or a drip in their modest swimming pool. Lagoon Lodge is very unusual in the Hermanus area as it has the feel of an African safari lodge with its open central building and use of natural materials.
The other big plus for Mosaic is the range of activities on offer on the estate.
Nature enthusiasts can discover the amazing Cape Floral Kingdom and its magnificent fynbos and birds by exploring the 933ha reserve on foot or kayak. The rates at Mosaic Farm include a guided morning nature walk and a range of sundowner activities (weather permitting). Hop onto their open 4x4 vehicle or a quad biking excursion and discover fynbos, birds and the pristine Walker Bay Beach and Nature Reserve where you can enjoy beautiful sunsets over the ocean. Between June and December, Southern Right Whales migrate from Antarctica to the shelter of Walker Bay to mate and calf. You can cruise among the water birds on the Hermanus Lagoon aboard the 'Spirit of Angus' perhaps enjoying an impromptu swim off the boat. Or try kayaking on the lagoon to view the stunning blue cranes and water birds in this natural wetland. Also included are archaeological cave tours to Klipgat Cave, beach walks and wine tasting at Springfontein Wine Estate.
However Lagoon Lodge at Mosaic also offers a number of optional activities (at extra cost) such as spa treatments as well as offsite excursions such as shark cage diving, boat-based whale watching and scenic tours by plane.
Mosaic offers birdlife, a beautiful lagoon setting and masses to do, yet it is only 30 minute drive to the picturesque fishing and resort town of Hermanus, and 20 minutes to the whale-watching viewpoints of Die Kelders and Gans Bay. As there's so much to do at Mosaic, we recommend at least two nights and ideally three.
SELF-CONTAINED COTTAGES
3km away the historic Spookhuis operates as an independent bistro/deli on the Mosaic estate, and offers some indoor entertainment options (television, extensive library, board games) in case of inclement weather.
Here Mosaic also offers four self-catering cottages about 3km away. Make yourself at home surrounded by beautiful natural finishes, wood-burning stoves, braai, stoep and a huge deck. However braai baskets, breakfast baskets and other food goodies are available at the Spookhuis Country Deli.
2 Nights
Full Board Plus - Dinner, Bed, Breakfast, Lunch and Activities
5 Star
Lodge
Spoken Languages: Afrikaans, English, Xhosa, Zulu
No. Rooms: 5
Special Interests: Adventure, Beach / Coastal, Birding, Cycling, Flora, Gourmet, Hiking, Leisure, Nature, Relaxation, Watersports, Wine
Highgrove House is situated on a 64 ha farm, close to both the Blyde River Canyon and also the Kruger Park. Set amid indigenous forests and surrounded by orchards of avocado, banana, litchi and olive trees, Highgrove House is an exclusive luxury retreat that has been tastefully restored to its colonial splendour. The homestead lies in the Kierpersol area of the Drakensberg Escarpment and the eight suites have sweeping views across the valley.
The bedrooms and bathrooms are magnificently appointed. Six luxury and two orchid suites have overhead fans and separate sitting rooms with log fires. The orchid suites have their own gardens with private plunge pools and saunas. The large swimming pool is surrounded by tropical gardens with lovely views. Breakfasts are served al fresco under the Victorian gazebo. The cuisine at Highgrove is rated among the best in South Africa, and the restaurant has been awarded the Chaine de Rotisseurs blazon and offers an exceptional wine cellar as well. Activities include horse riding, walking, bird watching, hot air ballooning, a day in the Kruger Park, or exploring the scenic wonders of the region.
The Orchard Spa offers spacious treatment rooms and views over the valley coupled with the professional service from their staff. It’s now one of the best spas in the region.
1 Night
Dinner, Bed and Breakfast
Simbavati River Lodge is an intimate and friendly camp built on the banks of the Nhlaralumi River in the Timbavati Private Game Reserve. The Timbavati is part of the Greater Kruger Park. Shaded by age old Jackalberry and Weeping Boerbean Trees, Simbavati River Lodge comprises three thatched chalets, each with two bedrooms, and four luxury tented rooms all with en-suite facilities. Tents and chalets are comfortably furnished with eco friendly air conditioning or fans. Each has a well appointed en suite bathroom with indoor bath and outdoor shower (or outdoor bath and indoor shower in the case of two tents).
The lodge also offers a spacious lounge, bar, dining area on the deck and an expansive deck with breathtaking views over the river. There's also a small plunge pool for relaxing during the heat of the day. Brunch is served outside on the wooden deck and combine African and Western cuisine (with exciting new tastes for the more adventurous as well as more conventional options.) High tea is served just before the afternoon game drive whilst dinner is a festive event served around the campfire in the open-air boma, or on the deck overlooking the river.
Simbavati River Lodge offers game drives in the early morning and evening to ensure game viewing when the animals are most active. Game drives are conducted by experienced rangers and Shangaan trackers in open 4x4 vehicles, with excellent photographic opportunities. You traverse over 12,000 hectares of the finest big game country, with lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo thriving alongside giraffe, zebra and a variety of antelope. Nocturnal animals, including the big cats, are regularly sighted on night drives. Bird watching is wonderful, with various eagles, owls, francolins, kingfishers, rollers and weavers among the over 300 recorded species.
Simbavati River Lodge is a child-friendly safari camp with three family chalets available, each with two bedrooms sharing one bathroom. One of the family chalets can take three children sharing with two parents whilst the other chalets can accommodate two children. Typically children 6 years and over can join their parents on game drives. However families with younger children can request a private landrover and guide (at an additional cost).
4 Nights
Full Board Plus - Dinner, Bed, Breakfast, Lunch and Activities
4 Star
Lodge
Spoken Languages: Afrikaans, English
No. Rooms: 11
Special Interests: Adventure, Big 5, Birding, Leisure, Nature, Relaxation, Star Gazing, Wildlife, Wine
