SPIER HOTEL in Stellenbosch, South Africa

The public spaces of the Spier Hotel have undergone a major transformation and now boast a dramatic new look that accentuates the extraordinary Spier art collection.

The reception area, lounge, bar and terrace, and restaurant in the luxurious Winelands hotel have been redecorated in a vibrant style that has brought the outdoors in, with strong colours, patterns and textures that echo nature's designs, and furniture that encourages conversation.
A key part of the Spier brief to the interior designer, Dawn Dickerson of Hot Cocoa in Cape Town, was that the job should create an experience for guests, and should illustrate a contemporary, organic ethos. Spier has always been a place that encourages dialogue and the meeting of minds. The spaces in the lounge area have been designed to encourage the old fashioned art of conversation.

'When you want to go to a hotel you want to be entertained; the light and the use of colours create a starting point for conversation with guests,' says Dickerson.

Spier Hotel, Golf and Wine Estate, Stellenbosch SOUTH AFRICA

Get Connected at Spier

The Spier Hotel in Stellenbosch offers high speed broadband internet access creating a seamless conferencing and remote office environment for guests within its premier hotel and leisure surroundings.

The conference venues and public spaces provide broadband service via wireless hotspots. This premium service enable guest the luxury of both web and audio streaming at very affordable rates for individuals and groups. The business centre offers access to the internet via a prepaid voucher system which is free for the first 15minutes.

Spier Hotel is proud to be able to provide guest with connectivity solutions while they're way from the office. This is the beauty of conducting business in a premier setting, which offers the respite of the countryside with the luxury of the latest in connectivity solutions.

Fancourt Hotel & Golf Estate, George / South Africa

REFURBISHMENT AND MAINTENANCE AT FANCOURT

Fancourt will this week start with refurbishments and maintenance throughout the estate. There are several projects that will be undertaken in the upcoming months to ensure that we continue to fulfill our commitment of excellence towards you, our members and guests.

Refurbishment of the 300-series hotel roomsRooms 301 to 307 will be renovated and refurbished over a period of three months and should be open again by mid October.The pathway between these rooms will be closed to hotel and Fancourt traffic for the duration of the refurbishments and will be used for construction vehicles and contracting staff.Access to rooms 308 to 316 will be from the south side (i.e. “the Sandwedge-side”).

Cart path at 18th Hole of Montagu Golf CourseThis one-month project started on Monday July 9 and will see the construction of a new golf cart path as well as the widening of the existing cart path. Play on the golf course will not be affected in any way.

Le Pecheur Restaurant and the Grill Room closed for refurbishmentLe Pecheur and The Grill Room restaurants will be closed for renovations and refurbishment from Monday July 9 and will re-open with new floors, some refurbishing and new menus on Wednesday August 8.
Please be advised that the Hall of Fame-entrance closest to Le Pecheur will be blocked off for about a week in early July - this entrance is required by the contractors for rubble removal. Guests and members should please use the Porte Cochere-entrance or enter via the front of the Club Lounge and Members’ Bar. Should numbers require it, we will open Sansibar on Sunday nights (normal menu) and Morning Glory on Friday and Saturday nights with a buffet menu.
We apologise for the inconvenience and appeal to members and guests to bear with us while Fancourt is being upgraded to ensure the high standard that have become our hallmark.

AWARD: Pezula Hotel & Spa, South African GARDEN ROUTE

PEZULA RECIEVES INTERNATIONAL FIVE STAR DIAMOND AWARD

The 5 star Pezula Resort Hotel & Spa in Knysna has been selected by the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences as a recipient of its coveted International Five Star Diamond Award.

President of the academy, Joseph D Cinque said that Pezula was honoured for its “exceptional effort in enhancing the overall quality of commitment to hospitality, service and gastronomy”, and commends Pezula as being “a most extraordinary establishment in every aspect of its operation.

“We are proud to recognize the dedication of excellence maintained by your fine resort. These outstanding accomplishments enhance the representation of our hospitality industry worldwide,” he writes in a letter of congratulations to Pezula chairman Keith Stewart and hotel GM Russel Binks.

The American Academy of Hospitality Sciences, which is based in New York, is renowned worldwide for rewarding excellence in the global travel and luxury services sector. Each year the academy bestows its coveted International Star Diamond Award exclusively on five star establishments that are deemed to be of pinnacle quality by its esteemed international Board of Trustees, whose members include Donald J. Trump and other respected leaders in the industry who are themselves world travellers. Sources from around the globe routinely submit nominations of five star establishments to the academy for review. The Board then refines the selection to those who qualify for the ultimate evaluation — an anonymous visit by qualified inspectors.

Among those recognised worldwide by the American Academy are five star quality hotels, chefs, airlines, cruise lines and products. Evaluations of establishments are based primarily on hospitality, attitude, quality, cleanliness and above all, service.

General Manager of Pezula Resort Hotel & Spa, Russel Binks, said that it was important for Pezula to receive international recognition.

“We cater for the international market and this is a stamp of approval for us which will be noticed by discerning travellers worldwide. It’s an honour to be ranked by such a prestigious organisation with the likes of The Ritz Carlton New York, The Trump International Hotel & Tower and the Hotel Ritz in Paris.”

Pezula Hotel & Spa, Knysa Garden Route in South Africa

Pezula Spa wins coveted spa award for second time

The 5 star Pezula Resort Hotel & Spa has again been named Best Resort/Hotel Spa in South Africa by Les Nouvelles Esthétiques magazine. The awards were presented at a gala dinner in Sandton on Sunday night, 24 June.

According to Dr Nadine de Freitas, Managing Editor of Les Nouvelles Esthétiques, the aim of the awards is to encourage the highest standards within the local health, beauty and skin care industry.

“We wish to encourage innovation and ensure excellence in a growing local and international market,” said de Freitas. “The growth in the spa sector in South Africa has been phenomenal and the awards honour this flourishing market and those who excel in their field.”

The awards are presented in association with Les Nouvelles Esthétiques Paris and were initiated three years ago to acknowledge and honour the superb world-class spas in South Africa. They are judged in five categories by a number of respected independent industry professionals including members and heads of international skincare associations, professional spa consultants and media professionals.

The five categories are:
• Best Resort/Hotel Spa (this category is inclusive of Destination Spas and Boutique Hotel Spas)• Best Day Spa • Best Safari Spa• Best Medi-Spa, and • Best Unique Spa Concept
Pezula Spa is part of the magnificent Pezula Resort Hotel & Spa in Knysna which opened in February 2005 and has already appeared on the Hot Lists of both the UK and the USA Condé Nast Traveller magazines and the Gold List of the UK Condé Nast Traveller as One of the Best Hotels in the World for Leisure Facilities.

The spa boasts nine therapy rooms, a sauna, steam room, outdoor Jacuzzi, 12m heated indoor pool, nail bar, hair salon and post treatment room with heated water beds. It offers a comprehensive range of treatments and therapies from exotic scrubs and wraps to thirteen different massage options and complete beauty treatments, combining natural treatments with the most technologically advanced equipment. It recently launched its own signature treatment product range, Maruwa, made from local fynbos, the indigenous vegetation of the Western Cape.
Russel Binks, GM of Pezula Resort Hotel & Spa, said that he was delighted with the award.
“We know that our spa is extraordinary and welcome the national and international recognition that comes with winning awards of this stature.” Binks said. “We raised the bar when we opened Pezula Spa and will continue to strive to improve our standards, products and treatments.”

Lynton Hall Hotel, Durban South Coast SOUTH AFRICA

Conferences, Weddings & Functions at The Garden Pavilion

Lynton Hall - Pennington, KZN

The Lynton Hall Hotel is a five star boutique country hotel on the KZN South Coast in South Africa which is set in magnificent gardens, surrounded by a pristine coastal forest and adjoining the Lynton Hall Golf Academy and Umdoni Park.

The hotel has recently opened a state of the art Conference Centre called the Garden Pavilion, which may be of interest to you for business needs. The Conference Centre can comfortably accommodate up to 100 people for weddings and conferences.

At Lynton Hall, they would like to offer you and your partner a special limited invitation for a one night getaway. This offer is available to you on either Thursday the 12th July or Friday the 13th July 2007 at R 1500.00 per couple sharing – dinner, bed and breakfast inclusive. Come and join us for a 5 course set menu created by our executive chef on the Thursday night or an a la carte menu on the Friday night.

Cape Grace Hotel, Cape Town ( South Africa)

Over the past 10 years, the 5 star Cape Grace Hotel in Cape Town, South Africa, has learned to understand guest requirements and prides itself in meeting these needs in a unique and personalised way. Tailor-made services are carefully crafted to ensure a treasured experience every time.

Taking care of the little ones has always been high on the list of priorities at Cape Grace and this year, considering the kids continues as a new range of gifts for children staying at the 5-star V&A Waterfront hotel, is launched.Starting with Babies, Cape Grace has put together a pack of the trusted, travel size Johnson & Johnson products ranging from soap for sensitive skins to natural lavender scented shampoo which encourages relaxation before bedtime. Also included in the welcome gift is a Kids @ Cape Grace embroidered waterproof bib and a cuddly African animal toy.

Toddlers are up next with a box of treats sure to keep the tiny tots entertained. Amongst other delicious delights, tooth-friendly Caring Candy consisting of only natural ingredients is sure to please while the African finger puppets, African story and 24-piece Cape Grace puzzle will keep them busy for hours.

And for Kids between 4 and ten years old, Cape Grace has carefully selected an educative hamper complete with Big 5 Playing Cards, a 50-piece Cape Grace puzzle, a Cape Grace colouring-in activity book with crayons, an African story and of course a few edible treats too! Lastly the Tweens and Teens are catered for with a camera to capture happy holiday moments in the Mother City and a South African note book to document the detail.Cape Grace also offer Kids @ Cape Grace embroidered linen prepared for all cots on arrival. This includes a duvet cover, sheet and pillowcase. In addition to the much loved African Story telling in the Library every evening at 18h00, our Guest Liaisons have now introduced Gingerbread decorating for Kids.

Alternate evenings can be spent dressing these edible treats, whilst parents can enjoy the History & Wine Orientation in the Cape Grace boardroom.Much thought has gone into sourcing and preparing healthy, interesting gifts for Cape Grace’s small visitors. After all, it’s often the little things that matter the most!

Dawsons Trout and Game Lodge, South Africa

The Dawson’s Game and Trout Lodge offers exclusive, luxury accommodation overlooking the magnificent Mpumalanga escarpment.

The property features exceptional trout fishing and a distinctive game viewing experience on horseback. Ultimately, the lodge serves as a quiet retreat and is the perfect place to say, “I do”. It is for this reason that the owner of SA Horseback Safaris, Steven Rufus and his fiancé, celebrated their special day at Dawson’s.

Valentines Day at Dawson’s Game and Trout Lodge is always romantic and special and this year was no different. Couples staying at the lodge had a chance to spend some quality time together in one of the most beautiful settings in South Africa. Guests were welcomed into their rooms by a private dinner setting and homemade chocolates.

The Valentines’ menu comprised of four mouth watering main courses, including chicken fillet stuffed with spinach and feta, served on whole grain mustard mash with a creamy honey and star anise sauce. This was followed by an innovative and intoxicating dessert dish, tequila flambéed caramelized strawberries served on bar-one and marshmallow ice cream with a chilli chocolate sauce.

The 14th of February proved to be a magical and memorable day for all guests. If you could not attend this year, definitely consider the lodge as a romantic retreat for Valentine’s Day next year.