Archive for the ‘Mount Grace Country Hotel & Spa’ Category

Enjoy quality family time at Maropeng this Easter: Maropeng Hotel & Maropeng Visitor Centre

Thursday, March 29th, 2012

Enjoy quality family time at Maropeng this Easter

Maropeng

Exciting Maropeng

Maropeng has many exciting events planned for the whole family to enjoy this Easter – from accommodation specials and riveting tours, to fun, Easter-themed activities and a competition.  Has your child ever asked you one of those seemingly unanswerable questions, such as, “Where do we come from?” Maropeng is a wonderful place to start investigating the answers – and you’ll have fun doing it.  Visit excavation sites and mysterious caves, wander through Maropeng’s interactive displays and exhibitions and enjoy a relaxing and friendly atmosphere at the Cradle of Humankind this April.

Inside Maropeng Visitors Centre

Inside Maropeng Visitors Centre

While you are exploring Maropeng and its surrounds, keep an eye out for the Maropeng Easter Bunny, which will be handing out special Easter treats. Children are also invited to enjoy the Maropeng playground where they can have fun and learn about how our ancient hominid ancestors lived in the past.

An Easter buffet will also be on offer over the Easter weekend, from Friday, April 6 until Monday, April 9. Enjoy a delicious carvery lunch at the Tumulus Restaurant for only R135 per adult and R75 per child, with a kiddies’ menu option for only R50 – sure to hit the spot after all that Easter chocolate!

Maropeng Fossils

Maropeng Fossils

If you join the carvery lunch this Easter, you stand a chance to win a fantastic Maropeng experience for the family, with tickets for four people to one of Maropeng’s popular Stargazing events.  Enjoy a tour of the night sky with Maropeng’s resident astronomer Vincent Nettmann.

Cooper’s Cave: April 14

Explore the 1.5-million-year-old Cooper’s Cave fossil site on a guided tour, suitable for the family.  Learn how to make stone tools and dig for fossils while learning more about this fascinating site with palaeobiologist Dr Christine Steininger.  After the tour, enjoy a delicious picnic lunch surrounded by beautiful scenery.

Bone Detectives – Following the footsteps of legends: April 21

Recent fossil discoveries at the Cradle of Humankind held the world entranced. They also shed new light on the painstaking work of the dedicated scientists who unravel our evolutionary history in their giant sandpit at the Cradle.  Led by up-and-coming scientist Brendon Billings, the legends tour delves into the fossil discoveries of world-renowned scientific pioneers Professors Raymond Dart, Robert Broom, Bob Brain and Phillip Tobias of Wits University, in their search in and around the Sterkfontein Caves and surrounding areas. After the bone tour, explore Sterkfontein Caves with one of the expert tourist guides. Round off your experience with a fantastic picnic buffet lunch overlooking the beautiful Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site.

Maropeng experience for the family

Maropeng experience for the family

Stargazing – You are here: April 28

Join Maropeng’s resident astronomer, Vincent Nettmann, as he takes you on a 15-billion light year journey from Earth to the extreme edge of the known universe. The evening begins at 17h00 with welcome drinks and snacks on the Tumulus restaurant deck where you can enjoy breathtaking views over the Cradle of Humankind as the sun sets.  The stargazing presentation will be followed by a buffet dinner. Subject to weather conditions, you will be able to observe the moon and summer sky objects through a range of large aperture telescopes.

Fancy going on a journey of discovery? Maropeng is giving learners the opportunity to win a tour for their class of 60 to the award-winning tourist attraction, the Maropeng Visitor Centre.  What better place to learn about the origins of humankind than where it all began, the Cradle of Humankind?  Accommodation is provided at the Maropeng Hotel.

South African Tourism Company

Magaliesberg Hotels

Tel:    +27 (0)21 794 9050
Mobile: +27 (0)827 823 142
Fax:    +27 (0)21 794 9995
Email:   africa@golfing-safaris.com

Website: http://www.south-african-hotels.com
Website: http://www.south-african-lodges.com

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Activities, Attraction, Dining, Events, Forum Homini Boutique Hotel, General, Magaliesberg Hotels, Maropeng Hotel, Mount Grace Country Hotel & Spa, News, North West Province, North West Province Hotels, Photography, South Africa Accommodation, Sun City and Pilanesberg Hotels | No Comments »

New Spa Treatments Launched At The Mount Grace Country House & Spa, Magaliesberg

Monday, March 26th, 2012

New Spa Treatments Launched At The Mount Grace Country House & Spa

Magaliesberg, South Africa

The Mount Grace Spa

The Mount Grace Spa

Certainly one of the most popular spas in Gauteng, the spa at the Mount Grace Country House is a major drawcard at this five-star country hotel which is situated in the foothills of the Magaliesburg. With luxurious treatment rooms, as well as an extensive menu of specialised face and body treatments and also a host of extra facilities for guests’ exclusive use, these include a café, numerous pools, a hydrotherapy garden and an Afro Zen flotation tank, it’s no surprise that the spa is considered a haven from busy city life.

With its idyllic location, picture perfect surrounds of manicured lawns, numerous pools and endless views out across a valley, this world-class spa is a true escape from it all.  The Mount Grace Hotel & Spa is just 60 minutes from Johannesburg and 45 minutes from Pretoria, there’s time for both a morning and an afternoon of indulgences, lunch in between and a laze under the trees.

Always at the forefront of new treatments and trends, the Mount Grace Spa has recently launched some additional offerings to their already impressive Spa Treatment menu:

New Spa Treatments

New Spa Treatments

Cold Comfort

International studies have shown that ‘cold’ therapies have many beneficial effects for the human body within as well as on the outside such as; mood upliftment and general wellbeing. Taking their cue from what many sports scientists have seen in cryotherapy, where athletes are immersed in ice baths or left in cold rooms for intensive post-game muscle repair, a new series of body treatments at the Mount Grace Country House involve the use of cool, pure marble discs. Used in the Mount Grace Spa Signature Facial for example, the marble which helps to bring equilibrium to the body by drawing warm blood from deeper lying tissues to the cooler skin surface; the nutrient and oxygen rich blood nourishes the skin being treated, resulting in an enhanced sense of wellbeing and much improved appearance.

Hot Stuff

Hot Stone Massages remain one of the most popular treatments at Mount Grace Spa and in keeping with international trends, this excellent form of treatment has been taken up a notch. At the Mount Grace Spa clients are based on a ‘bed’ of specifically placed, heated basalt stones during their massage – the precise spinal placement of the stones offers deep relief for stressed muscles, releasing tension and significantly improving blood flow. Providing a deep sense of relaxation for the stressed out soul, this treatment is the ideal way to settle into downtime at Mount Grace and a must for the day visitor with additional plans for facial and beauty treatments on the agenda.

Deep Sense of Relaxation

Deep Sense of Relaxation

Water Works

At Mount Grace Spa guests are able to indulge in a variety of treatments on a day, overnight or weekend visit. A recent introduction to the treatments menu is a Hydrotherapy session, where guests are given an opportunity to follow a sequence of water-based experiences. Experts agree that the alternation of hot and cold aqua treatments has enormous health benefits, resulting in an enhanced sense of wellbeing and a deep sense of relaxation.  This treatment is a 50-minute long journey and involves specific times spent in a steam room, followed by a cold Jacuzzi session, the flotation tank, the bubbling mushroom pool and finally the warm Jacuzzi.

Each of the new experiences introduced at the Mount Grace Spa offers excellent health and wellbeing benefits and can be enjoyed on their own, but for the spa visitor in need of a pick me up, why not combine all three for a day treatment that works to relax intensively? Start the day with a Hydrotherapy session, move on to a Signature Facial with marble therapy and conclude your day of spa spoils with a hot stone back, neck and shoulder massage with spinal placement to ensure you leave feeling rejuvenated and ready to face the world.

Should you wish to treat yourself and indulge in these new spa treatments, please contact us for specials, packages and best available rates:

South African Tourism Company

Magaliesberg Mountain Hotels & Accommodation

Tel:    +27 (0)21 794 9050
Mobile: +27 (0)827 823 142
Fax:    +27 (0)21 794 9995
Email:   africa@golfing-safaris.com

Website: http://www.south-african-hotels.com
Website: http://www.south-african-lodges.com

 

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Activities, Attraction, Honeymoon, Magaliesberg, Magaliesberg Hotels, Mount Grace Country Hotel & Spa, South Africa Accommodation, Spa, Weddings, Wellness | No Comments »

Winemaker Dinners Offer Double The Delight At The Mount Grace Country House & Spa

Thursday, March 8th, 2012

Winemaker Dinners Offer Double The Delight At The Mount Grace Country House & Spa

Mount Grace Country House & Spa

Mount Grace Country House & Spa

Famous for the perfect country getaway the Mount Grace Country House & Spa  is set amidst ten acres of lush gardens and vegetation.  Mount Grace is only a mere hour’s drive from the bustle of Johannesburg city but couldn’t be further away from it in terms of its natural tranquillity and charm.

At the Mount Grace Hotel in the Magaliesberg (Magaliesberg Hotels), time slows down and nature takes over as the fresh country breezes and magnificent views of the valleys and mountains help guests relax and unwind. But just because you may leave the busy city doesn’t mean you have to leave your sophisticated and elegant lifestyle behind too.

The perfect country getaway

The perfect country getaway

At the Mount Grace Country House & Spa the Executive Chef Franc Lubbe embraces the hotel’s signature restaurant, the Rambling Vine,and he has maticuliously compiled a series of scrumptious dinners that showcase some of South Africa’s finest wines and winemakers, these are paired with the chefs’ unique country-style cuisine. Each of the winemakers will host a dinner at the Rambling Vine on Saturday evenings, relating amusing anecdotes and providing entertaining insights into his winemaking and his specific wines. Alternatively, if you prefer a more laidback lunch, then another option is to join the winemaker the following day at the Mount Grace’s Twist Restaurant for their famous Sunday lunch where you can sip, sup, relax and enjoy with your family and friends.

At the Mount Grace Country House & Spa this programme will begin on the 26th and 27th of May when the resort plays host to the irrepressible von Arnim family from Haute Cabrière. Achim von Arnim was one of the pioneers of Methode Cap Classique in South Africa, and both he and winegrowing son, Takuan have a huge fund of stories, memories and anecdotes which it will be a privilege to share.

The following month sees yet another sparkling wine supremo as Johan Malan of Simonsig take centre stage over the weekend of the 23rd/24th June. Johan’s father was the first sparkling wine producer in the country and his son have continued the ‘Kaapse Vonkel’ tradition whilst making an equally strong name for Simonsig in the fields of Pinotage and Chenin Blanc.

Over the weekend of the 28th/29th July, Jacus Marais from Nitida will be joining Franc and the team, bringing with him the cellar’s range of delicious cool-climate Sauvignons and Semillons along with their award-winning red blend, the Calligraphy.

August is the turn of Zevenwacht and cellarmaster Jacques Viljoen, whose wide and varied range of wines may even be complemented with some of their award-winning cheeses as well! Jacques and Zevenwacht will be hosting the weekend of 25th and 26th August.

September sees the young and talented Van Zyl du Toit from Franschhoek farm, Allée Bleue Wine Estate arriving at the Mount Grace. Over the weekend of the 22nd and 23rd, Van Zyl will be showcasing his deservedly popular MCC along with his highly-acclaimed Chenin Blanc and other delicious wines. He will be followed on the 27th and 28th October by one of South Africa’s finest Sauvignon Blanc producers, Andrew Gunn from Iona in Elgin. Iona is one of the longest-running producers in the region and Andrew has a wealth of fascinating experience and insight into this up and coming area.

The final wine weekend of the year will be on the 24th/25th of November and the Mount Grace will be ending with a flourish and a fanfare as they welcome one of the fathers of Pinotage, Beyers Truter from Beyerskloof. A famous raconteur, Beyers will entertain and amuse with his tales from the cutting edge of growing South Africa’s national grape. It’s a weekend not to be missed.

The Gourmet Evenings at Rambling Vine Restaurant are priced at R450.00 per person while the Gourmet Sunday Lunch option is priced at R265.00. Both choices include a stellar wine pairing. Why not overnight and a make a weekend of it?

South African Tourism Company
Tel:    +27 (0)21 794 9050
Mobile: +27 (0)827 823 142
Fax:    +27 (0)21 794 9995
Email:   africa@golfing-safaris.com

Tags: ,
Posted in Activities, Attraction, Dining, Events, Fishing, General, Magaliesberg, Magaliesberg Hotels, Maropeng Hotel, Mount Grace Country Hotel & Spa, News, South Africa Accommodation, Spa, Wellness, Wine tasting, Wines | No Comments »

Bill Harrop’s Hot Air Balloon Flights: Something really different, something really special

Saturday, March 3rd, 2012

A Balloon Safari: Something really different, something really special

Bill Harrop’s unique Hot Air Balloon Flights, Magaliesberg near Johannesburg (South Africa)

A Balloon Safari

A Balloon Safari

During the magnificent sunrise, the silence of the extraordinary hot air balloon flight is interrupted only by the occasional blast of the powerful burners and the faint call of a bird or animal far beneath. The thrill is fantastic of this unique adventure.

It is an amazing feeling, while hovering gently above the tree tops of the beautiful Magalies River Valley, or drifting majestically high above the Magaliesberg range in the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage site, just 45 km north of Johannesburg’s northern suburbs, a region boasting some of the best ballooning weather in the world.

The exceptional peace of this unique and beautiful view of the world and this unique experience of Bill Harrop’s Magalies River Valley Scenic Hot Air Balloon Safari will forever remain as a truly cherished memory.

Hot Air Ballooning

Hot Air Ballooning

 

Should you wish to experience this wonderful activity, we recommend the following accommodation options in the Magaliesberg:

Magaliesberg Hotels

Valley Lodge

Mount Grace Hotel & Spa

For queries, best rates and bookings, please do not hesitate to contact us:

South African Tourism Company
Tel:    +27 (0)21 794 9050
Mobile: +27 (0)827 823 142
Fax:    +27 (0)21 794 9995
Email:   africa@golfing-safaris.com

Website: http://www.south-african-hotels.com
Website: http://www.south-african-lodges.com

Click here for YouTube Video Clip: Bill Harrop’s Hot Air Balloon Flights in South Africa

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in Activities, Attraction, Game Lodge, Game Lodges, General, Hot Air Ballooning, Magaliesberg, Magaliesberg Hotels, Maropeng Hotel, Mount Grace Country Hotel & Spa, News, South Africa Accommodation | No Comments »

Mount Grace Country House & Spa, Magaliesburg

Monday, December 12th, 2011

EAT, DRINK & BE MERRY at the MOUNT GRACE COUNTRY HOUSE

The luxurious Mount Grace Country House & Spa looks forward to a busy Christmas season with a full calendar of events for December.  With its picturesque position in the foothills of the Magaliesberg Mountains, elegant five star surrounds and superb service, the Mount Grace Country House & Spa is a luxurious escape any time of the year.

But at Christmas time this award-winning hotel, with its expansive conferencing facilities, state-of-the-art spa and a selection of plush suites and well-appointed villas, comes into its own. Here, the run up to the most festive day of the year starts in earnest in early December, and the energy is palpable. The team is busy with preparations for the many parties held at the hotel and the imminent arrival of visitors escaping the city and heading for the mountains for some peace and quiet and a chance to recharge their batteries.

This year sees the launch of the Mount Grace Advent Calendar of events – which extends up to and beyond Christmas, taking into account that many guests visit the hotel for New Year’s Eve too.

From December 5, guests can channel their inner Martha Stewart by taking part in baking demonstrations and hands-on crafting sessions in preparation for the decorating of the hotel’s big Christmas. From eggnog how-to’s and Christmas cake making workshops to talks about and walks in the natural surrounds led by local experts, informal wine tastings and cooking demonstrations with Chef Franc Lubbe, guests can pick and choose from a full and interesting calendar of events that is sure to get them in the mood for Christmas. Guests can take their pick of events such as sommelier tables, potjiekos competitions and prego rolls on the braai at Boxing Day (after a multi course buffet-style Christmas Lunch on the 25th of course) – all in the name of ensuring that the best time is had by one and all.

The calendar will include the hotel’s well-loved New Year’s Eve dinner, a seven-course bubbly-fuelled affair. “Although we’re a sizeable hotel, our personal touch has always been our drawcard and our Advent Calendar is one way to ensure that the Christmas season is a joyful time for both staff and guests, all the events are very informal and are our way of offering guests that extra something during their stay with us”, says Mount Grace General Manager Clayton Howard.

Of course, guests can choose to partake in as few or as many activities as they choose. Perhaps indulging in a spa treatment is as much as they’d like to extend themselves after a long and hard year? But should they like to add some jingle to their stay at Mount Grace, there’s certainly no shortage of interesting things to do this December.

The Mount Grace Country House & Spa looks forward to a busy Christmas season with a full calendar of events for December.

For accommodation enquiries and bookings, please call 021 794 9050, email africa@golfing-safaris.com or go to www.south-african-hotels.com for more information.

Tags: ,
Posted in Magaliesberg Hotels, Mount Grace Country Hotel & Spa, News, South Africa Accommodation, Wellness | No Comments »

Mount Grace Country House, Magaliesburg / South Africa

Friday, December 9th, 2011

Health and beauty spa at the Mount Grace Country Hotel, Magaliesberg (South Africa)

Magnificent spa at the Mount Grace Country House, South Africa

A mere hour’s drive from Johannesburg, South Africa, makes this state-of-the-art spa at the Mount Grace Country House an easy and oh-so-enjoyable day trip for indulgence seekers. There are many health and beauty spas in Gauteng but none like the Mount Grace Spa, which is a veritable oasis in the Magaliesburg where hotel guests and day visitors alike come to feel restored and rejuvenated.

With its idyllic location at the acclaimed five-star Mount Grace Country House, picture perfect surrounds of manicured lawns, numerous pools and endless views out across a valley, this world-class spa is a true escape from it all. It’s here that people wanting to escape the urban buzz head for some me-time, it’s where ladies book clubs congregate to talk more about the spa’s latest beauty treatments than the books they’ve read and where couples seeking to reconnect head for some romantic downtime.

The beauty of it all is that getting here is so easy – just 60 minutes from Johannesburg and 45 minutes from Pretoria, there’s time for both a morning and an afternoon of indulgences lunch in between and a laze under the trees and at any of the pools should you so wish.

Located in a glass walled thatched building high up on the hotel property, there’s no denying that this is a space completely and utterly dedicated to pleasure. Consisting of two floors and boasting an impressive 18 treatment rooms (many of them designed for duo treatments), the spa also boasts a gym, an outdoor Afro-Zen flotation tank and a number of pool and Jacuzzi areas for pre and post treatment downtime. The focus at the spa is to encourage guests to spend as much time here as possible – loungers dotted on the terrace and in the shaded gardens attest to this while there is also a restaurant serving everything from fresh smoothies to wholesome buffet lunches. The nearby Bush Spa offers an unusual alfresco experience with guests treated to spa spoils in a number of outdoor Afro-chic cabanas – the accompanying soundtrack of birdsong ensuring utter relaxation.

From specialised facials to all over detoxing, relaxing and refining body treatments, luxury pedicures and manicures and the spa’s famed extended signature treatments, there is a seemingly endless array of choices to ensure guests feel utterly pampered. On weekends a professional hairstylist is on duty while male clientele are looked after with the spa’s Mens Packages (there are also Expectant Mothers packages).

Packages are a popular focus at the Mount Grace Spa, many of them taking their influence from Asian traditions like the Scentao of Asia, a 1 ½ hour offering that includes a Shiatsu hot stone massage and a Discovery Facial. There is also an Ayurvedic package, an African package and the 3-hour long Stress Away, which includes a facial, full body massage and de-stressing wrap. And for those on a midweek escape, treatments are priced less during the week than at the weekend.

For Mount Grace Spa and accommodation enquiries at the Mount Grace Country House & Spa, please call 021 794 9050, email africa@golfing-safaris.com or go to www.south-african-hotels.com for more information.

Mount Grace Country House & Spa:

Rustenburg Road
Magaliesburg 1791
Gauteng
South Africa

Tags: ,
Posted in Magaliesberg Hotels, Mount Grace Country Hotel & Spa, South Africa Accommodation, Wellness | No Comments »

Mount Grace Country Hotel & Spa, Magaliesberg / South Africa

Thursday, December 8th, 2011

One of South Africa’s finest Country Hotels launches delectable New Menu

The magnificent Mount Grace Country House & Spa introduces a new soufflé-specific menu at The Rambling Vine restaurant under chef Franc Lubbe

The five star Mount Grace Country House & Spa introduces a new soufflé-specific menu at The Rambling Vine restaurant under chef Franc Lubbe

Kitchen trends come and go but the timeless classics remain. A soufflé is one of those French culinary offerings that has mesmerised gourmets for centuries and at Mount Grace Country House and Spa Executive chef Franc Lubbe continues the tradition in style, giving it a fresh new twist and lifting it to new heights.

As of this spring, Franc has introduced an innovative new additional menu offering at this picturesque country hotel in the Magaliesberg. Featuring five perfectly risen and subtly flavoured soufflés in both the savoury and sweet realms, diners at the Rambling Vine restaurant at Mount Grace are sure to be impressed by the soufflé menu that is offered alongside the daily lunch and dinner a la carte menus at the restaurant.

Famously light in texture and ideal for the warm days and balmy evenings in the Magaliesberg, Franc has devised a selection of five subtly flavoured, altogether decadent soufflés for his special menu. From a double baked Stilton soufflé served with a Stilton mousse and a hanepoot saffron poached pear to a leek and bacon soufflé served with brioche soldiers and for the sweet-toothed, a frozen lemon soufflé served with a brandy snap, it’s clear Franc has explored the realm of this French stalwart and enjoyed doing so “the soufflé is the benchmark of any classically trained chef and they’re definitely enjoying a revival at the moment –I wanted to reintroduce them to the South African audience in style and with a dash of wit”, he says.

While the menu has been designed as an accompaniment to Franc’s mouthwatering seasonal menu, for those preferring a light meal, this interesting additional soufflé menu is ideal as a stand alone and a delightful additional to the spoils at this elegant country hotel and spa in the heart of the Magaliesberg. Guests are encouraged to savour their soufflé moments, enjoying each and every wobbly spoonful while drinking in the magnificent surrounds of this award winning, five star country escape.

To book your table at Rambling Vine Restaurant and for accommodation enquiries call us for the Mount Grace Country House & Spa on 021 794 9050, email africa@golfing-safaris.com or go to www.south-african-hotels.com for more information.

Tags: ,
Posted in Magaliesberg Hotels, Mount Grace Country Hotel & Spa, News, South Africa Accommodation | No Comments »