Forum Homini Boutique Hotel
Location: Cradle of Humankind, Magaliesberg Mountains, Gauteng, South Africa
Address
Letamo Game Estate
Bartlet Road
Kromdraai, Mogale City
Gauteng
South Africa
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Forum Homini Boutique Hotel
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Overview
The Forum Homini presents a unique opportunity to explore the cradle of humankind and surrounding highlights within Gauteng in South Africa whilst experiencing opulent luxury. Located in the famous Cradle of Humankind, northwest of Johannesburg , the Forum Homini is easily accessible from Johannesburg on the N1 South.
The Forum Homini five star boutique hotel is situated in a private game reserve, The Cradle of Humankind, which is one of the world's most famous heritage sites. Guests can here explore the planet of the ages and visit a dozen dolomitic limestone caves - all this just 40 minutes from Johannesburg and Pretoria.
Accommodation at the five star Forum Homini Boutique Hotel
Luxury Caves:
All twelve luxury suites at the Forum Homini Boutique Hotel are carved into the landscape with beautifully designed roofs covered in African veld. Thea suites are tastefully decorated in rich wood and silken fabrics. The lush king size bed with a voluptuous silk canopy nestled above, creating a romantic setting, takes centre stage and guests enter the outdoor double shower through a waterfall of sparkling coloured beads which cascade down over the doorway.
The lounge leads onto a sumptuous bath for two, overlooking the bushveld, complimented by a glass encased fireplace and stalactite shapes that light up the suites in a soft haze.
Honeymoon Suite:
The honeymoon suite at the Formum Homini is the perfect secluded setting for a romantic getaway with silk curtains draping around the spa bath area and a voluptuous canopy nestling above the king size bed. Continue the romantic getaway by dining in-suite sitting at the fireside dining room with its own bird viewing window
Presidential Suite:
The Presidential suite in addition to standard amenities also features boardroom that can seat up to eight people. Double showers open up onto a private garden area featuring a small splash pool as the centre piece. This suite is ideal for small executive meetings or a romantic evening.
All suites at the Forum Homini Boutique Hotel are equipped with:
- Luxury kingsize beds (twin bed options)
- Satellite TV
- DVD Player/CD player
- Tea and coffee making facilities
- Mini bar fridge with basic stock or stocked to guests preference
- A full bathroom with 'his and hers' hand wash basins
- Bath with a view onto the open veld / bush
- Indoor/outdoor double door glass shower
- Digital safe
- Custom made gas fireplaces
- Under floor heating and individually controlled air conditioning
- Internet connectivity
- Direct dial telephone lines local and international
Restaurant / Dining at the Forum Homini
The roots gourmet restaurant at the Forum Homini is renowned as one of Johannesburg's top fine dining restaurants. Guests are invited to indulge in delicious dishes inspired by French, African and Asian influences. Well designed menus are changed daily and include six-course dinner and four-course lunch gourmet menus also known as a menu degustation.
Dishes are prepared with creativity, passion and flair, served with optional course-matched wines to compliment each dish and to satisfy the discerning palate. All wines are available from the hotel's wine cellar and are handpicked from a well selected collection of South African wines.
Wine Cellar:
The wine cellar at the Forum Homini Boutique Hotel features some of the top South African wines such as, Hamilton Russell, Rustenberg and Cederberg as well as an array of well selected wines and champagnes from France, Laurent Perrier being the house champagne at roots. All wines are carefully selected to suit the style and concept at roots restaurant.
The philosophy at the roots restaurant at the Forum Homini is to establish a partnership with selected wine estates to endeavour and maintain a common passion in wine.
Activities which are available at the Forum Homini Boutique Hotel, Gauteng
- Sound therapy
- Tai chi / Yoga
Group Activities:
- Interactive cooking sessions
- Tea Ceremonies
- Wine & Whiskey tastings (minimum group requirement of 12 people, subject to availability and prior bookings essential)
Sighhtseeing places in the surrounding area
- Journey through the evolution of life by exploring the new world-renowned Maropeng Visitor Attraction
- Sterkfontein caves - where i.e Mrs Ples & Little Foot were found
- Wonder caves & Wonder caves Observatory for night star gazing
- Rhino & Lion Nature reserve for game viewings; lion, wild dog & cheetah feedings; live snake displays and an animal crèche
- Palaeo Tours offer private visits to three hominid fossil sites within The Cradle of Humankind and palaeonthologists are on-hand to discuss the fossil findings.
- Wild Cave adventures offers abseiling and climbing inside the caves
- Visits to Lesedi Cultural Village for traditional dancing and tours around the villages.
- Wander through a craft market with hand crafter ware by local residents
- Ngwenya glass factory
- Brookwood estate Trout farm
- Hot Air Balloon safaris
Awards which the Forum Homini Hotel & the Roots Restaurant have received
- Eat Out Top 10 Restaurant - 2007/2008
- The Blazon du Chaine des Rotisseurs
- Top 10 deluxe restaurant for Dine 2008
- American Express platinum fine dining award
- Allistaire Lawrence - Winner of the Young Chef's Regional Competition 2008
- Loerie award - 2006 - Gold awarded to Forum Homini in the three dimensional architectural category
- Les Nouvelle 2006 finalist - Unique Spa Concept
- Tourism Grading Accommodation - 5 star grading 2006/2007
- Tourism Grading Food & Beverage - platinum grading 2006/2007
- Tourism Grading Conference centre / MESE - 5 star grading 2007
Letamo Game Farm
The Forum Homini Hotel is situated on the Letamo Game Farm, a unique area in Gauteng. This location comprises of a few habitats such as Savannah, Bushveld, Acacia forest, Natural Wetlands, Koppies, Riverine habitat, Rocky outcrops and Dams. This allows a variety of wild animals that roam freely in the area such as Kudu, hippo, Waterbuck, Gemsbok, Black Wildebeest, Blesbuck, Duiker, Eland, Impala, Red Hartebeest, Springbuck, Zebra, Ostrich, Jackal, Caracal, Honeybadger, Cape Fox, Genets, Aardwolf, Bushbaby, Porcupine, Tortoises, Mongooses and more. Bird life is abundant and includes various species such as Owls, Hawks, Eagles, Fish Eagle, Geese, Kingfishers, Bee Eaters to name a few. Over 160 species have been spotted on Letamo Game Farm.
As the hotel is designed to blend into the environment, the landscaping was a very important aspect of the project. The landscapers made use of small walkways and used an abundance of endemic plants (140 species to be exact) that naturally occur in the area to create a unique effect.
Access and Transfers
Situated in the Cradle of Humankind, northwest of Johannesburg, the Forum Homini is accessible from Johannesburg on the N1 South (Western Bypass). Take the 14th Avenue off ramp and turn right at the traffic lights, passing under the highway and turning right again onto Hendrik Potgieter Road (M47). Follow this road until you get to the R28/N14 Intersection where you will see a Sasol Garage. Continue straight over the traffic lights and the M47 becomes the N14 to Ventersdorp. From here the road is signposted. Travel approximately 6 kilometres and turn right at the Bartlett Road turnoff. Follow the signs to the gate.
If coming from Pretoria side, take the N14 from Pretoria until you get to the R28/N14 Intersection. The Sasol Garage will be in front of you. Turn right continuing on the N14 to Ventersdorp and from here the road is sign posted. Travel approximately 6 kilometres and turn right at the Bartlett Road turnoff. Follow the signs to the gate.
Room Types
Situated on a private game estate in the heart of the Cradle of Humankind, one of the world's most famous heritage sites, Forum Homini is an architectural masterpiece set in a solemn and poetic landscape, with sweeping views of the highveld abound from luxury suites with roofs covered in African veld, this allows for an almost cave–like experience.
Luxury Suites: 12
All 12 luxury suites are carved into the landscape blending into the African savannah. The suites are complete with fireplaces and stalactite lights. The king size bed has voluptuous pillows and is enveloped in a romantic silk canopy and guests enter the outdoor double shower through a waterfall of sparkling coloured beads. A sumptuous bath for two is set in the lounge overlooking the bushveld.
Honeymoon Suite: 1
The honeymoon suite is the perfect romantic setting with voile curtains surround the king size bed and spa bath. Couples have the option to dine in-suite along side the fireplace in the dining room with a bird viewing window. An open door double shower and sumptuous bath for two overlooking the bushveld completes this opulent spacious suite.
Presidential Suite: 1
The presidential suite is the quintessential stately suite! It features a dining/boardroom table which seats up to eight people with spacious lounge and guest bathroom. Double showers look onto a private garden featuring its own splash pool. This suite is ideal for small executive meetings or romantic getaways.
Room amenities and facilities of all room types:
- luxury king–size beds with twin options
- hotel bouquet DSTV, DVD/CD player
- under floor heating and individually controlled air conditioning
- tea and coffee making facilities and mini bar fridge with basic stock
- a full bathroom with 'his and hers' hand wash basins and bath robes
- bath with a view onto the open veld
- indoor/outdoor double door glass shower
- custom made gas fireplaces
- digital safe
- internet connectivity
- direct dial telephone lines local and international
- duvet & extra blankets available
- heated towel rails & hairdryer
Today's Rate:
Single Room: R2500.00
Double Room: R3500.00
Room Amenities
Restaurants
A tantalising, award-winning fine dining experience located on the grounds of the Forum Homini Boutique Hotel. Enjoy a six-course dinner or a four-course breakfast or lunch carefully prepared by the renowned chef and his team.
The Roots gourmet restaurant at the Forum Homini Hotel is renowned as one of Johannesburg’s top fine dining restaurants. Indulge in delectable dishes inspired by French, African and Asian influences.
The team create new menus daily. Dinner is six-course, lunch four-course and breakfasts four- course. Gourmet dishes are served with wine teasers to compliment each dish. The wine cellar boasts wines handpicked from top South African wine estates. Five-course Saturday brunches & six- course Sunday lunches are highly popular and reservations are essential.
Sharing exquisite food and wine inside roots, or al fresco on the sun deck, with views over the lake and the veld, must be one of the most delightful thing one can do. The roots food and wine concept sets a new benchmark in South Africa cuisine.
Awards
The Roots Restaurant at the Forum Homini Hotel has recently received prestiges awards and accolades, which include:
- top 10 restaurant in South Africa - eat out 2008 & 2009
- top 10 fine dining restaurant of the year - dine 2008 wine magazine
- platinum award - American Express 2007/2008
- Le Blazon de la Chaine des Rôtisseurs
- platinum tourism grading
Wine Tasting
The wine tasting evenings at the roots restaurant are normally on the first Friday of each month and some months the third Friday. Wine makers present a selection of their superior wines to our guests while the chefs create a course-matched dinner to compliment each wine. These entertaining evenings are spent in the company of passionate wine makers and wine lovers who share a common enthusiasm for food and wine.
The Wine Cellar at Forum Homini
The wine cellar stocks some of the top South African wines carefully handpicked to suit the style and concept roots.
Ataraxia Wine Estate
region: Hermanus
winemaker: Kevin Grant
link: http://www.ataraxiawines.co.za
Bouchard Finlayson Wine Estate
region: Hermanus
winemaker: Peter Finlayson
link: http://www.bouchardfinlayson.co.za/
Cederberg Wine Estate
region: Cederberg
winemaker: Dawid Niewoudt
link: http://www.cederberg.co.za/
Ernie Els Wine Estate
region: Stellenbosch
winemaker: Louis Strydom
link: http://www.ernieelswines.com/
Hamilton Russell Wine Estate
region: Hermanus
winemaker: Hannes Storm
link: http://www.hamiltonrussellvineyards.co.za/
Hermanuspietersfontein Wine Estate
region: Hermanus
winemaker: Bartow Eksteen
link: http://www.hpf1855.co.za/
Oak Valley Wine Estate
region: Elgin
winemaker: Pieter Visser
link: http://www.oakvalley.co.za/
Rust & Vrede Wine Estate
region: Stellenbosch
winemaker: Coenie Snyman
link: http://www.rustenvrede.com/
Saronsberg Wine Estate
region: Tulbach
winemaker: Dewaldt Heyns
link: http://www.saronsberg.co.za/
Springfield Wine Estate
region: Robertson Valley
winemaker: Abrie Bruwer
link: http://www.springfieldestate.com/
Waterford Wine Estate
region: Stellenbosch
winemaker: Francois Haasbroek
link: http://www.waterfordestate.co.za/
Weltevrede Wine Estate
region: Robertson Valley
winemaker: Philip Jonker
link: http://www.weltevrede.co.za
Address: Letamo Game Estate, Bartlet Road, Kromdraai, Mogale City, South Africa
Activities
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The Maropeng Interpretation Centre is an exciting, world-class exhibition, focusing on the development of humans and our ancestors over the past few million years, in an entertaining and educative way.
On arrival, visitors see a massive burial mound called the Tumulus, which is the entrance to learning the secrets of our ancestry.
The development of Maropeng was based on the theme of discovery. At the entrance to Maropeng seven concrete columns signifying the centre. The marketplace and an amphitheatre are sunken into the ground, and this too is buried. The hi-tech and futuristic architecture of the Tumulus resembles the evolution from stone age to modern age.
Visitors are offered the rare opportunity to tour some of the world's most important and richest pre-human fossil sites, these include Swartkrans, Kromdraai, Coopers B and Wonder Cave.
Private Palaeo Tours visits up to three hominid fossil sites within The Cradle with lectures by research palaeonthologists from the University of Witwatersrand who are always keen to explain and discuss the fossil findings – and to discuss theories and insights about human origins.
Enquire with Palaeo Tours directly:
- Tel: 011 726 8788
- www.palaeotours.com
Finding the almost complete skull of an adult proto-human, now known as Mrs Ples, in 1947 put Dr Robert Broom and the Sterkfontein Caves on the world map. Clocking in at almost 4 million years old Little Foot is a million years younger than Mrs Ples but getting as well known.
The almost complete ape-man skeleton were found by Ronald Clarke and Phillip Tobias in 1995 and is still being chipped out carefully to remove it safely from the dolomite in which it was protected for so many millennia. Open to all visitors is Sterkfontein Caves itself where guided tours are available on every half an hour.
Hot air ballooning
Hot air ballooning incorporating breakfast, a game drive at Rhino and Lion nature reserve.
contact: 011 793 5782 or www.air-ventures.co.za
Brookwood Trout Farm
Trout fishing open 7 days a week
contact: 082 856 2448 or www.brookwood-troutfarm.co.za
Cradle Carr Tours
For tours and transport in and around the Cradle of Humankind and Gauteng area
contact: 082 724 1043 or www.cradlecarrtours.co.za
Danielsrust Game Farm
For those adventurous enough for quad biking, paint ball, horse riding, clay pigeon shooting or archery
contact: 082 891 8365 or www.danielsrust.co.za
Lesedi Cultural Village
The Lesedi African Lodge and Cultural village awaits those willing to participate in an adventure that reveals the mystical cultures and traditions of the people of Africa, steeped in tribal folklore and ancestral traditions.
contact: www.lesedi.co.za
Maropeng & Sterkfontein caves
- Official visitor centre for The Cradle of Humankind
- interactive museum about evolution
- world famous caves where the mrs ples and little foot fossils were found
- contact: 011 668 9000 or www.maropeng.co.za
Palaeo Tours
Offer private visits to three hominid fossil sites within The Cradle and palaeontologists are on-hand to discuss the fossil findings
contact: www.palaeotours.com
Rhino and Lion Nature Reserve
- game viewing
- pay with the cubs in the animal crèche
- wondercaves
- stargazing
- contact: 011 9570109 or www.rhinolion.co.za
Wild Cave Adventures
Abseiling followed by 1.5 hour cave adventure. All equipment supplied
contact: 011 956 6197 or www.wildcaves.co.za
Wonder Caves
Cave tour (on Lion and Rhino nature reserve)
contact: 011 957 0106/0109
Conferences / Events
The discreet conference facilities at the exclusive Forum Homini Hotel are ideal for high end management, strategic or brain-storming sessions. After hours delegates can gather in the lounge, or sit on the deck to enjoy a sundowner.
Full and half day packages are available. The meeting areas are equipped with state of the art equipment and wifi in all meeting and public areas. A variety of breakaway areas also allows for relaxing and stimulating discussions.
Smaller conferences of 6 - 18 are catered for in the private boardroom and media centre. The Forum seats 20 – 100 delegates, depending on the style. Entertainment and team building sessions can be arranged.
The Forum
The larger conference area, The Forum at the Forum Homini Hotel is perfect for group sessions, launches or even wedding receptions. On entering you can not overlook the modern Picasso style Mural by Paul du Toit titled “The Purple Hominid”. Stainless steel and copper lights reminiscent of DNA double helix which tells the story of the “Bright Gene” a small piece of code which made us survive and dominate the earth.
Wall to wall curtains cover the glass doors leading onto the amphitheatre. The double sided drop down screen both for inside or outside viewing provides a specialized touch to this venue.
Number of delegates/ seating capacities:
- school room style 40-50
- cocktail 120
- u-shape style 40
- cinema style 80
- banquet style 80
Standard conference equipment:
- wifi
- data projector
- drop-down screen
- tv/dvd/video
- flip chart
- sound equipment
- internet connection
- copy/fax services
The Boardroom
The main focus of the boardroom is the vibrant painting "Giant Leap" by Paul du Toit, which resembles the evolution of man. Comic-like faces are boldly outlined and detailed in black. Naive child-like figures painted in flat bright colours are reminiscent of Picasso.
Forum Homini
Hopes this painting will be used as the veritable icebreaker for our delegates, as they try and identify the personalities within the painting! The boardroom table is custom-made by Pierre Cronje and made of warm kiaat. Inlayed with a lighter shade which creates an interesting border with high-gloss finish.
Number of delegates:
- boardroom style 8-20
Standard conference equipment:
- wifi
- data projector
- drop-down screen
- dvd/video
- flip chart
- internet connection
- copy/fax services
The Media Centre
Informal setting overlooking the lake with bird island creates the perfect meeting place to stimulate discussion and creative thinking at the Media Centre of the Forum Homini Hotel. Up to date sound system and flat screen TV perfect for presentations, meetings or informal gatherings.
Number of delegates / seating capacities:
- boardroom style 6-10
- cocktail style 25
Standard conference equipment:
- wifi
- flat screen tv with vga-port
- dvd/video
- flip chart
- internet connection
- copy/fax services
Services
Useful Links
Accreditations
The Roots Gourmet Restaurant at the Forum Homini Hotel has received prestiges awards and accolades, which include:
- top 10 restaurant in South Africa - eat out 2008 & 2009
- top 10 fine dining restaurant of the year - dine 2008 wine magazine
- platinum award - American Express 2007/2008
- Le Blazon de la Chaine des Rôtisseurs
- platinum tourism grading
Additional awards:
- Eat out Top 10 restaurant in South Africa for the third year running
- 2010 American Express Platinum fine dining restaurant
- 2009 ROCCI Restaurant Business of the Year - Gold
