TRAVEL

It’s time to fall in love. It’s the month of romance after all. And what better way to honour those you hold dearest than with a mini vacay in the most beautiful city in the world and Africa’s number-one tourist destination? Forgive us Jozi, but Cape Town’s majestic mountainscapes and azure waters that make up the Atlantic Ocean are both inexplicable and incomparable!

The obvious truth is you never regret a trip to the Cape – it’s one of our all-time favourite destinations. But because we’re so spoilt for choice, we’ve brought you our top three personal favourite hotels … and a few extras.

This location deserves five stars and it simply does not get better – the view couldn’t be more perfect, and you’ll never have to look at the same view twice. Just when we thought the hotel couldn’t be improved, the newly renovated hotel now boasts 40 sophisticated designer rooms and suites with endless mountain and sea views.

We were so happy to discover this masterpiece of a hotel because you become immersed in Cape Town’s beauty the minute you arrive. The property just ticks all the right boxes – think a rooftop bar with the towering mountain as a backdrop; a silky turquoise pool overlooking Camps Bay Beach; and royal, spacious and comfortable rooms. It’s intimate and boutique in nature but still of the highest quality and access to the finest dining options.

Hello Pretoria • February 2020 • www.hellopretoria.co.za 32 With an icy G&T in hand as the rose-orange sunset sets, you’ll soon find yourself mesmerised by the surrounding beauty. Here, you won’t need a few days to settle into your holiday – it’s instant. Plus, there’s something about a boutique hotel that makes you feel like you’re at home, which we always appreciate. Surfshack, located just downstairs from your room, is where you can have dinner. Choose from shucked oysters to sesame seared ahi tuna to pan roasted mussels or delve deep into their double smash burger or hot pastrami dog. Otherwise, skip the mains and order their Campfire and Marshmallow dessert: Chocolate, oat cookie crumble, praline ice cream and marshmallows.

Breakfast is served at Bilboa Restaurant (also downstairs) and there is a gorgeous selection of fresh pastries, granola, seasonal fruits, toasts, omelettes and scrambles. But we recommend opting for the Jerusalem bagel with cream cheese smoked salmon and adding an easygoing boiled egg. Oh, and their coconut yoghurt served with homemade carb-clever granola is reason enough to visit this hotel!

After your taste buds are gratified, why not visit the gleaming Marly Spa? It’s a confection of Carrara marble pared down modernist fittings and a menu of top-to-toe face and body treatments from some of the world’s leading spa brands. Thanks to its all-white interiors, slick manicure bar, pedicure stations and four tranquil treatment rooms (where guests can even customise their lighting and music preferences), The Marly Spa is a cocoon of luxury and exclusive comfort. Unique to the Marly Spa are their 30-minute Ling Express Facials. Developed by facialist to supermodels and the stars and owner of Ling New York, Ling Chan, these targeted face treatments provide a guaranteed instant result ... in just 30 minutes.

The Promenade, 201 Victoria Road, Camps Bay m 021 437 1287 K www.themarly.co.za k dm@themarly.co.za Q @themarlyhotel Words Bianca Spinner Images Supplied

Step back in time into the 17th century and embark on a once-in-alifetime travel adventure. What was once a wine estate has now become a much-loved boutique hotel, which offers a cosy experience and allows for a different mindset because of the attention to detail

travel and particular personal touches. For the past 300 years, royalty and captains of industry have graced this wonderland nestled in the timeless Constantia Valley. From Cecil John Rhodes to Mark Twain and Captain Cook, The Alphen Boutique Hotel has always been a purveyor of luxury hospitality in Constantia, thus be assured that at this hotel all your specific desires and needs are catered for. If you’re vegan expect vegan chocolate brownie cookies waiting for you in your suite, if you’re gluten-free expect homemade gluten-free muffins or if you’re travelling with a baby expect a cot, a baby bath plus an organic range of Oh Lief baby products.

All this is set on 11.5 acres of evergreen gardens exploding with hydrangeas and pyramids of trees and lush bush. You could spend hours just gazing at the pretty swimming pool and gorgeous gardens whilst inspecting the local owl family. The rooms also beg to be enjoyed – you have the option of rooms situated amongst three classical heritage manor houses. Each room is exquisitely designed, extremely spacious and deserves to brag about its extra-length king size bed, 300 thread count linen and 100% Egyptian cotton. You’ll be oh-so-pleased!

A few metres away from the hotel you’ll have access to two restaurants: La Belle Bistro & Bakery for breakfast and Blanko for dinner. Beginning your holiday with a La Belle breakfast is a delight in itself – they serve fresh artisanal stone oven breads, buttermilk pancakes, French toast with burnt butter, maple and bacon or smoked salmon trout eggs Benedict all with a side order of brewing coffee or a delicious smoothie or raw juice. And did we mention that La Belle is a bakery too? So, pop in for afternoon tea as well for a delectable carrot drizzle cake, a mouth-watering red velvet baked cheesecake and a classic milk tart.

For dinner at Blanko, which is Italian inspired, they serve an impressive array of superior local wines plus a heavenly carbonara pasta packed with robust flavours and a delicious asparagus risotto. Take note: Pre-dinner we recommend visiting Incognito Bar for a sundowner. It’s the perfect way to end off an idyllic day!

Alphen Drive, Constantia m 021 795 6300 K www.alphen.co.za k reception@alphen.co.za Q @thealphenhotel

Nestled amidst manicured gardens on a malaria-free, 3000-hectare private game reserve a stone’s throw from Modimolle, Monate Game Lodge is the tranquil haven you have been looking for. A less than two-hour drive from Pretoria, it is the venue of choice for a conference, wedding or weekend getaway.

About the venue Monate Game Lodge offers luxurious accommodation in 38 modern double rooms situated at the main lodge. The main lodge rooms are open-plan, en-suite rooms equipped with all amenities to make your stay as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.

Monate’s two bush villas, Shingwedzi and Skukuza are the crown jewels; perfect for the discerning executive and honeymoon couples alike. Decorated in a sophisticated blend of African Colonial antiques, each lodge boasts a private splash pool on the deck. Your own private pool, how amazing?

On the job? Each room ensures that you stay connected with multi-functional outlets, Wi-Fi and wireless telephone facilities. Not in the mood for traffic? The 1100m grass airstrip and helipad accommodates both private and chartered flights.

Monate is home to myriad species of wildlife, including buffalo, giraffes, hippos, zebras, as well as a plethora of antelope and roughly 50% of South Africa’s native bird species, so remember to pack your camera and binoculars.

Meeting space Monate’s state-of-the-art conference centre is close enough to the lodge, yet far enough away to afford you and your guests a tranquil bush business experience. The centre can accommodate up to 120 delegates and is flexible according to your required seating arrangements, with breakaway areas at your disposal.

A smaller conference room is also available, and can accommodate up to 60 people, depending on the seating arrangements required. Both venues are well planned and includes fixed data projectors, screens, airconditioning, a plug-and-play audio-visual system, telephones, wireless microphones and Wi-Fi – everything you’d expect from a fourstar venue with the added bonus of it being in nature.

Dining and F&B Treat yourself to a unique culinary experience in a sumptuous dining venue like the natural cave or the Bush Boma. Monate is also a wildly popular weekend wedding destination, with countless couples choosing to declare their eternal love beneath their Marula or Rock Fig Tree, before entertaining their guests in the Bush Boma.

Good to know... It is impossible to get bored at Monate. They have something for everyone – from game drives, guided bush walks and clay pigeon shooting, to sparkling swimming pools, a jacuzzi and a bar where you can enjoy a drink amongst new friends, or your favourite live sport over the weekend.

Not convinced yet? How about pampering yourself at the new Monate Bush Spa, boasting a variety of treatments including massages? m +27 (0)14 718 7000 1 www.monatelodge.com k info@monatelodge.com

LERIBA HOTEL Nestled on 12 hectares of indigenous forest on the banks of the Hennops River, Leriba Hotel is a haven of natural elegance with luxury accommodation, excellent service and superior facilities. Up to 800 delegates can be accommodated in 19 fully equipped air-conditioned venues here, with the largest of the venues that can accommodate 300 delegates theatre style. The venues are all very well designed with direct access to the indigenous gardens, providing a conference with a difference. 245 End Street, Clubview, Centurion m 012 660 3300 1 www.leriba.co.za  LOVES

CSIR INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION CENTRE Ideally situated close to all the central amenities in Pretoria, easily accessible from all major routes in Gauteng and very competitively priced is Pretoria’s very own dedicated International Convention Centre. The centre offers superb facilities and quality service with conference, function and exhibition venues that can accommodate events of all sizes. Meiring Naude Road, Brummeria m 012 841 3884 1 www.csiricc.co.za

DIEP IN DIE BERG - CONFERENCE & FUNCTION CENTRE Nestled on the slopes of Wapadrand on the edge of Pretoria, Diep in die Berg offers luxurious conference and function facilities amid breathtaking gardens blending into unspoilt indigenous bush. Sumptuous cuisine is prepared by an in-house chef and food can be tailored to specific needs. The venue is only minutes away from the N1 and N4, and 45 minutes from the O.R. Tambo International Airport. 929 Disselboom Street, Wapadrand m 012 807 4630 1 www.diepindieberg.com

ALPINE ATTITUDE BOUTIQUE HOTEL This boutique hotel offers meeting spaces that are suitable for all types of conferences, meetings and banqueting events for anything up to 80 delegates, featuring audio visual, sound and complimentary delegate WiFi. Their Create Conference is a space designed to be surrounded by open garden spaces and serve well as a function, conference or exhibition venue for up to 80 people. Delegates can be inspired to innovative thinking in the conference facilities with African charm, offering all amenities. 522 Atterbury Road, Menlo Park m 012 348 6504 1 www.alpineattitude.co.za

THE WORKSPACE The Workspace offers trendy, modern workspaces that are connected and flexible. Professionals have the freedom of upsizing and downsizing their office space according to their needs with the added benefit of access to meeting facilities and excellent support services. The Workspace boasts a full reception service, meeting rooms, boardrooms, nationwide access to all The Workspace’s branches, tea and coffee facilities and free fibre internet and WiFi. The Club, Pinaster Avenue, Hazelwood m 0861 250 259 1 www.theworkspace.co.za

TRANQUIL, ROMANTIC SURROUNDINGS AND TRADITIONAL SOUTH AFRICAN CUISINE

A sensory EXPERIENCE Our top 5 buys to fragrance every room in the house The best home scents don’t only add some warmth and heavenly aromas to your home, but also make a real difference to your mood – and even help complete the interior of a room. We’ve gathered gorgeous fragrances from candles to diffusers that add plenty of ‘oomph’ to a space for an instant and effortless update.

LIVING ROOM: AFRICOLOGY NEROLI ROOM DIFFUSER From the moment you open the beautiful bottle of this essential oil room diffuser, a rich, floral scent with citrussy overtones fills your space and calms your mind. This is just the thing to make a new house feel like home!. R695 from Africology spas or online at www.africologyspa.com PATIO: THERAVINE OCEANIC ROOM MIST Bring a touch of the ocean to your home with a spritz of this luxurious room spray made with an enticing blend of botanicals – think lemon, cardamom seeds and cedarwood. R210 online from www.theravine.co.za

BATHROOM: THE FRENCH LEMON SIGNATURE SCENT SOY WAX CANDLE Not only is this candle 100% natural, vegan, cruelty-free and eco-friendly, but the warmed oil can be directly massaged into your skin, leaving it soft, smooth and pleasantly scented. R250 (small) or R400 (large) online at www.frenchlemon.co.za

DINING ROOM: SORBET HOME ORIENT ARTISANAL SCENTED CANDLE With notes of musk, vanilla and precious woods, this exotic floral and spicy scented candle will make you feel like you’re having dinner al fresco. R399 from Sorbet salons Hello Pretoria • February 2020 • www.hellopretoria.co.za 36

BEDROOM: VENCASA SENSE FRAGRANCE PACK For sweet dreams, try this fragrance pack that includes a candle, diffuser and pillow spray. Sweet vanilla from Madagascar and dark ember from Persia will lull you to sleep and put you in a better mood. R799 from Vencasa-Tempur showrooms and Vencasa Pillowbars Compiled by Candice May ImagesW Supplied