South Africa's Luxury Scene Thrives

 

 

From the inland capital, Johannesburg, to soaring Cape Town and seafront Durban, South Africa is thriving culturally and economically. Investment in infrastructure for the 2010 FIFA World Cup added airports, highways, stadiums, hotels and chic malls. Travelers relish the adolescent country’s sophistication, world-class cuisine, art, service and…safaris. 

South Africa Tourist Information

Currency

South Africa uses the rand; dollars are accepted in major cities.

Credit Cards

Credit cards are widely accepted.

Activities

Golf, tennis, watersports, hiking and safaris.

Language

English is widely spoken; many speak Zulu.

Food & Wine

International cuisine reflects great products; Braai, South African barbecue, is very popular as are great Cape Winelands wines.

  

The Saxon Boutique Hotel, Villas and Spa, Johannesburg’s most exclusive hotel, sits on a lush six-acre estate adjacent to Sandton, “Africa’s richest square mile.” The 53-suite, former residence of Nelson Mandela—where he edited Long Walk to Freedom—has twin, curved staircases and a glass-domed entry and showcases contemporary African art and artifacts. Spacious 800- to 2000-square-foot suites provide complimentary laptops and international adaptor outlets. Contact Sales and Marketing Administrator Linda Pereira ([email protected]; 011-27-11-292-6000) for top butler-served rooms: the Nelson Mandela Platinum Suite and one- (Presidential) and two-bedroom (Platinum) suites within new-in-2010 three villas each with its shared lounge, dining area and splash pool. This local destination has a bi-level, six-treatment room spa which offers a signature sound treatment on a heated waterbed. Contact Wesley ([email protected]). Head Concierge Denzilthe Arendse ([email protected]; 011-27-11-292-6000) can arrange transportation to OR Tambo International Airport where private jets land. 

Ellerman HouseCape Town’s posh, mountainside boutique hotel, just 10 minutes from the V&A Waterfront—displays the owner’s South African art collection throughout and in a private, contemporary gallery. The nine-room former private villa houses top seaview suites (Ellerman Suite No. 7 or East Wing Suite No. 11) while the Ellerman Villa spoils up to 10 guests with a private entrance, butler, chef, staff and spa. Circular stairs and elevator connect sleeping and main floors in the three-story structure where the best room is the glass-walled Acqua; this room and Lilac share the upper balcony’s panoramic view. Two smaller rooms are adjacent to the two-treatment room spa. Contact Sales and Marketing Manager Lindsy Morais ([email protected]; 011-27-21-430-3200) to book this, divide it, or reserve in a new villa slated for 2013. Exclusive to guests only are the 7500 bottles of South African wine selection and Cuban and Dominican cigars. Concierge Mitch Terry ([email protected]) books the courtesy car (upon availability), tours to Cape Winelands and Cape of Good Hope, adventures and vintage car drives. Contact General Manager Ella Cuyler at ella @ellerman.co.za.

Le Quartier Français, a charming Relais & Châteaux complex—with its rose-clustered courtyard, swimming pool and mountain views—is the best small country inn in the Cape Winelands. Its newly redecorated fine dining restaurant, The Tasting Room, casual bar and eatery and art gallery are on Franschhoek’s Main Street among boutiques and galleries (about 45 minutes from the Cape Town airport). Auberge Rooms No. 17 and No. 19 have child-friendly loft rooms and two bathrooms. The Four Quarters (FQ1-FQ4) are butler-serviced family suites overlooking a pool deck fitted with lounges, kitchens and double-sink bathrooms (most rooms are handicapped ready). Contact Auberge coordinator Louise du Valle ([email protected]; 011-27-21-878-448) for reservations up to six months in advance. General Manager Linda Coltart ([email protected]; 011-27-21-876-2151) arranges events, vintage cars, cooking classes and helicopter access in the family vineyard. Concierge Jenene Batts ([email protected]; 011-27-21-876-2151) books adult or child treatments in the one-room spa. 

Saxon Boutique Hotel‘s Nelson Mandela Platinum Suite
Saxon Boutique Hotel‘s Nelson Mandela Platinum Suite comes with a lounge, dining area and splash pool.

The gleaming white Oyster Box is situated beachfront, 10 miles from Durban’s King Shaka International Airport and near a private helicopter landing. Fabulous public bars and dining options attract locals while guests retreat to enormous suites. The Presidential Suite (No. 014) has a dedicated butler; butler service is available upon request in the Sea Facing Deluxe Suites (Nos. 004 and 005) and Sea Facing Luxury Suites (Nos. 009, 114, 214, 304 and 313), footsteps from the Indian Ocean. Families vie for Superior Garden Villas (Nos. 015, 016, 017, 018, 019, 020, 021 and 022), some duplex, most with double sinks. Contact Reservations Manager Candice Stanley ([email protected]) for rooms and Ginny Eslick ([email protected]; 011-27-82-414-0265) for weddings and events. Jemma du Preez ([email protected]; 011-031-514-5072/71) books treatments in the exquisite, multistoried, stand-alone 62,000-square-foot spa, which boasts an extraordinary hammam. General Manager Wayne Coetzer ([email protected]) is at the ready; Terence Rice and Stephen Rowley will schedule deep-sea fishing, tours and game drives. E-mail [email protected] or call  011-031-514-5003 for details. 

Advisor Insight:

Robert Malmberg ([email protected]), president of Malmberg Travel, says this of South Africa: “It is fabulous! It has everything: culture, tradition, elegance, sophistication, not to mention the beaches, the mountains, the food, the wines, and last but not the least: the people. In the luxury travel business, we focus on delivering a memorable experience to our customers.”

 

&Beyond provides world-class safari adventures at Phinda Private Game Reserve on a 56,000-acre tract three hours north of Durban. The oh-so-private conservation development is dedicated to restoring and managing wildlife populations and providing clinics, classrooms and employment to adjacent communities from which it leases portions of the 30-mile by 5- to 10-mile preserve. Six lodges, set miles from each other, provide 61 accommodations. General Manager Jane Braack recommends &Beyond Phinda Homestead—the luxurious four-suite, sole-use villa with its own indoor and outdoor dining and lounging areas, a pool—where elephants sometimes come to drink—a fitness facility and staff, including innkeeper Nicci, ranger Mark, tracker Skampu, plus the chef, pastry chef, butler and housekeepers. En suite massages incorporate African plants and oils for adults and children. Vlei Lodge has six premium lodgings and two family suites are at the Mountain Lodge. Twice daily, three-hour safaris give an opportunity to watch Africa’s Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino) and 415 bird species. Excursions to the Indian Ocean include sea adventures. Travel advisors can contact &Beyond Group Sales Manager Shaun Strydom ([email protected]; 011-27-11-809-4300) or &Beyond Manager of Groups Division Vanessa Botha ([email protected]; 011-27-11-809-4300) for group reservations. Private jets land at King Shaka International Airport in Durban; small aircraft use the Phinda airstrip. 

 

Cape Winelands
Le Quartier Français is the best small country inn in the Cape Winelands.

 

Oyster Box Presidential Suite
Oyster Box Presidential Suite has two lavish marble bathrooms—his and hers—with hers offering unsurpassed sea views.

 

Ellerman Villa
Ellerman Villa‘s best room is the glass-walled Acqua, which along with Lilac share the upper balcony’s panoramic view.