Cape
Grace
Cape Town
Overlooking the yacht basin in the heart of the fashionable Victoria and Albert Waterfront, the Cape Grace is perfectly located for touring and relaxing. Rooms are spacious and elegantly furnished, with thoughtful extras like fresh flowers, a selection of African themed books, and fresh milk delivered every morning. The hotel also has an exceptional spa, featuring African-inspired healing treatments, reflexology, facials, and more. We suggest joining other guests at the hotel for Cape Grace’s wine tasting and orientation at 6:00 every evening, an informal and relaxing time to taste a selection of Cape wines while gaining insight into the rich history and culture of the Western Cape.
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Ellerman
House
Cape Town
Once a stately private residence, the Ellerman House has been meticulously
restored and transformed into a luxury boutique hotel with modern amenities
and unrivaled hospitality. Staying true to its elegant history, the library,
dining room and hallways are decorated with tasteful antiques and South
African art, giving the hotel the feeling of a very luxurious home away
from home. Eleven rooms are each individually designed with antique furnishings,
draperies and the finest linens. The Ellerman Suite is by far the most exclusive
room, providing guests with their own private wraparound balcony offering
a panoramic ocean view and direct access to the garden terraces and pool
area.
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The
Saxon
Johannesburg
Upon his release from imprisonment, Nelson Mandela chose to seek refuge
at the Saxon -- perhaps he was pleased to be surrounded by the contemporary
African décor and ethnic art, or maybe he simply appreciated the deep luxury
and serenity offered by this deluxe boutique property. Indeed, the Saxon
has become the hotel of choice for visiting luminaries and local dignitaries.
Set in six acres of landscaped gardens, the modern exterior of the hotel
is an elegant gray that belies the bright, open interior. Inside, the rooms
have an airy, sun-drenched feel with light-colored fabrics, honey-blond
wood floors, and large bay windows offering expansive views. Guests can
enjoy the cigar lounge, spa, restaurant, or the truly impressive 920 square
meter infinity swimming pool.
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Birkenhead House
Hermanus
Only an hour and a half from Cape Town,
Birkenhead House perches delicately on the cliffs of Walker Bay in nearby Hermanus. Designed
to showcase the beauty of the coastal setting, most of the spacious sea-facing
suites offer ocean views and each is individually decorated with maritime
antiques. The super-deluxe honeymoon suite has a private pool and patio
area with panoramic vista and ocean views. The dual-level main swimming pool
is located in a sheltered courtyard and a spa features an array of massage,
reflexology, and aromatherapy treatments. Guests can feast on fresh daily
seafood and world-class cuisine with a variety of fine South African wines
served in the elegant dining room or on the open-air terrace.
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Tintswalo
Safari Lodge
Limpopo Province
Located within Mayeleti Reserve in Limpopo Province, Tintswalo offers access to both the Sabi Sand and Kruger National Park but is remote enough to avoid the crowds of vehicles that can plague other areas. The air-conditioned suites are situated along the banks of the seasonal Nwaswitsontso River and each is beautifully decorated in a colonial style meant to evoke the turn-of-the-century explorers. We especially loved the thoughtful layout of the rooms, which provide maximum privacy, as well as the variety of venues where excellent food is served. The ranger team, a husband and wife, are professional and knowledgeable, making the game drives a joy. Be sure to take a treatment at the spa – but don’t be surprised if a curious elephant strolls by to see what’s going on!
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Royal
Malewane
Kruger
The fact that the word "royal" is in its name should be a giveaway: guests
here are literally treated like kings and queens. Along the western edge
of Kruger National Park, the luxurious Royal Malewane has played host to
a bevy of celebrities and rock stars who, like every guest, appreciate the
privacy, opulence, and discreet attention they receive. A maximum of 20
guests at one time can enjoy the colonial splendor of the accommodations,
which feature Persian carpets, crisp embroidered linens, antique furniture,
and high four-poster beds draped with airy mosquito netting. A new gym and
spa are available for everyone, and each private suite has a wood terrace,
thatched gazebo, private plunge pool, Victorian-style bath, and indoor and
outdoor showers. Only the lure of consistently excellent game drives and
gourmet food can pull guests from accommodations as sumptuous as those at
Royal Malewane.
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Lion
Sands Ivory Lodge
Family-owned and managed since 1932, the Ivory Lodge is an exclusive luxury
retreat on the Sabie River. The interior of the lodge was decorated using
old African-style décor in a minimalist fashion while incorporating the
most advanced modern amenities. The six indulgent suites each have an en-suite
bathroom, outdoor and inside shower, courtyard, lounge with fireplace, wooden
viewing deck, patio and private plunge pool, where you can take a dip outside
and observe the wildlife or a stunning African sunset. All common areas
and suites of the lodge are linked by a raised wooden walkway, which gives
a bird's eye view onto the Sabie River.
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Singita
Singita’s five lodges, sprinkled through the Sabi Sand Reserve and the Lebombo concession, have garnered a great deal of attention in the press, but they manage to exceed even the high expectations that result from such coverage. Lebombo is Singita's newest property and it is the only Singita lodge that actually lies within the borders of the Kruger National Park, a key advantage that allows the closest proximity to game. Boulders is smaller and more intimate, but has a contemporary, airy feel and holds to the same high standards. Ebony Lodge is the most traditional of the group, with a classic safari style, and Castleton Camp, once a private home, now caters to small groups and families. Sweni Lodge has six suites nestled into the banks of the Sweni River and maintains an intimate, cozy feel.
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Madikwe Hills
Madikwe Private Game Reserve
Nestled deep in the malaria-free Madikwe Game Preserve, the Madikwe Hills
Lodge makes the most of Africa's natural beauty while also giving guests
the ultimate in luxury and pampering. The décor of the lodge blends together natural elements and colors to create a comfortable environment. The eleven ultra-luxurious glass-fronted suites are set among natural boulders and landscaping, and each offers comfortable sofas, overhead fans, in-room minibar, a private verandah and a plunge pool. The lodge also has an elegant restaurant located on an outdoor terrace; the restaurant serves culinary delights and boasts a world-class wine cellar offering top South African vintage wines.
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Limpopo
Even among the crowded landscape and stiff competition of luxury lodges in Africa, Marataba stands out. Located on a large private concession in the heart of Limpopo’s Marakele National Park, Marataba offers exquisite luxury, excellent game viewing, and sensational views of the Waterberg Mountains in a malaria-free environment. We love the many private spots that Marataba offers guests to sit down, nap, read, and enjoy the landscape; the exquisite, adventurous menu (we had Ethiopian food while there!); the relaxed but very professional attitude of the staff; and the rare game that we saw -- including the famously elusive wild dogs -- during our visit. Marataba is a truly outstanding lodge that deserves every bit of the high praise it receives.
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Tswalu Lodge
Kalahari Desert
Exclusivity is the emphasis at this stylish game reserve located on the edge of the Kalahari Desert and surrounded by the rugged Koranneberg Mountains. The reserve has two camps: Tarkuni, in a private area and ideal for a small group or family, and Motse, which translates to ‘African village' and has 8 luxury suites. Designed to blend seamlessly with the desert surroundings, each of the clay, stone and thatched-roof suites has a spacious bedroom, en-suite bathroom with both indoor and outdoor walk-in showers, large private lounge with an open fireplace and a private sun deck overlooking a waterhole. The main area features an outdoor heated swimming pool and pool terrace, well-stocked wine cellar and a cozy library. |
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