A heady mix of city ambience and heritage and history combines to make the Taj a refined and elegant hotel experience in the heart of Cape Town. It’s a grand hotel featuring 177 rooms and suites and even though it’s historic, it’s still pretty sexy.
Suites at the Taj feature magnificent views of Table Mountain and St George’s Mall. Some of them are classic while others have a more contemporary feel.
It’s both heated and exotic as the name suggests and you can savor some of the flavour at the local restaurants. The Bombay Brasserie offers fine dining and you can tantalize your taste buds with spicy fish dishes indigenous to the area, paneer tikka from further afield and other delicious morsels. If you’re after flavour that’s not so spicy Mint serves up a bevy of international tastes and flavours. If it’s fresh fish and seafood that takes your fancy you can look forward to an evening of finery at Twanky.
The Jiwa Grande Spa lives up to its name and features Indian relaxation therapies that will both stimulate and soothe.
Visitors can enjoy the natural scenery of the Table Mountain with hikes and rides up the cableway. The city is home to some of the southern hemisphere’s finest boutiques and the V&A Waterfront serves up a shopping extravaganza par excellence.
Cape Town is the second most densely populated city in South Africa and the provincial capital of the Western Cape. It’s also the most popular tourist spot in Africa.
Cape Town enjoys a Mediterranean climate which means dry, hot summers and cool winters with annual rainfall. The area is renowned for its strong south easterly winds, aptly named the ‘Cape Doctor’ for their tendency to clear everything out of the air.
It’s also one of the most bio diverse areas in the world and home to the fynbos floral kingdom which boasts over 2200 plant species.
Knysna in South Africa is part of an area called Eden. A visit there doesn’t require any further explanation, especially once you’ve had a chance to see the idyllic surrounds of this scenic town on South Africa’s Garden Route, which forms the south eastern coast of the country.
Pezula is nestled between the Indian Ocean and the dramatic backdrop of the Outeniqua Mountain Range. It bespeaks luxury and exclusivity and arrival can be arranged via private aircraft or helicopter.
The mood is contemporary Africa at its very best and it’s five star treatment all the way, from the facilities and amenities through to the superb service and attention to small detail. If the beauty of the surrounds and the sun-drenched white beaches can’t lure you in there’s a championship golf course to try your hand at.
A concierge can arrange trips, outings and excursions for you and you can enjoy some quiet introspection at the library if your day isn’t full to capacity.
Unwind at the spa and recharge with a delicious dinner at the award winning Zachary’s Restaurant.
Knysna is built on an estuary which passes through two headlands, known as ‘The Heads’. They have a somewhat treacherous history and have claimed many fishermen and boats over the years.
The Knysna landscape is punctuated by lush rainforest and the floral fynbos kingdom which offers plant life that can’t be found anywhere else in the world. It’s also famed for its golf courses and a lifestyle that appeals to the finer things in life. You can enjoy a challenge at Pezula, Simola or the signature Knysna Golf Course and refresh with some surfing at Buffalo Bay. It’s also home to the fabled Knysna forest elephant and a number of upscale residences. Visitors to the area can enjoy the sumptuous tastes of the annual oyster festival which is held every July in Knysna.
The V & A Waterfront has long been home to some of the most sensational tourist spots in the fairest Cape and is now the resting place of one of Sol Kerzner’s latest luxury offerings, One&Only Cape Town. It’s a show-stopper of a hotel, exactly what you’d expect from one of the world’s leading hoteliers.
It’s bright and exotic Africa at its very best, incorporating dark woods, bright colors and innovative accessories throughout. The finer things, like fresh local fruit and aromatherapy turndowns in your suite prove that the formula for your relaxation has been well thought out before your arrival.
It’s a visual splendour, from the building’s structure through to the lush and lavish surrounds that envelope the hotel. The rooms feature exquisite views of the famous Table Mountain and the hotel is located in one of the trendiest night time and entertainment spots in the world.
Even though Cape Town is brimming with exquisite eateries, two of the city’s finest can be sampled without leaving the confines of the hotel. Michelin awarded chef Nobu Matsuhisa serves up a storm of Japanese and African cuisine at Nobu while local haunt Reuben’s offers a soupcon of South African and Cape Malay cuisine.
You can enjoy pedicures by Bastien Gonzalez, a French podiatrist and soak up the spa experience on an island setting, complete with steam bath, relaxation room and private treatment villas.
One&Only Cape Town is situated half an hour away from Cape Town International Airport.
Table Mountain is Cape Town’s most recognizable landmark and can be viewed with pleasure from One&Only Cape Town. It is flanked by the vertical cliffs Lion’s Head and Devil’s Peak and frequently enjoys cloud cover which hides the surface of the mountain, known as the ‘table cloth’.
It’s part of Table Mountain National Park and has a plateau which is 3 kilometers long.
There’s nothing third world about this big five escape. It might be isolated but it’s the most luxurious lodging you’ll find for many miles.
Molori is for the discerning traveller in search of his own piece of Africa in the most opulent and refined manner. It’s also the best place on the continent to get starry eyed as it is home to the largest private telescope in the southern hemisphere.
It’s luxury in the middle of nowhere surrounded by nature and not your average vacation. You can look forward to oval baths, fresh outdoor showers and private plunge pools as well as gourmet dining experiences under a canopy of African stars, in complete seclusion, of course.
On the wild side there’s game drives in the Madikwe Game Reserve to stop you from getting too lazy. You can enjoy an early morning and late afternoon adventure over hills, mounds and tree trunks with breaks for early morning coffees or afternoon sundowners with spectacular views of sun up or sun down. If that’s too tame there’s the option of the more exhilarating walking safari, something for only the brave of heart.
With only 5 suites in the whole camp, you’re king of Africa for the nights you spend in the bush.
Molori Safari Lodge is situated in the Madikwe Game Reserve, a 75000-hectare park in South Africa’s North West province, close to the Botswana border. It is one of the best places for game viewing in the country, especially Big Five which include lion, elephant, rhino, leopard and buffalo- many of which are endangered or protected species of wildlife due to the high incidences of poaching. Madikwe is also highly regarded for its successful breeding of African wild dog, another highly endangered species. The wild dog groups are one of the most animated features of the African landscape and are a high energy species that hunts ruthlessly and efficiently.
Monte Carlo Beach has been charming visitors since its heyday in the 1930s and the hotel has enjoyed a graceful evolution over the years to ensure it not only keeps up with the times, but sets some of the trends as well.
It’s located along the French Riviera and boasts a wide expanse of tropical gardens, private pool and private beachfront for your leisure.
There are 40 suites and rooms on offer, and they are as stylish as they are comfortable. They are equipped with private balconies for unrivalled views of the majestic and scenic surrounds that attracts many a celebrity and high profile business owner.
The soft muted tones are all in the name of peace and calm and succeed in soothing and relaxing you straight away. You’re in good hands: it’s impeccable, five star service all the way and every facility you can think of.
Recline at the poolside and quench your thirst at Le Deck or pay Vigie Restaurant a visit which serves up scrumptious patio-style fare. Formal black-tie dinners are on offer at Elsa, which prepares you for a night of high rolling if you’re the casino connoisseur.
If you’d prefer a bit more activity then try your hand at beach volleyball, jetskiing or tennis and golf at the Monte Carlo Country Club.
It’s a scenic 20-minute drive from Nice and a few miles away from the beginning of the Italian Riviera.
The Cote d’Azur lies along the Mediterranean coasts of south eastern France and stretches for only around 560 miles, offering a mix of sand and shingle beaches. A number of celebrities and artists have taken up summer residence in the area. Famous artists who found inspiration in the scenic surrounds included Picasso, Matisse, Edith Wharton, Somerset Maugham, and Aldous Huxley.
The Monaco principality is headed up by the Grimaldi family who have ruled since 1297.
