Remote Villas Space. Miles of it. Empty of people, other than those hand-chosen by you. A remote retreat is the most replenishing place on earth, with nothing to distract from the aim of every great holiday: to utterly relax and reconnect with friends and family. Our Remote Villas offer that rare combination: a rarified escape from the hustle and bustle of the civilized world, but not at the expense of the comforts that make it so: beautifully appointed indoor and outdoor spaces, beds dressed in quality linen, bathrooms with deep tubs and high-pressure showers, and kitchens equipped for gourmet entertaining. Who would have thought feeling marooned could bring such pleasure?
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Mount Anderson R anch
E
very trout fisherman owes it to himself to
species wheel overhead. And unlike the busier re-
fish the crystal-clear streams and pools
serves near the Kruger, Mount Anderson offers the
of the Drakensberg, one of Africa’s most
kind of serenity that comes with real space, with
impressive mountain ranges, at least once. And
every guest enjoying an effective 1000 hectares
what better place to cast your line than from Mount
to themselves! Furnished in the English country
Anderson, a pristine 8000-hectare mountain
manor style, the ranch is a comfortable perch from
reserve, tucked away on the northern Escarpment.
which to observe the tiered trout ponds into which
Giving rise to three major rivers, making it a seri-
mountain streams empty, and the soothing sound
ous catchment area for the nearby Kruger, Mount
of running water is ever present. It’s a boon for
Anderson is not only a haven for piscine species,
bird lover, mountain biker, horse rider and hiker
but mountain zebra, wildebeest, ostrich, baboons
alike, but should the natural beauty overwhelm,
and various antelope species graze on its grass-
Dullstroom’s boutique restaurants and charming
and flower-carpeted slopes, while some 200 bird
shops lie under two hours away.
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AT A GLANCE LOCATION: Drakensberg Escarpment, Mpumalanga. SLEEPS: 8 in 3 double rooms and 1 twin bedded room.
Here every guest enjoys an effective 1000 hectares all to themselves.
LIVING SPACES: The main lounge area—an English-style drawing room arranged around a central hearth—is located in the heart of the house, and leads into the formal dining room where the large antique table seats 10 guests comfortably. The 2nd lounge is less formal and leads onto the verandah that overlooks the trout ponds. The 79 URRP OHDGV Rſ WKH ELOOLDUG URRP )LUHSODFHV ZDUG Rſ WKH FKLOO\ ZLQWHU afternoons or evenings; the house is also temperature controlled. BEDROOM CONFIGURATION: The master bedroom with 2 en-suite bathrooms (one with a shower and separate tub, the other with a walkin cupboard and tub) is situated in the main house. Like all the double rooms, furnishing comprises an extra-length king-size bed and a ! bed. Large sash windows provide views over the ponds and surrounding mountains. Two further en-suite bedrooms are located adjacent and separate to the main house; deep windows with lovely views. A smaller but comfortable en-suite
(shower only) twin-bedded room OHDGV Rſ WKH NLWFKHQ WKLV LV LGHDO IRU au pairs, children or tour leaders. OUTDOOR/FACILITIES: The veranda is a wonderful spot for afternoon tea, and to watch the sun setting RYHU WKH PRXQWDLQV $ %%4 DUHD Rſ the formal dining room is ideal for winter lunches or summer evenings. Lunches are eaten on the verandah whilst dinner is served in the dining rooms. There is no swimming pool but guests can dip in the ponds. SERVICES: 7ZR IXOO WLPH VWDſ members—a husband and wife team—are on hand to service the house and provide all meals DQG VQDFNV WHD DQG FRſHH (delivered to your bedrooms in the mornings), washing and ironing as well as drives and sundowners in the 8 000 ha reserve. Fishing, mountain biking, riding instruction and trips to surrounding areas are also all included in the rate. SURROUNDS: Part of the 1000kmlong Drakensberg range, Mount Anderson is natural haven with plenty of wildlife, though no predators, making it safe to explore. Aside IURP ƀVKLQJ DQG KLNLQJ WKH UHVHUYH has mountain-biking and horseriding trails (and bikes and horses!). The quaint historic town of Pilgrims Rest and Dullstroom’s restaurants lie within a 2-hour radius.
81
Oceana Villa E
very year the continent draws its hinterland population to the coastline, where we pause like lemmings on the shore
to stare into the vast and beautiful space of the ocean. It’s a view we are used to sharing, which is what makes Oceana Villa so special. One of the last remaining places on the continent to offer a thrilling combination of beach, bush and game, Oceana Villa enjoys that most magical of settings: a truly private perch above a 7km stretch of deserted beach, surrounded by a wild, untamed tract of coastline that stretches far beyond the eye can see. So remote and unpolluted, it feels as if you’re a million miles from civilization, yet with all the luxuries a pampered urbanite expects: a private chef to ensure personalised, gourmet dining; discreet housekeeping to match your pace; your own game guide and vehicle to explore at leisure, and an on-call spa therapist to ensure that you really are thorougly relaxed. And who would not be, with kilometres of empty coast at your disposal, trails through pristine natural bush to view land-based mammals, or the option of simply lying about, watching dolphin pods and breaching whales from your private vewing deck, sundowner in hand.
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AT A GLANCE LOCATION: Oceana Beach & Wildlife Reserve, near Port Alfred, Eastern Cape. SLEEPS: 6 in 3 doubles. Additional children sharing can be accommodated. LIVING SPACES: The main living space (loungecum-dining area with bar and kitchen) is ORFDWHG RQ WKH JURXQG Ć RRU DQG OHDGV RXW RQWR the deck with private, heated plunge pool. Stairs lead upstairs to a secondary lounge. BEDROOM CONFIGURATION: Three large en-suite bedrooms furnished with four-poster beds, each leading out to a private viewing deck. Each with sleeper couch to accommodate one child or two children sharing. All bathrooms feature separate shower and Jacuzzi bath. All bedrooms have both A/C and XQGHUĆ RRU KHDWLQJ 79 '9' DQG &' SOD\HU and minibar. OUTDOOR/FACILITIES: Oceana Villa guests enjoy access to all the facilities shared by Oceana Reserve guests. These include: Fully-equipped spa; health centre and gym; swimming pool with kids area; games room ZLWK SRRO WDEOH VKXĆƒH ERDUG PRYLH WKHDWUH free internet usage; boma area for outdoor drinks and/or dining; library; cigar humidor. SERVICES: Rates are inclusive of all meals, selected beverages, Port Elizabeth and East London transfers, as well as game drives, bush and beach walks. Aside from a private chef you will have your own game guide and vehicle. On-call spa therapist. NEIGHBOURHOOD: Situated on a wildlife reserve embracing a 7km beach, Oceana Villa RĹżHUV D UDUH FRPELQDWLRQ RI EXVK DQG EHDFK tracking an array of wildlife species ranging from the thrilling prehistoric-looking rhino, WR WKH QLPEOH DQG FRORXUIXO SDUURW Ć€VK :LWK QR VHW LWLQHUDU\ DQG VWDĹż FRPSOHWHO\ DW \RXU disposal, you are free to set your own pace, going on game drives, snorkelling the ocean, or nipping into Port Alfred for a round of golf, or a spot of shopping.
83
C
Tamarina Villas hecklist: excellent golfing, pris-
And if that isn’t relaxing enough, a spa
tine beaches, warm ocean, moun-
treatment in the privacy of your own villa
tain views, gourmet food, great
is the perfect way to end the day, whether
spa—on an island. Welcome to Tamarina!
spent on estate’s greens or golden sands.
Comprising just over 200 undulating
Influenced by the island’s French colonial
green hectares on the west coast of the
architecture, Tamarina Villas are available
island of Mauritius, Tamarina combines
in three or four-bedroom units scattered
a superb Rodney Wright-designed golf
throughout the estate, all sharing the
course with a shoreline lapped by gentle
elegant essentials you expect in your holi-
waves—a sound to lull even the most in-
day home, such as top-drawer crockery
sufferable insomniac into deep catatonia.
and glassware, and a butler to serve them.
84
The villas have all the essentials, like quality crockery and glasswear, and a butler to serve them.
AT A GLANCE LOCATION: Tamarin Bay, West Coast, Republic of Mauritius. SLEEPS: 8 adults in 4 doubles or 6 adults in 3 doubles. (Additional beds for children sharing may be added.) LIVING SPACES: The open-plan living and dining room (seating 6 or 8, depending on villa) opens onto a similarly sized and furnished exterior living area under a covered veranda in front of the pool. Living and dining room area generally separate the kitchen from the bedrooms. The kitchen is well equipped for in-home entertaining, and there is a separate laundry. BEDROOM CONFIGURATION: All bedrooms are en-suite. Master bedroom opens onto private patio; en-suite bathroom has tub and separate shower. All the other bedrooms open onto a veranda and feature tub and/or shower. OUTDOOR/FACILITIES: Large terrace with living and dining furniture. Private garden and pool. BBQ equipment available. With great views
of Tamarin Bay, and set around a large swimming pool, the estate’s Beach Club provides an alternative to your private terrace. There are also two restaurants on the estate. 6L[ WHH RĹżV SHU SHUVRQ SHU ZHHN DUH included in the rate. SERVICES & SECURITY: Serviced daily. Own butler. 24/7 security with regular patrols. NEIGHBOURHOOD: Villa residents can request shopping service, delivered direct to villa, or in-house catering. Tamarina Estate is 10 minutes from the commercial centre of 2 villages (Tamarin & Flic HQ )ODF ZLWK VKRSV EDQNV DQG Ć€OOing stations. The estate is located 25 km south of the capital PortLouis and 45 minute drive from the island’s airport. A great family outing—the 14-ha Casela Nature Park, host to more than a 1000 ELUGV RI ĆˆĆŒĆ‡ GLĹżHUHQW VSHFLHV DV well as animals like the Mauritian Macaque, tigers, lions, lemurs, ostriches and giant tortoises—lies a short distance away.
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This African Villas brochure has been produced by Icon Villas and is a first for the South African Villa Stay market. We wish to thank all our Villa owners for creating the superb spaces on these pages. ICON VILLAS Icon Villas comprises an all South African team that provides handpicked and gorgeous properties, predominantly villas, along with a full concierge service to the well-heeled traveller wanting space and privacy that only a Villa Stay can offer. Icon Villas is the only South African Villa Specialist offering top-end villas throughout South Africa and offer a high level of personal service; as such they were recently recognised as the top villa rental specialist in Africa by the prestigious Condé Nast Traveler magazine in the US. 301 Buitenkloof Studios, 8 Kloof Street, Cape Town, South Africa T: 0861 VILLAS (845 527) or +27 21 424 0905 or +27 82 872 4057, F:+27 21 424 5694 info@iconvillas.travel, www.iconvillas.travel ICON CONCIERGE SERVICES We love our country and our continent, and it is our sincere desire to ignite the same passion in you. As with every holiday, you will be faced with a plethora of choices – where to eat, what to do, where to shop, where to go and how… We are here to help in any and every way we can with a concierge team that includes seasoned travel writers immersed in the local scene throughout Southern Africa, providing you with insider advice on how best to spend your time and money, depending on your unique and personal interests. Whether it’s a special occasion, a special dietary requirement, a specialist shop or wine or spa, or simply a multitude of special experiences, we are at your service, and look forward to hosting you in our extraordinary country! THE BROCHURE TEAM Publisher: Therese Botha Editor: Pippa de Bruyn Co-ordination: Louise Hamman Art Direction: Francois Botha Layout & Design: Hanneke du Toit Admin: Johanita Von Lieres Martie Viljoen Map Illustration: Johan Horn Photography:
Fuji Image Studios, www.fujistudios.co.za Andrew Brauteseth, www.andrewbrauteseth.co.za Will Punt, Peartree; info@peartree.co.za (Mosselberg & Llundudno Beach Villa) Elsa Young 072 846 2967 (Hoëveld Villa)
Printing:
Trident Press