Zimbali Resort Life 2015

Z im ba li R ESO RT L IF E

W IN T ER 20 1 5

Winter 2015 www.zimbaliresortlife.com

Zimbali_Edition2_Cover_F.indd 3

2015/04/23 1:29 PM

TAG HEUER BOUTIQUE

Shop G219 Gateway Shopping Centre 031.566.4452

Untitled-2 1

2015/04/24 11:57 AM

TAG HEUER CARRERA AUTOMATIC DIAMONDS Cara Delevingne challenges rules. Being free-minded is her mot to. Like TAG Heuer, she defies conventions and never cracks under pressure.

Untitled-2 2

2015/04/24 11:58 AM

W W W. S M D G R O U P. C O . Z A 35 Moffat Drive, Ballito 032 946 5600 / 032 946 1391

Zimbali_SMD_AD.indd 1

2015/04/24 9:07 AM

Coffee Shop

Zimbali_SMD_AD.indd 2

2015/04/24 9:07 AM

‘To our Zimbali investors, homeowners and guests: thank you for all the compliments we received on the previous edition.We know that you will get just as much pleasure out of this latest Winter 2015 issue of Zimbali Resort Life magazine.

At Zimbali, we are making excellent construction progress on the Zimbali Suites and the continued Zimbali Vacation Club conversions. Zimbali Lakes is set for take-off in the not too distant future too!

Come and see Zimbali for yourself. Our doors are always open to welcome you’ Werner Burger, CEO, IFA Hotels & Resorts

Published by The Creative Group CEO, THE CREATIVE GROUP Shaun Minnie – shaun.minnie@thecreativegroup.info

EDITOR Michelle Snaddon – michelle.snaddon@thecreativegroup.info

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

CONTRIBUTORS

Mark Peddle

Candice Botha, Charleen Clarke, Richard Holmes, Jocelyn Warrington, Simon Williams

ART DIRECTOR Lucia Viglietti

ACCOUNTS AND FINANCE Nicolette Lubbe

FEATURES EDITOR

+27 (0)11 476 6293

Julia Freemantle

CHIEF COPY EDITOR

PRINTING

Yaron Blecher

Paarl Media Cape

ADVERTISING SALES WESTERN CAPE Michèle Jones Sales and Marketing Manager

Susan Erwee Key Account Manager

michele.jones@thecreativegroup.info +27 (0)84 246 8105

susan.erwee@thecreativegroup.info +27 (0)83 556 9848

GAUTENG Ian Pepler Key Account Manager

ian.pepler@thecreativegroup.info +27 (0)82 465 2734 Yvonne Botha Key Account Manager

Sarah Steadman Key Account Manager

yvonne.botha@thecreativegroup.info +27 (0)82 563 6685

sarah.steadman@thecreativegroup.info +27 (0)82 334 4367

KWAZULU-NATAL Bradley Sparks

bradley.sparks@thecreativegroup.info +27 (0)73 666 3842

ADVERTISING BOOKINGS AND SUBMISSIONS Jackie Maritz Traffic Controller & Production Manager

jackie.maritz@thecreativegroup.info +27 (0)78 133 5211

CAPE TOWN

Michelle Snaddon EDITOR ZIMBALI RESORT LIFE

DISCLAIMER The publisher of this magazine gives no warranties, guarantees or assurances and makes no representation regarding any goods or services advertised within this edition. © The Advertising Joint Venture. All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be reproduced in any form without prior written consent from the publisher. The publishers are not responsible for any unsolicited material.

JOHANNESBURG

Old Castle Brewery, 6 Beach Road,

9-6th Street

Woodstock, 7925

Parkhurst, 2193

+27 (0)21 447 7130

+27 (0)11 476 6293

www.thecreativegroup.info

COVER PHOTOGRAPH: L AR PH OTO GRAPH Y MODELS: BRO N WYN CO PPE Z AN D H ER DAUG H TE R BEL L A

A

s the seasons begin to change, we believe it’s time to savour the good things in life. Curl up and indulge in a few escapist reads, eat delicious meals together and take long walks in the softest coastal light that falls along our shores at this time of year, whether you’re exploring the tropical forest or enjoying the coastal dunes.

And speaking of light, if you’ve been travelling behind many a fast car, you’ve no doubt noticed how much automotive lighting has evolved. As Jaguar’s Adam Hatton put it, ‘lights are the jewellery of a vehicle – they influence the first impressions of a customer’. See page 29 for more on everything from LEDs to lasers and the future of car lighting design, .

But if you’re the type of traveller who’s less fussed about the journey itself and more interested in the destination, you’ll dive right into the photography that transports you into the heart of ‘The Sheltering Desert’, our story on Nambia and three entirely different desert camps (page 38). I’ll wager that Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp, the newest and most impressive, will have you planning your next trip – unless, of course, the sea is your playground. Today’s super-yachts are going places, with Zaha Hadid’s and Igor Lobanov’s concept designs (page 60) taking the idea of a pleasure yacht up a notch. It seems that hotel design is not too far behind either, with hotels of the future (page 70) pushing the boundaries. Imagine checking into a glass-roofed, snowflake-shaped floating hotel in northern Norway, promising the most spectacular viewing of the northern lights. If you can’t wait till it opens in 2017, then you might want to book a pop-up hotel next to your private jet instead.

Dubai is the focus for our golf story, where we compare some of the emirate’s most sought-after greens. Immaculately tended between the skyscrapers, they’re said to be some of the finest on the planet (page 81).

If you’d rather opt for a gourmet experience this winter, I suggest you head for the Cape winelands to explore the rejuvenated Boschendal wine estate (page 49), the hottest food-and-wine destination of the season, before everyone else does!

Please recycle this copy of ZIMBALI RESORT LIFE once you’re done reading it.

0 4 | ZI M BA L I R ESORT L I F E

Zimbali_Welcome_Edition2_FA.indd 4

2015/04/23 1:20 PM

TA097_AD_Rado_HCPlasma_zimbali_240x320mm.indd 1

27.03.15 15:34

Contents

12

20

29 12 .

SU P ER N AT U RA L S Designer Michele Throssell has injected a holiday home with new life via clean lines, easy-going organic shapes and a palette of sun-bleached shades perfect for laid-back beach living

20.

TA KE I T EASY Contemporary and classic elements come together with the common goal of celebrating the lush Zimbali setting

29.

LE D THE RE B E LIGHT Although it plays a functional purpose, the lighting on a car is also one of its defining design characteristics

0 6 | ZI M BA L I R ESORT L I F E

Zimbali_Contents_Edition2_FA.indd 6

2015/04/23 11:06 AM

Elegance is an attitude Simon Baker

Conquest Classic Moonphase

Longines_HQ • Visual: SB1_CC8 • Magazine: Zimbali_Magazine 01_11_2014 (ZA) • Doc size: 240 x 320 mm • Calitho #: 04-15-108134 • AOS #: LON_07598 • VP 20/04/2015

Contents 40

49

60

4O. T H E S H E LT E R I N G D ES E RT Richard Holmes discovers the unspoilt beauty of the Namibian desert at three lodges whose low-key approaches to luxury are a nod to the vast and dramatic landscapes and indigenous wildlife

4 9.

NEW FAC E FO R O LD CA P E FA RMS Luxury accommodation and world-class dining have turned many of the Cape’s historic farms into premier lifestyle and holiday destinations

60.

GOING OVE RBOARD As far as status symbols go, nothing is quite as definitive as a super-yacht. The perfect marriage of engineering and craftsmanship, they also carry a boatload of heritage

0 8 | Z I M BA L I R ESORT L I F E

Zimbali_Contents_Edition2_FA.indd 8

2015/04/22 5:05 PM

70.

ESCA P ES F RO M R E A L I T Y As the bar on travel is raised higher and higher, hotels around the world – and even beyond – are becoming ever more outlandish, pushing the boundaries and redefining the concept of luxury

70

8 1.

TA KE A SWI N G I N D U BAI We put Dubai’s finest golf courses to the test to bring you the lowdown on their pros, cons and quirks

81

Contemporary Furniture Design and Manufacturing

Contact

Zimbali_Contents_Edition2_FA.indd 9

2015/04/23 11:07 AM

ZIMBALI VACATION CLUB IFA Hotels and Resorts introduced the first-ever, exclusive Zimbali Vacation Club at the tranquil Zimbali Lodge, perched up on a hillside with magnificent views overlooking the golf course and sea – the ideal family holiday destination

W

ith one of the most photographed infinity pools in South Africa, admired for its elegance of design and sublime setting, Zimbali Lodge has always been a sought-after holiday destination for families and couples who love its privacy and tranquillity. Five-star service from welcoming and friendly staff makes all the difference to a relaxing holiday, and now it’s even more accessible on a regular basis.

Zimbali Vacation Club offers a holiday retreat in tastefully designed studio, one- or two-bedroom en-suite units, each with a private balcony, fully equipped self-catering facilities, air conditioning, satellite television movies on demand and Wi-Fi and laundry facilities.

In addition, members have access to all the facilities of Zimbali Coastal Resort: • access to the championship 18-hole golf course, designed by Tom Weiskopf and consistently ranked as one of the top 25 golf courses in South Africa • tennis and squash courts, for those who don’t feel like going down to the beach or swimming • kids’ club facilities • an array of dining experiences • walking trails throughout the coastal estate.

As a Zimbali Vacation Club member, it is possible to plan your special holiday times ahead, doing what you want, when you want. Apart from the cost saving, an annual flexible holiday at Zimbali Vacation Club gives you time in one of the most exclusive holiday destinations around the world, with access to local and international properties of The Registry Collection.

Zimbali Lodge has always been a sought-after holiday destination for families and couples who love its privacy and tranquillity Zimbali Sales Centre | Zimbali Northgate Suites, Zimbali Coastal Resort, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa +27 (0)32 538 1205 | sales@zimbalivacationclub.co.za zimbalivc.com 10 | ZI M BA L I R ESORT L I F E

Zimbali Vacation Club_2015_V3.indd 10

2015/04/22 2:29 PM

Z I M B A L I C O A S TA L RESORT

SUPER naturals TEXT CA ND ICE BOTHA P H OTO G RA P H S LA R P HOTO G RA P HY

Zimbali_House_Richie_FA.indd 12

2015/04/22 3:23 PM

RESORT LIVING

I

nspired by the location and the owners’ desire for a relaxed holiday home, Michele Throssell has used natural textures and a palette of white and grey in unexpected ways to create a stylish seaside escape

Z I MBA L I R ESO RT L I F E | 13

Zimbali_House_Richie_FA.indd 13

2015/04/22 3:16 PM

RESORT LIVING

1.

‘Ultra-casual and laid-back. Somewhere to kick off shoes and curl up on sofas or traipse sandy feet through the house. Think soft, muted palette, natural materials, slip covers, pebbles on the beach – whilst simultaneously being practical and functional.’ There couldn’t be a more perfect brief for the ideal family holiday home than this, but with the mandate being issued to renowned decorator Michele Throssell, the finished design was never going to be predictable, and she has created a chic, welcoming home with innovative twists on classic beach house style.

The project was, in fact, a revamp of an existing house that had begun to look a little tired. ‘It needed a lot of updating and we wanted to contemporise the space with clean lines and minimal elements but at the same time create a soulful, laid-back feel, which we did by incorporating the more organic shapes and materials,’ says Michele.

With the house positioned in one of the most enviable spots on the KwaZulu-Natal coast, sweeping views of the Indian Ocean beyond a swathe of green indigenous vegetation take centre stage, complemented by the natural, earthy materials and colour palette Michele has chosen. ‘We named this project Pebbles and this set the tone for the look and feel and influenced all the design decisions, including the colour palette of soft greys and whites. As the main focus of the brief was to create a beachhouse, we selected items that felt like they had been bleached by the sun, such as pieces of driftwood on the sand that slowly bleach out over time,’ she says.

The living areas are open-plan and well-suited to relaxed holiday living, with a generous deck and swimming pool on the sea side of the house and a cleverly-designed braai and dining area on the more sheltered western side, allowing for outdoor living even when the wind is blowing. Stacking doors allow the building to open-up completely, blurring the lines between interior and exterior spaces.

The design manages to be forward-thinking and original while still incorporating elements of classic beach house decorating, thanks to the signature twists Michele puts on all her designs. In the guest room, a triptych of turtle shells has been painted white, retaining their texture and depth and affording them a thoroughly contemporary persona. Wooden floors, a beach house

2.

OPENING SPREAD Clean lines and natural textures prevail outside the house, with weathered timber and stone cladding adding interest to the facade and blending seamlessly with the home’s enviable beachside location

1 4 | ZI M BA L I R ESORT L I F E

Zimbali_House_Richie_FA.indd 14

2015/04/22 3:17 PM

RESORT LIVING

3.

1. The bar features both classic and contemporary elements – the parquet wood panelling and marble provide a nice contrast 2. Wooden open shelves and

patterned tiles on the splashback and extractor hood give the kitchen a decorated feel which allows it to hold its own in the open-plan living space.

A chunky piece of raw wood makes an

ideal countertop and helps to anchor the predominantly white space.

3.This sheltered braai area provides a space for entertaining even in inclement weather

Z I MBA L I R ESO RT L I F E | 15

Zimbali_House_Richie_FA.indd 15

2015/04/23 11:12 AM

RESORT LIVING

4.

16 | Z I M BA L I R ESORT L I F E

Zimbali_House_Richie_FA.indd 16

2015/04/22 3:20 PM

RESORT LIVING

‘As the main focus of the brief was to create a beach house, we selected items that felt like they had been bleached by the sun, such as pieces of driftwood on the sand’ Michele Throssell, Michele Throssell Interiors

Z I MBA L I R ESO RT L I F E | 17

Zimbali_House_Richie_FA.indd 17

2015/04/22 3:20 PM

RESORT LIVING

5.

4. The entertainment zone incorporates a comfortable seating area and a striking marble-andtimber bar. Touches of green and blue pick up the colours in the painting

and rug to tie the scheme together.

Stacking doors allow the room to open up completely 5. In the owners’ daughter’s bedroom.

Michele has incorporated tones of

blush and candyfloss into the white palette and added feminine touches, such as a peacock headboard.

6. The guest room include a comfortable lounge decorated

in white, and contrasting natural textures 7. The main bedroom’s en-suite bathroom is a glamourous space of mirror, marble and glass

1 8 | Z I M BA L I R ESORT L I F E

Zimbali_House_Richie_FA.indd 18

2015/04/22 3:21 PM

RESORT LIVING

6.

7.

must-have are here laid in a herringbone pattern and gradually meld with crisp white tiles to demarcate the transition between spaces, such as the dining room and kitchen, and main bedroom and bathroom. It’s an ingenious way to add interest and a touch of the unexpected, even at ground level. Lots of pale wood elements, used for cladding on walls, countertops and furniture, are reminiscent of the beach houses of yesteryear, but Michele has chosen carefully to avoid a too-rustic feel. ‘The more knots the timber has, the more rustic it appears, so we selected timber with fewer knots to achieve a more polished feel. We also used a very light white oil tint on the timber, adding to the uniform and polished effect,’ she explains.

Another design element, as expected, is the bird motif.

‘I was attracted to the design because birds’ flying represents that feeling of peace and freedom so in keeping with seaside living and holidays,’ she says. But it features in an unexpected way, on a large expanse of monochrome wallpaper that leads up the staircase and extends into the passageway. ‘The contrast of the natural subject matter and the geometric pattern was in keeping with our overall intention to mix clean lines and organic shapes, and the wallpaper served to make a feature of this void, linking it into the rest of the house,’ Michele explains.

The organic feel extends to the choice of furnishings where texture has been incorporated to create depth in the neutral palette. The use of textures such as wicker and woven elements alongside luxurious felt rugs and throws, and having chunky, untreated logs serve as side tables adjacent to the sleek marble bar ensure that, despite the use of natural materials, the house never feels rustic.

It is these kinds of clever design ideas and the careful consideration of both place and contemporary sensibilities that have combined to create a stylish family home that ticks all the boxes for the relaxed holiday feel the owners dreamt of. Michele Throssell Interiors, michelethrossell.co.za

FOR SALE This home is for sale for R36,5m.

For enquiries, contact Zimbali Sales Centre on +27 (0)32 538 1205 or email sales@zimbalicr.com.

Z I MBA L I R ESO RT L I F E | 19

Zimbali_House_Richie_FA.indd 19

2015/04/23 11:12 AM

20 | ZI M BA L I R ESORT L I F E

Zimbali_House_Mara_FA.indd 20

2015/04/22 3:29 PM

RESORT LIVING

Z I M B A L I C O A S TA L RESORT

take it

EASY

TEXT CA ND ICE BOTH A P H OTO G RA P H S LA R P HOTOGRAPH Y

Z I MBA L I R ESO RT L I F E | 2 1

Zimbali_House_Mara_FA.indd 21

2015/04/22 3:30 PM

RESORT LIVING

1.

T

he laid-back, indoor-outdoor lifestyle of Zimbali attracted Mara and Frans Kruger to build a home here four years ago

‘After living in Johannesburg, I wanted to be near the sea and was attracted to the more relaxed pace of life in Ballito,’ recalls Mara, who lives in their home on the golf course at Zimbali full-time while Frans commutes to Johannesburg. With many options in terms of location, the Krugers settled on this spot for its flat site and view over a stream onto the fairway.

‘It feels as though we have a huge garden,’ notes Mara, who particularly enjoys observing the wildlife that frequents the area around their home. ‘We had an Egyptian goose nest in the flowerpot on the balcony outside our bedroom last year and she eventually hatched nine goslings,’ recalls Mara. ‘We also see cormorants, hamerkops, duiker and bushbuck, as well as vervet monkeys playing on the grass.’

The house is orientated towards the expanse of green outside, and the architectural design,

by Feeu Architects, takes full advantage of the view both from the ground-floor living areas and the bedrooms upstairs, utilising floor-to-ceiling windows, stacking doors and a balcony which runs the length of the second floor. ‘Being able to live outdoors was important to us, and the fact that this spot is quite protected from the elements was another big plus,’ says Mara.

A rim-flow swimming pool takes centre stage on the verandah, while a built-in outdoor kitchen and braai area is adjacent to the dining area. On the other side of the pool, a Jacuzzi sits alongside a luxurious day bed, a favourite space for taking advantage of the glorious climate, especially with the Krugers’ two grown-up daughters, who visit regularly.

The double-volume entrance is dominated by the floating wood-and-glass staircase which is visible through a window that takes in both floors and allows guests to glimpse the views across the living room from the moment they arrive. The stairs lead to a study situated on the upstairs landing and three bedrooms, all en suite. The fourth bedroom is on the ground floor and each has its own balcony or deck from which to enjoy the beautiful surrounds.

Downstairs, the flow between the different spaces of

OPENING SPREAD On driving up to the house, guests are treated to a glimpse of the greenery beyond through the double-volume windows that flank the front doors; the balcony off the main bedroom overlooks the fairway and bubbling stream, which provides a soothing sound track

4.

1. This stream attracts a variety of fauna, and Mara and Frans derive great pleasure from observing their comings and goings.

‘I feel as though we have an enormous garden,’ she says 2. Designed by Feeu Architects and built by Extra Dimensions Property Group, this house takes full advantage of its location on the golf course, with floor-to-ceiling windows framing the beautiful views 3. The built-in day bed, designed and manufactured

by Handyman Worx, is the ideal spot for sunbathing and admiring the view after a soothing soak in the Jacuzzi 4. Pale timber-and-white cabinetry by Weylandts and light-coloured tiles keep the feel airy and spacious 5. An expanse of wall which could have been boring has been transformed into a feature wall with tile-andtimber water feature 6. The elevated counter in the kitchen, by Kitchen Classics, with Caesarstone countertops

by Afrigran, disguises the stovetop behind it but allows the cook to be part of the action while entertaining.

Timber elements combined with the the cabinetry gives the kitchen a relaxed feel

7.

2 2 | Z I M BA L I R ESORT L I F E

Zimbali_House_Mara_FA.indd 22

2015/04/23 11:11 AM

RESORT LIVING

2.

3.

5.

9.

6.

Z I MBA L I R ESO RT L I F E | 23

Zimbali_House_Mara_FA.indd 23

2015/04/22 3:31 PM

RESORT LIVING

The result of the collaboration is a mix of traditional pieces and clean-lined finishes that works perfectly with the architecture

7.

7. A narrow deck leads from the downstairs guest bedroom to the day bed. Chains allow rainwater to run off the roof – a more attractive alternative to gutters and pipes

8.

8. A simple step up is an ingenious way to separate the bathroom from the bedroom area in the downstairs guest suite. Mara’s preference for classic decor is evident in the luxe fabrics and landscaping paintings incorporated into the scheme

the living area is unrestricted, but the clever design ensures that individual areas are clearly demarcated.

The home’s decor is a mix of classic and contemporary. ‘Brent Steytler had designed our home in Johannesburg and understood our style,’ says Mara.

‘This house is much more modern than our other Tuscan-style home, however, and we soon realised that we were going to have to choose pieces which worked in this space. Fortunately, Brent was able to marry our taste with what would work here, and we so enjoyed the process of furnishing the interiors with him.’ The result of the collaboration is a mix of traditional pieces and clean-lined finishes that works perfectly with the architecture yet gives the house the welcoming feel of a stylish family home.

The kitchen was designed to blend in with the rest of the living area, with the fridge integrated into the built-in cabinetry and a clever, elevated counter which disguises the stovetop when the couple has guests.

A separate scullery provides a place for the practical tasks of cooking and cleaning. Ensuring that the house was light and airy by utilising lots of glass was a priority, and keeping the floors and other finishes light in colour adds to the bright, spacious feel.

‘This house does not lend itself to clutter and I have lots of things still in storage,’ laughs Mara, who has been collecting ornamental ducks in particular for many years. She has allowed herself to place a few special pieces around the house, though, such as a flock of carved wooden ducks and a pair of model Harley-Davidson motorcycles in the kitchen – a nod to the couple’s shared passion – which make the space feel like a home that truly reflects the personalities of is owners.

FOR SALE This home is for sale for R17m.

For enquiries, contact the Zimbali Sales Centre on +27 (0)32 538 1205 or email sales@zimbalicr.com.

24 | ZI M BA L I R ESORT L I F E

Zimbali_House_Mara_FA.indd 24

2015/04/22 3:32 PM

KELLER WILLIAMS REALTY ABOUT US Keller Williams Realty, founded in 1983 by Gary Keller and Joe Williams, is an international real estate franchise company with more than 110 000 real estate agents in more than 700 centres, including the US, Canada, Indonesia, Vietnam, Spain, Portugal, the UK, Turkey, Dubai, Costa Rica, Mexico – and South Africa.

By 2014 it had become the largest real estate company by agent count in the US, and in 2010 it announced its expansion. Keller Williams Realty continues along a growth trajectory that has outpaced the industry and its competitors.

In SA, Keller Williams Ignite opened in Zimbali in 2014 and the new Umhlanga office is scheduled to open this July followed by multiple locations throughout KwaZuluNatal. Offices in the Western Cape include Table View, Somerset West, Stellenbosch and surrounds, with future expansion coming soon in the Southern and Northern suburbs.

Keller Williams Realty, as a global presence, stands out from all other real estate firms in many ways. Four areas in particular define it as an industry innovator and leader: education; marketing and technology; wealthbuilding; and culture. Supported by these four pillars, it builds the careers of its people with world-class training and support, to help them achieve personal and professional success while providing exceptional customer service to its clients and giving back to the communities in which it operates. In 2014 Keller Williams was rated the number one training company in the world, across all industries, by Training Magazine. For more information, visit zimbali.kwsa.co.za, email beverley.gaul@ kwsa.co.za or call +27 (0)32 004 0022.

Four areas in particular define Keller Williams as an industry innovator and leader: education; marketing and technology; wealth-building; and culture PROPERTY TRENDS Keller Williams Realty recently brought bestselling author and motivational speaker Stefan Swanepoel to Durban to speak to a full house of estate agents at the Nedbank Kingsmead Auditorium. Highlights included his trend predictions for the property industry for 2015 and beyond

REAL ESTATE TRENDS EXPERT AND MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER STEFAN SWANEPOEL Stefan Swanepoel is a bestselling author of more than 26 books and has delivered more than 700 presentations to over half a million people. He was born in Kenya and schooled in Hong Kong and SA before running a global franchise network with 25 000 sales associates in 30 countries. He has served as president of seven companies and two non-profit organisations.His academic accomplishments include a science degree, a master’s in business economics, and diplomas in arbitration, mergers and acquisitions, real estate, computer science and marketing. His awards include Businessman of the Year (Jaycees). He is ranked as one of the top 20 most influential people in the real estate industry by Today’s Realtor, one of the Top 100 Most Influential Real Estate Leaders (Inman News), One of the Top 25 Most Connected Real Estate Professionals Online (Proxio) and One of the Top 50 People Who You Should Follow on Twitter (Roost).

Z I MBA L I R ESO RT L I F E | 2 5

Zimbali_KellerWilliams_2015_FA.indd 25

2015/04/22 2:21 PM

Stefan Swanepoel’s expertise in predicting trends coincides perfectly with Keller Williams’s track record of repeatedly setting new trends within the real estate industry – thus raising the bar of the profession at all times. Stefan’s been writing about trends ever since he and his team published Real Estate Confronts Reality in 1998.

The 10th edition of the annual Swanepoel Trends Report (his 27th publication) and it is evident that this year ‘many trends are being supercharged by outside forces and/or by long-term pent-up frustration’. So ‘in the 2015 Swanepoel Trends Report we take a deep dive into several mega-trends that have moved to a tipping point and will impact most of us in the not too distant future’.

His team of 11 researchers and writers has more than 250 collective years of experience in the real estate industry.

‘This is our world. We care for it,’ he says with the passion of an analyst who’s continuously on the cutting edge of changes that affect the real estate industry locally and globally.

SO, WHAT IS A REAL ESTATE TREND? ‘A real estate trend is any consistent pattern or change in the general direction of the real estate industry that, over the course of time, causes a statistically noticeable change.

‘Although trends include the economy or a change in mortgage rates, we focus on the business side of the residential real estate industry. We identify those meaningful events, powerful players, ingenious innovations, major acquisitions, key strategic moves and/or fundamental shifts that are defining or are expected to define or redefine this industry.

‘We continuously track some 20 megatrends to see how they evolve and what new iterations time brings. We discard fads, blue-sky and unsubstantiated claims. We monitor meaningful traction and look for movements that show potential for real impact and possible evolution into a megatrend. Here are a few of the highlighted trends for this year.’

MEGA-TREND: LEADERSHIP

Surviving long-term preparation and the impending real estate retirement wave

Keller Williams responds: We were thinking ahead where our leadership is concerned and announced an executive leadership transition in February this year, with Chris Heller becoming CEO and John Davis stepping in as president.

Heller and Davis succeed legendary Keller Williams leaders Mark Willis and Mary Tennant,

who are joining Gary Keller and Vice Chairman Mo Anderson on the company’s board of directors.

‘Keller Williams truly is a company built by agents for agents,’ Davis said. ‘We’re all agents. And we share the same mindset, values and vision.’

For three years, Heller and Davis have been preparing for their new leadership roles.

As president of KW Worldwide, Heller launched

the first Keller Williams regions outside North America. During the State of the Company presentation, Heller welcomed hundreds of international guests from more than 20 countries and introduced two new regions: KW Costa Rica and KW Spain. He also reported that last year the number of associates outside North America more than doubled and the number of market centres more than tripled. In SA alone, Keller Williams has already exceeded 500 agents in just over two years. More information on how Keller Williams Realty cultivates future leaders through its Young Professionals division can be found at kwyp.org.

The leadership focus at Keller Williams has been clearly recognised through these awards: n 2014 Inman 100 Most Influential Real Estate Leaders Report: six Keller Williams representatives n 2014 Swanepoel Power 200 Most Powerful People in Residential Real Estate Report: 10 Keller Williams representatives n 2014 Realtor Magazine 30 Under 30: seven Keller Williams finalists and four winners, including the Web Choice winner n 2013 Realtor Magazine 30 Under 30: seven were Keller Williams associates – more than any other real estate franchise n 2012 Realtor Magazine 30 Under 30: Most represented agency, with four associates named

PH OTO GRAPH S : SUPPL I ED

Swanepoel: We’ve known for years that the industry is ageing and that the average profile of a typical realtor is 56 year (or so) old female.

The focus, however, has been and still is on the ranks of the sales associates and what we need to do to get more young people to join the industry. … Leadership is greying across the entire industry and the problem we are facing is that there is no real succession plan in place at most companies. The industry is ill-prepared for the consequences. The oldest members of Gen Y turned 30 in 2014.

And the broad group that we label as ‘digital natives’, those from Gen X and Gen Y who grew up in the digital era, are entering the prime of their careers, with 20 years’ digital experience behind them. Now that’s the perfect succession plan candidate. We urge C-level leaders and those responsible for organisational strategy to set up a clear plan of succession and begin grooming their leaders of the future today, before it’s too late.

26 | ZI M BA L I R ESORT L I F E

Zimbali_KellerWilliams_2015_FA.indd 26

2015/04/22 2:21 PM

MEGA-TREND: TECHNOLOGY & THE INTERNET

Technologies to watch: how digital natives are driving the next surge of innovations

Swanepoel: In Real Estate Confronts Reality, published in 1997, we said that ‘it is further expected that within the next five years the internet will become more passive, more powerful, and very deeply ingrained into the very fabric of our society. Thanks to the internet, the confines of time and space are disappearing. Gone are most previous boundaries, creating new virtual nation where the stores have no doors and the malls no walls.’ The realisation took a few more years than five, but today, some 17 years later, we’d all agree that our lives are very different as a direct result of technology and the internet.

We have always maintained a strong love affair with technology and in every one of our 26 books/reports, technology has been a strong feature – in many cases, the main attraction (Real Estate Confronts Technology, 1999; Real Estate Confronts the e-Customer, 2000; Real Estate Confronts the Information Explosion, 2007; the 2010 Swanepoel Social Media Report, and the 2013 Swanepoel Technology Report). We believe it is the single largest game-changer the real estate industry has seen in four decades.

We have predicted, more than once, that realtor demographics will be reshaped by Generations X and Y as they move into the mainstream and increase their dependence on technology. In the 2007 Swanepoel Trends Report we took a long look at what these two generations were bringing into the industry, such as real-time collaboration, mapping and GPS, speech recognition, search engines, vertical searches, online valuations and new approaches to broker websites. And so it went on every year – discussing the latest shifts being caused by technology.

By 2011 we were into the ‘cloud’ and not just ‘in’ with consumer services but actually in with the real estate business itself. We pointed out that millennials who love the mobility of connectivity also love collaboration and depend on reviews, and wouldn’t be sold the same old way. Over the next decade digital natives will reshape real estate marketing and the usage of technology across a broad spectrum of the digital world as they take over the reins of the industry.

In our 2015 report we investigate new and different experiences that are being created for both real estate practioners and their clients through the use of innovations such as messaging, wearables, mobile payments and more.

Keller Williams responds: KW continues to lead the pack where technology for real estate is concerned. The awards below speak for themselves, and yet they don’t even begin to describe the magnitude of all that KW technology affords its associates and clients: n 2014 Computerworld Data+ Editors’ Choice Award: Keller Williams is recognised for its business intelligence system n 2014 Inman News Innovator of the Year: Keller Williams is home to real estate industry’s top innovator, Ben Kinney n 2012 Inman Innovator of the Year: eEdge partner DotLoop’s CEO and co-founder Austin Allison is named 2012 Innovator of the Year

MEGA-TREND: TRANSPARENCY

Harnessing new influences: rethinking what you think about reviews

Swanepoel: Agent ratings or reviews are a sensitive subset of transparency that simply won’t go away, no matter how widely it has been ridiculed by the real estate industry. In our 2010 report we noted that consumers were beginning to take a much harder look at ‘proof of experience’ in the form of information from past clients relative to professional accountability, reliability,

We said then that the emergence of agent ratings was inevitable because the availability of information would continue to expand and become more readily available.We cautioned that customers exhibited a growing willingness to trust unknown raters on websites

consistency, responsiveness, and overall service satisfaction of the real estate agents they wanted to employ. We said then that the emergence of agent ratings was inevitable because the availability of information would continue to expand and become more readily available. We cautioned that customers exhibited a growing willingness to trust unknown raters on websites. We reported

Z I MBA L I R ESO RT L I F E | 2 7

Zimbali_KellerWilliams_2015_FA.indd 27

2015/04/22 2:21 PM

in the 2013 Swanepoel Trends Report that the majority of the industry had rejected the concept and practice of agent ratings and that it had become one of the more devisive issues in residential real estate. Some felt that consumers would ultimately think that the industry’s failure to provide transparency and review information was a direct insult to their intelligence; meanwhile many ‘alternative’ brokerage models and/or thirdparty internet-based portals were offering or planning to offer an agent-rating programme.

In this year’s report we explore the critical issues, such as: patterns in consumer behaviour; the legitimacy of reviews; the impact of millennials; and what happens between the consumer reading a review and them taking action. We undertook an extensive industry-wide agent survey through our sister company, T3 Experts.

Our analysis takes a critical look at the concept of reviews, the difference between reviews, recommendations, and ratings, and how and in what form they could impact agents in 2015. We discovered some interesting connections between ratings and lead generation and hard decisions many agents will need to take.

Keller Williams responds: The Keller Williams Belief system (WI4C2TS) encourages each KW agent to always put their clients first while offering them a level of service and skill they won’t anywhere else. The result? Incredible relationships, great reviews and high customer satisfaction.

Win-win: or no deal Integrity: do the right thing Customers: always come first Commitment: in all things Communication: seek first to understand Creativity: ideas before results Teamwork: together, everyone achieves more Trust: starts with honesty Success: results through people n 2012 JD Power and Associates: Keller Williams Realty ranked highest in customer satisfaction among homebuyers and sellers n 2010 JD Power and Associates: Keller Williams Realty ranked highest in homebuyer satisfaction for the third consecutive year n 2009 JD Powers and Associates: highest overall satisfaction for homebuyers among national full-service real estate firms for years running

MEGA-TREND: EDUCATION

The price of prosecution: the inadequacy and inconsistency of knowledge and skills

Swanepoel: Raising the Bar In Real Estate has been ridiculed, spurned and overlooked for longer than we have been writing the Swanepoel Trends Report. In 2006, the first year of the Swanepoel Trends Report, in our chapter titled ‘The Swinging Door’, we noted that as a result of the market downturn, several hundred thousand new licensees would leave the industry. We detailed how the low barriers to entry into real estate had caused the problem in the first place and how failure to address the problem would repeatedly work against real estate ever becoming a profession. The following year we exposed how, in the public eye, the real estate agent was still regarded as the least respected profession. We emphasised the importance of creating an environment that would develop knowledgeable agents and more capable, consultative, for-life type relationships.

We revisited this problem in multiple reports, explaining how our industry has this huge delta between great service and poor service. In 2013, in the chapter titled ‘Hello capital. Are you coming in?’, we took a long, hard look at new investments coming into the industry, hoping that these major players would play a key role in helping real estate education kick it up a notch.

There are many areas of improvement, and in some respects real estate is actually not

that far from qualifying as a profession, but as a whole is still much that needs doing.

Keller Williams responds: You may be asking what Keller Williams Realty has been doing to stay ahead of the education curve. Well, we’ve been setting trends instead of following them, as evidenced below by the recognition we’ve received in the last three years alone: n 2015 Training Magazine: number one training organisation across all industries n 2015 Atlanta Awards: Honouring Training 125: Keller Williams was recognised for the growth, productivity and profitability gains resulting from its world-class education and training programmes n 2014 Training Magazine: number two training organisation across all industries and the highest ranking real estate company n 2013 Training Magazine: number two training organisation in the world and number one in real estate n 2014 Principal 10 Best Companies for Employee Financial Security: Keller Williams featured in Inc. magazine for commitment to financial and physical wellness n 2013 Workplace Dynamics: Listed on America’s Top 10 Workplaces n 2012 Entrepreneur Magazine: Franchise 500 list: number 178; America’s Top Global Franchises: number 142

Zimbali Sales Centre | Zimbali Northgate Suites, Zimbali Coastal Resort, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa +27 (0)32 004 0022 | beverley.gaul@kwsa.co.za www.zimbali.kwsa.co.za 2 8 | ZI M BA L I R ESORT L I F E

Zimbali_KellerWilliams_2015_FA.indd 28

2015/04/22 2:21 PM

LIGHTING BY DESIGN

LED THERE BE

light P H OTO G RA P H S SU PPL I ED

Z I MBA L I R ESO RT L I F E | 2 9

Zimbali_Cars_Lighting.indd 29

2015/04/20 10:03 PM

Ever paid attention to the lights on your car? Crammed with technology, they’re a lot more than just glass, reflectors and bulbs. And they’re evolving faster than (ahem) the speed of light. Charleen Clarke sheds some (ahem again) light on the matter…

1.

In the world of the car designer, lights rule. Because, much like spectacles on a human being, they’re there to fulfil a purpose. But they also make an extremely strong design statement.

Adam Hatton, creative director, exterior design at Jaguar, says lights are ‘the jewellery of the vehicle – they influence the first impressions of a customer’.

Lights are also pivotal when it comes to creating brand identity. According to Lindsay Pieterse, manager, planning, steering and lifestyle communications at BMW South Africa, lighting design makes a key contribution to the unmistakable look of every BMW. ‘Traditionally, a four-eyes face and typical kidney grille characterise every BMW, making it immediately identifiable … even without seeing the brand insignia,’ she explains.

David Hughes, managing director, Mazda Southern Africa, agrees: ‘Lights are very important – they are a big feature when it comes to the overall final look and character of the vehicle. On the Mazda2, for example, positioning the headlamps and radiator grille as low as possible with a forward-inclined posture creates a bold expression that is both handsome and full of vitality.’

Heinz Redlich, a designer at the Porsche Design Studio at the Weissach Research and Development

Centre, paints a similar picture. ‘Light is identity, by day as well as by night. It has attributes that also apply to Porsche sports cars: purist, unmistakable, striking.

And it too follows the principle that a Porsche should be recognisable as a Porsche from afar,’ he notes.

Stefan Sielaff, the man who designed Audi’s distinctive light-emitting diode (LED) exterior lights, concurs. ‘Audi’s daytime running lights cemented the visible persona of the brand,’ he points out.

Thankfully for designers such as Sielaff (who is now with Volkswagen), they are now able to play with a palette of new lighting technologies, for automotive lights have certainly come a very long way.

The automotive headlight’s tale begins in the late 1880s with acetylene lamps. These proved relatively popular because the flame was resistant to wind and rain, but they were replaced by electric lamps in 1898.

The first electric headlight was produced by the Electric Vehicle Company in Hartford, Connecticut, but it was far from faultless: the lamps didn’t last long and were very expensive.

In 1912 Cadillac upped the lighting ante with the creation of a modern vehicle-electrical system, and by 1915 Ford was equipping the Model T with electric lights.

3 0 | ZI M BA L I R ESORT L I F E

Zimbali_Cars_Lighting.indd 30

2015/04/23 11:07 AM

LIGHTING BY DESIGN

2.

The next major development came in the 1940s with the advent of the sealed-beam headlight. General Electric patented halogen bulbs 10 years later and they reigned supreme for many decades.

In fact, the evolution of automotive lighting ground to a halt until the early 1990s, when high-intensity discharge (HID) or xenon headlights became available (the first xenon headlight appeared on the BMW 7 Series in 1991). They were praised for being more effective than halogen lights (a xenon bulb produces 3 000 lumens and 90 millicandela a square metre, as opposed to halogen lights, which generate 1 400 lumens and 30 millicandela a square metre). They also last longer: 2 000 hours versus 1 000 hours for halogen.

But they take a while to reach full brightness.

The next really big thing was the debut of LED technology in headlights at the beginning of this century. In 2006 the Audi R8 and Lexus LS became the first production cars to use LED headlights. LEDs are, of course, not new – we first saw them in the red numeric displays of pocket calculators in the 1970s.

We might not know they are there, but LEDs are all around us. These light-emitting diodes – just a square millimetre in size – convert electrical energy directly into light with a very high efficiency. As such, they are

OPENING SPREAD Uwe Kostanzer, head of light systems development at Mercedes-Benz, explains that in an ideal world the lights on a car would ‘turn night into day’.

1. The BMW M4 Concept showcases twin round headlights featuring laser lights technology. In the rear, the M4 Concept sports new headlights which produce light from waferthin semiconducting layers of organic material.

2. BMW’s new i8 is the first production car in the world with laser headlights

Light-emitting diodes – just a square millimetre in size – convert electrical energy directly into light with a very high efficiency Z I MBA L I R ESO RT L I F E | 3 1

Zimbali_Cars_Lighting.indd 31

2015/04/23 11:08 AM

LIGHTING BY DESIGN

used for background lighting in cellphone displays, television sets and computer screens, for instance.

LEDs are also omnipresent in modern cars, where between 200 and 600 of these devices are used for everything from tail-lights and turn signals to the innumerable small signal lamps in a car’s interior and in the dashboard displays.

But it is within the field of headlight technology that the LED has really made its mark, and captains of the auotmotive industry appear to be passionate about its potential. Stephan Berlitz, head, development, lighting functions and innovations at Audi, maintains that by 2018 LED technology should be about eight times more efficient than halogen light. In addition, LEDs excel thanks to their practically indefinite service life, and react up to 10 times more quickly than traditional incandescent bulbs. ‘Light-emitting diodes are similar to computer chips. Every two years there’s an increase in output of about 30 per cent,’ explains Berlitz, ‘and we’ll soon be able to create so much light with LEDs that entirely new applications will become possible.’

Sielaff concurs. ‘LEDs unlock the door to unrealised design possibilities for exterior design and interiors alike,’ he maintains.

Ford is another company that is besotted with LEDs (the new Ford Fusion Titanium is the first Ford vehicle in South Africa to use full-LED headlights).

THIS PAGE Sigh. Gosh.

Gulp. The McLaren 675LT with its LED tail-lights leaves one breathless 4. Mitsubishi’s new plug-in hybrid crossover concept, the XR-PHEV II, has eyecatching lights front and rear 5. The lights on this Lagonda enhance its elegant stance 6. The Aston Martin Vulcan’s rear LED lights are hard to miss 7. The lights on the 911 Turbo S provide advance warning of an iconic sports car

Its designers point out that, thanks to LEDs, designers now have much more flexibility when sculpting a car’s headlights than they ever did with traditional car light bulbs, including modern xenon lamps.

Family saloons always used to look staid, but the looks of the new Ford Fusion, which goes on sale early next year, have been described abroad as ‘easily one of the hottest-looking cars’ in its class. And it’s in no small part thanks to its headlights.

‘For the new Fusion we really wanted to exaggerate the slimness of the headlights, and LED technology allowed us to do that,’ says Chris Hamilton, chief designer at Ford. ‘That wouldn’t have been possible with a traditional halogen reflector.’

LEDs can create lighting units that are not just functional, but also radically improve the car’s exterior.

Slim headlights can help to break up the corners of a vehicle and make it more streamlined. They even make it look lower, giving the impression of a sportier profile. ‘Slim headlamps can make a vehicle’s exterior appear more determined and aggressive,’ says Paul Wraith, design manager at Ford. ‘They help give the appropriate sense of presence and purpose.’

Because of their small diameter, the diodes can be arranged in patterns and controlled individually to create special lighting effects for added wow factor, such as a series of orange indicator lights that flash in

3 2 | Z I M BA L I R ESORT L I F E

Zimbali_Cars_Lighting.indd 32

2015/04/20 10:03 PM

LIGHTING BY DESIGN

sequence, and since they produce considerably less heat than old-fashioned lamps, plastic internal lenses and components which are more easily moulded to the designers’ wishes can be used.

‘Headlamps are a little bit like icebergs – the bit that you see at the front is just a small portion of the whole unit,’ says Hamilton. ‘LED units take up much less package space, so designers have more freedom to develop a theme.’

Mercedes-Benz has also embraced LED technology, but it has gone one step further with the introduction of multi-beam LED headlights on its new-generation CLS-Class.

These unique headlamps, which are exceptionally bright, automatically illuminate the road surface with an unsurpassed, precision-controlled distribution of light – without blinding others. Using a camera positioned behind the front windscreen, the car detects oncoming traffic or vehicles in front and mechanically masks them out in the light cone of the main beam so that the drivers are not dazzled.

In practice, this means that main-beam headlights can be left on at all times without irritating or even endangering other road users.

The CLS is the first road car in the world with dynamic LED high-performance headlights. ‘We developed our LED headlights so that they could immediately offer all the benefits that our customers enjoyed in the previous xenon technology,’ explains

4.

5.

6.

7.

‘Lights are the jewellery of the vehicle – they influence the first impressions of a customer’ Adam Hatton, creative director, exterior design, Jaguar

Uwe Kostanzer, head, light-system development at Daimler. He believes that LED headlights will get even better. ‘The current LED headlight contains 353 individual parts, which means it is considerably more complex than its xenon counterpart,’ he explains.

‘It has to become more efficient and less complex, and that’s why our goal is to simplify the system and increase its degree of integration.’

The rapid evolution of automotive lighting isn’t without its challenges. ‘We have to think far ahead with our designs,’ says Kostanzer. ‘That’s because the LEDs we are now installing in cars probably won’t exist any more five years from now. Despite that, we will have to continue to provide spare parts for today’s vehicles.

That’s a completely different situation, compared with today’s incandescent (halogen) lamp, which we have used for more than 40 years.’

Porsche’s Redlich agrees that we will continue to see rapid development within the field of lighting. ‘Since the introduction of daytime running lights, light has represented a new and fascinating challenge,’ says Redlich. ‘Challenges like these bring out the best in designers because LEDs at Porsche have to be more than just a string of lights. That’s not for us, because it’ll soon be obsolete.’

But, while designers are enthusing about and scratching their heads over the subject of LED technology, another form of lighting technology is also rearing its bulb. Laser…

Z I MBA L I R ESO RT L I F E | 3 3

Zimbali_Cars_Lighting.indd 33

2015/04/20 10:03 PM

8.

10.

9.

BMW laser lights made their world premiere in June last year. This highly efficient light source will be arriving on our roads in a production car for the first time, in the BMW i8. (Laser lights will only be made available locally on the i8 from November 2015 production and will be on dealer floors from January 2016).

The good news is that these laser lights are 1 000 times better than LED headlights: they can illuminate for twice the distance and they are small enough to allow more styling/packaging flexibility. And, rather importantly, these lasers won’t blind you.

The bad news is that they are expensive – expect to cough up R110 000 or so for the lights alone.

What else can we expect from the future of car lights? The final word goes to Audi’s Berlitz: ‘Time is a tricky concept. It was 11 years ago that we put the first LED daytime running lights into production. Now we are talking about lasers. No one thought 11 years ago that lasers would work at all, so it’s hard to say what’s going to happen in another 10 years’ time. I suspect something will come along that is at present not even on our radar.

‘But what we can fundamentally state is where we want to go – we want to be able to control the distribution of light even more precisely, creating a kind of in-car projector, beaming the distributed light onto the road.’

One thing is certain: automotive lighting will evolve at the rate of knots and grow in value – the global automotive lighting market revenue is estimated to reach R279 billion by 2018. And it’s bound to be massively exciting.

3 4 | Z I M BA L I R ESORT L I F E

Zimbali_Cars_Lighting.indd 34

2015/04/20 10:03 PM

LIGHTING BY DESIGN

8. The Ford Fusion, with its laser-cut adaptive headlights, is widely recognised as one of the best-looking Fords on our roads 9. In typical Audi fashion, the A7 Sportback excels in the lighting department 10. Mercedes-Benz has incorporated Multibeam LED technology into the newgeneration CLS-Class for the first time. These lights incorporate four control units which calculate the ideal light pattern 100 times a second

‘Headlamps are a little like icebergs – the bit that you see at the front is just a small portion of the whole unit. LED units take up much less package space, so designers have more freedom to develop a theme’ Chris Hamilton, chief designer, Ford Z I MBA L I R ESO RT L I F E | 3 5

Zimbali_Cars_Lighting.indd 35

2015/04/20 10:03 PM

SUITE DEAL At Zimbali Suites, you get the advantages of a luxury seaside home, with none of the hassles. And you enjoy all the amenities of a world-class resort on your doorstep

W

ith breathtaking views over the Indian Ocean and access to a wide range of premier leisure facilities, Zimbali Suites offers an idyllic escape from city living.

The latest luxury development within the award-winning Zimbali Coastal Resort is set just a short walk from the ocean, where kilometres of unspoilt golden beaches make for a perfect seaside holiday.

Further inland, a well-developed system of walking trails provides residents with a wonderful opportunity to experience the abundant flora and fauna of the pristine coastal forest.

Golf is another highlight of life on the resort – the 18-hole par 72 championship golf course is rated as one of South Africa’s finest – while mountain biking, scuba diving and deep-sea

The latest luxury development within the award-winning Zimbali Coastal Resort is set just a short walk from the ocean, where kilometres of unspoilt golden beaches make for a perfect seaside holiday fishing provide other exciting leisure options.

Adjacent to Zimbali Suites is the Fairmont Zimbali Resort, where residents can enjoy a full range of world-class hotel services – exclusive pamper sessions at Willow Stream Spa, a fitness centre, a variety of dining options, five outdoor swimming pools, and much more.

The six-storey Zimbali Suites development is built to exceptional specifications, with

the design incorporating the contemporary Balinese aesthetic that has become the trademark of Zimbali Coastal Resort. This is combined with earthy African tones and the use of natural materials, such as clay roof tiles and stone wall cladding.

The beautifully landscaped blocks offer a choice of smart one-, two- and three-bedroom condo units, ranging from 36,2 to 130 square metres – all with spacious patios, fully fitted kitchens and secure undercover parking.

Suites are fully serviced. Investors can further benefit from a rental programme managed on their behalf by a dedicated operations team.

Zimbali Suites are the ultimate lock-upand-go holiday havens, and with King Shaka International Airport just 20 minutes away, they’re easily accessible from wherever you, your family and friends reside.

Zimbali Sales Centre | Zimbali Northgate Suites, Zimbali Coastal Resort, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa +27 (0)32 538 1205 | sales@zimbalisuites.co.za zimbalisuites.co.za 3 6 | Z I M BA L I R ESORT L I F E

Zimbali_Suites_2015_FA.indd 36

2015/04/22 2:26 PM

WANDERLUST

3 8 | ZI M BA L I R ESORT L I F E

Zimbali_Luxury_Travel_Namibia_FA.indd 38

2015/04/22 5:12 PM

sheltering The

desert

From celestial wanderings to tracking rhino on terra firma, Richard Holmes discovers three remarkable lodges with the best Namibia has to offer‌ P H OTO G RA P H S R ICHA R D HO LMES, WILD ERNESS SAFARI S, andBEYOND Z I MBA L I R ESO RT L I F E | 3 9

Zimbali_Luxury_Travel_Namibia_FA.indd 39

2015/04/23 11:15 AM

WANDERLUST

The NamibRand Nature Reserve is one of the great conservation success stories in Africa. Before 1984 this vast 200 000-hectare conservancy was a motley collection of livestock farms, until the visionary Albi Brückner realised that the future lay in conservation. Fences were torn down, and wildlife roamed free. Farm implements were packed away and the wilderness took hold.

Driving across the NamibRand in an open-top game vehicle, I find it hard to imagine the landscape any other way. Plains of auburn grass stretch to the horizon, bookended by craggy rock outcrops where leopards sleep away the heat of the day. In the riverbed, a Rüppell’s korhaan – one of the world’s heaviest flying birds, and near-endemic to Namibia – eyes me warily. Herds of skittish springbok trot daintily across the grasslands as sturdy oryx keep a keen eye out for predators from the shade of a shepherd’s tree.

Where the gravelly plains give way to ochre dunes, the legendary fairy circles of the Namib confound and amuse guests as we enjoy our sundowners in the desert.

Yet a visit to the NamibRand should be about looking up as well as down. On previous trips to Namibia, I’ve puzzled over fairy circles and admired leopard spoor in the dust. I’ve ridden quad bikes

THIS PAGE The stone-andglass suites at andBeyond Sossusvlei Desert Lodge offer perfect peace and privacy in the NamibRand Nature Reserve 1. Fine dining in the desert: expect multi-course à la carte cuisine at Namibia’s top lodges 2. Leave the dusty gravel roads behind: a flying safari is the best way to hop between camps in Namibia 3. Eco-friendly quad bike excursions let you explore the subtle shift from gravel plains to shifting dune fields in the NamibRand 4. A stylish refurb at Sossusvlei Desert Lodge has kept the emphasis firmly on the desert vista

through the dunes and gazed back in time through ancient rock paintings. You can do all of those and more at andBeyond Sossusvlei Desert Lodge, where 10 stylish stone-and-glass suites gaze out over endless grassy plains. But, remember, there’s just as much magic to be found in the skies as on the sands.

In 2013 the NamibRand Nature Reserve was proclaimed as Africa’s first international dark-sky Reserve. With miniscule impact from artificial light this corner of Namibia is Shangri-la for astronomy, and Sossusvlei Desert Lodge offers one of the finest stargazing experiences on the continent.

After dinner a short walk into the desert’s inky black night brings us to the lodge’s dedicated observatory, kitted out with a powerful Meade LX200R 12-inch telescope. After dinner, and before the moon rises behind the Nubib Mountains to the east, we take our seats on the circular viewing platform for a guided wander through the heavens. While the view is impressive on its own, there’s always a professional astronomer resident at the lodge to explain the constellations and focus the computer-controlled telescope on specific galaxies.

The Milky Way is spectacular throughout the year, while summer brings views of the globular cluster

4 0 | ZI M BA L I R ESORT L I F E

Zimbali_Luxury_Travel_Namibia_FA.indd 40

2015/04/22 5:13 PM

After dinner a short walk into the desert’s inky-black night brings us to the lodge’s dedicated observatory 2.

1.

3.

4.

Z I MBA L I R ESO RT L I F E | 4 1

Zimbali_Luxury_Travel_Namibia_FA.indd 41

2015/04/22 5:14 PM

WANDERLUST

There’s no stuffed buffalo head above the fireplace or masculine leather couches in the smoking lounge. Rather, the decor is about muted tones and clean, understated style

5.

4 2 | Z I M BA L I R ESORT L I F E

Zimbali_Luxury_Travel_Namibia_FA.indd 42

2015/04/22 5:15 PM

6.

Z I MBA L I R ESO RT L I F E | 4 3

Zimbali_Luxury_Travel_Namibia_FA.indd 43

2015/04/22 5:15 PM

WANDERLUST

My destination was Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp: the newest lodge in the Wilderness Safaris portfolio, and one I’d wager is also the most impressive

4 4 | Z I M BA L I R ESORT L I F E

Zimbali_Luxury_Travel_Namibia_FA.indd 44

2015/04/22 5:15 PM

FIRST CLASS GLAMOUR

8.

7.

known as 47 Tucanae, home to more than a million stars. In winter it’s the Southern Cross and Centaurus you’ll want to look out for.

Although the nights can be icy, this is the dry season and the best time to visit for stargazing in the Namib, with clear skies all but guaranteed.

Travelling solo is a professional hazard for travel writers so there are sadly no heavenly bodies alongside me in the king-size bed that night. But I’m not short of company. A skylight positioned above the bed lets me admire the heavens as I drift off to sleep, Canis Major, Orion and the Pleiades soaring above.

The NamibRand is one of my favourite corners of Namibia and a shining example of how private investment and eco-tourism have come together to protect and conserve vast swaths of the country.

Another pioneering project is the massive Palmwag Concession in the north, 90 minutes by light aircraft from Windhoek. It covers a staggering 5 800km2, and with rhinoceros conservation being a hot topic, it seemed fitting that my first stop on a whirlwind trip through northern Namibia should be Wilderness Safaris’ Desert Rhino Camp.

With the flat-topped Etendeka Mountains forming a dramatic backdrop, the eight Meru-style safari tents that make up the lodge are suitably low-key, blending gently into the environment. The accommodation here is comfortable rather than luxurious and the focus is firmly on discovering the incredible landscapes and wildlife adapted to this harsh semi-desert environment.

Twice-daily game drives make the most of the scenery, and although you shouldn’t come expecting to

9.

OPPOSITE PAGE Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp is a short drive from the Hoanib riverbed, where seasonal floodwaters have cut deep into the sandy plains 6. An oasis in the desert – the Hoanib River bursts to the surface not far from the Skeleton Coast 7. Twitchers can look forward to spectacular birding on day trips to the rugged Skeleton Coast 8. The Hoanib River is home to a surprising diversity of wildlife, most of it uniquely adapted to the harsh desert conditions 9. Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp is run entirely off solar power – innovative double roofs and canvas panel architecture keep the suites cool

see herds of game, I was never short of sightings. One morning we startled an aardwolf from its burrow, while my final evening saw us spend a happy half-hour in the company of three juvenile spotted hyena.

A member of the Big Five you’re almost guaranteed to see is Diceros bicornis. Palmwag is home to the world’s largest population of free-roaming black rhinoceros, and the lodge works closely with the Save the Rhino Trust (SRT) in monitoring and protecting this endangered species. A happy spin-off for guests is the chance to view these incredible animals up close and on foot.

One morning a long drive leads us to the southern corner of the concession, where rangers from SRT have been tracking a female and calf. In single file we traverse a rock-strewn hillside, scrambling and slipping our way uphill as gracefully as we can. At the crest the ranger calls a halt and there, just 50 metres away, is a black rhino calf. Barely three months old, resting in the shade of a Damaraland euphorbia while her mother keeps a close watch nearby. It’s a thrilling way to see one of the largest herbivores in Africa.

Days at Desert Rhino Camp pass in a similar fashion, with nature drives in the morning and afternoon and lazy days by the small lodge pool.

A surprise bush dinner offers a wonderful last night under the stars before it’s time to head back to the airstrip for my flight north.

My destination is Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp, the newest lodge in the Wilderness Safaris portfolio, and one I’d wager is also the most impressive. Set in a flat, sandy valley in an embrace of rocky walls, this sleek, Z I MBA L I R ESO RT L I F E | 4 5

Zimbali_Luxury_Travel_Namibia_FA.indd 45

2015/04/23 11:15 AM

WANDERLUST

10.

11.

this sleek, modern lodge is a welcome change from the clichéd offering of many safari camps. There’s no stuffed buffalo head above the fireplace or masculine leather couches in the smoking lounge. Rather, the decor is about muted tones and clean understated style, woven rugs and subtle local crafts, sleek white chairs and stacking-glass doors to let the desert views in.

The Bedouin-style roofs keep the eight canvasand-wood suites cool, while the stylish open-sided communal lounge is a fine place to while away the hazy hours between game excursions. A day-trip to the Skeleton Coast was certainly a highlight, but it was a simple ramble through the Hoanib riverbed one morning that I’ll remember most fondly.

With floodwaters carving a deep channel through the desert sands, the Hoanib River is quite remarkable: underground water keeps the mopane and ana trees green throughout the year, turning the dry riverbed into a shady alleyway sought out by oryx, elephant and giraffe. We saw herds of all three one cool morning.

Before the sun erased the shadows a lonely brown hyena, his shaggy coat and shuffling gait unmistakeable, wandered away through the dunes.

Morning game drives slip effortlessly into lunch on the wooden deck and an afternoon lazing by the lap pool. There are offers of a guided walk, but with the mercury in the mid-30s it’s easy to resist.

As the heat slips out of the day, though, we’re back in the Land Rover and heading for the hills. In the late afternoon we chance on five lions surprising an unwary giraffe. A brief chase yields nothing more than a mouthful of dust for the inexperienced males,

10. Desert Rhino Camp has a low-key vintage safari feel that puts landscapes above bells and whistles 11. Tracking black rhino on foot is one of the highlights of a stay at Desert Rhino Camp in the Palmwag concession 12. Palmwag covers an incredible 5 800km2 and Desert Rhino Camp enjoys exclusive traversing rights over a large private concession 13. Muted tones, modern architecture, clean lines – Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp sets the bar high for modern safari camps 14. Let the wildlife come to you – thirsty elephants visit the waterhole at Hoanib

12.

who retire to the shade and hope their luck changes that night.

With the shadows lengthening, we follow the last rays of sun to the hilltops overlooking the Hoanib River.

The table is set with petrified wood and ice-cold G&Ts and as the sun dips over the sands of the Namib Desert the words of Wilfred Thesiger spring to mind: “No man can live this life and emerge unchanged. He will carry, however faint, the imprint of the desert, the brand which marks the nomad; and he will have within him the yearning to return. For this cruel land can cast a spell which no temperate clime can match.”

The veteran British explorer may have been writing about the Rub’ al Khali, the vast Empty Quarter that stretches across the heart of the Arabian Peninsula, but standing on a lonely hilltop surrounded by endless Namib Desert, I think old Thesiger was right. There is, indeed, a yearning to return.

Make it happen.

Little Black Book Air Namibia: flies from Johannesburg and Cape Town to Windhoek: airnamibia.com; 011 012 9460 Wilderness Safaris: wilderness-safaris.com; 011 807 1800 andBeyond: andbeyond.com; 011 809 4300

4 6 | Z I M BA L I R ESORT L I F E

Zimbali_Luxury_Travel_Namibia_FA.indd 46

2015/04/22 5:18 PM

13.

‘For this cruel land can cast a spell which no temperate clime can match’ Wilfred Thesiger

14.

Zimbali_Luxury_Travel_Namibia_FA.indd 47

2015/04/22 5:19 PM

FAIRMONT HERITAGE PLACE Dreaming of owning a private beach villa for family holidays?

Fairmont Heritage Place Zimbali offers the perfect solution to second-home ownership with a membership concept that takes care of absolutely everything, five-star style

I

magine an exclusive membership to Fairmont Heritage Place, the only internationally branded private residence club in South Africa. Imagine unlimited access to five-star facilities with a guaranteed minimum of 21 nights in any one of Fairmont Heritage Place’s 18 exclusive villas. It is all yours as an exclusive member of Fairmont Heritage Place, a premium membership concept that is fast becoming the perfect solution to second-home ownership and the burdens associated with a traditional holiday property.

Each of these beautifully appointed Indonesian-inspired coastal villas at Fairmont Heritage Place offers a home from home and a haven of luxury and relaxation, especially for you and your family. Members have full access to world-class amenities, including hotel chefs and the five-star concierge service, all from the privacy of their own home. In addition, there are numerous exclusive dining experiences to enjoy, the Willow Stream Spa, an exclusive gym, private ocean-side beach club, swimming

pools, tennis courts and a kids’ club. Nature lovers can spend hours walking trails through coastal forest and along the pristine beaches, while avid golfers have access to the renowned 18-hole Tom Weiskopf-designed championship golf course.

Fairmont Heritage Place also offers exotic international exchange opportunities, as membership allows you to book international destinations and holidays in a portfolio of Fairmont Heritage Place hotels and resorts around the world.

In addition, when joining Fairmont Heritage Place Zimbali, owners automatically become part of the by-invitation-only Fairmont President’s Circle Club, a gilt-edged membership offering preferential treatment and discounts at Fairmont’s legendary hotels around the world.

One of the most rewarding aspects of this exclusive ownership is that it is transferable, keeping the legacy alive and allowing members to share this unrivalled holiday lifestyle with generations to come.

The Fairmont Heritage Place Zimbali private residence club is your key to a legacy of luxury and a lifestyle investment that may be handed down from generation to generation

Zimbali Sales Centre | Zimbali Northgate Suites, Zimbali Coastal Resort, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa +27 (0)32 538 1205 | sales@fairmontzimbali.co.za fairmontzimbali.co.za 4 8 | Z I M BA L I R ESORT L I F E

Zimbali fractional residence club_2015_FA.indd 48

2015/04/22 2:10 PM

DESIGNER WINELANDS

NEW FACE for old Cape farms Centuries after the first vines were planted, a handful of historic Cape wine estates are being reinterpreted for a new generation of global traveller. Richard Holmes investigates P HOTO G RA P H S LA R P HOTO G RA P HY, BA BY LO NSTO R E N, SU P PL I ED Z I MBA L I R ESO RT L I F E | 49

Zimbali_foodandwine_FA.indd 49

2015/04/22 3:49 PM

1.

5 0 | ZI M BA L I R ESORT L I F E

Zimbali_foodandwine_FA.indd 50

2015/04/22 3:50 PM

DESIGNER WINELANDS

‘The kitchen’s very much in the restaurant space, so it has the hustlebustle feel of a country kitchen’ Christiaan Campbell, executive chef, Boschendal

2.

Opening page A custom-designed botanical-graphic wall mural was commissioned by Lázaro RosaViolán of Contemporain Studio in Spain for the entrance to the Chef’s Kitchen – a relaxed tasting and dining area. The Batavian blue-and-white colour theme of the hand made tiles reflects throughout the restaurant, an eclectic space that called for a fresh interpretation of the Cape Huguenot aesthetic. Contemporary light fittings offset original poplar beams and reed ceilings in what was once the milking shed, giving the sense of an old farm kitchen and dining room. The interiors were a collaboration between Lázaro and Philip Briel Architects

3.

1. Executive Chef Christiaan Campbell oversees an interactive dining experience at the Chef’s Counter in the traditional farm kitchen.

Joinery is purposefully simplistic in design and brass and copper accents, along with hand made wall tiles, make it an inviting space 2. Free-range beef flat rib, bone marrow, bone broth and aubergine heart served farmstyle 3. The entrance to the new Werf restaurant is on the right of the Manor House and the Deli opposite, on the left 4. Heavenly chocolate ribbon, sorbet and mint dessert

4.

The Drakenstein Valley would have been a very different place when the French Huguenot Jean le Long first settled here in the shadow of the Simonsberg and Jonkershoek mountains. The year was 1685, and just 30 years had passed since Jan van Riebeeck landed at the Cape to establish a refreshment station for the ships of the Dutch East India Company.

The company’s ships, sailing to trading ports in the East, needed safe harbour to rest, recuperate and – crucially – restock their holds. Sweet water and fresh produce were essential for the long and hazardous journey around Cape Point and east to the Asian trading ports of Bengal and Batavia.

Van Riebeeck had planted the Company’s Garden near the Castle of Good Hope to keep the ships well stocked, but demand soon outstripped supply and the farms of the Cape colony fanned outwards towards the distant Hottentots-Holland Mountains. Title deeds were granted and the land was tilled. Profits were made and fine homesteads were built.

Le Long settled on the area of modern-day Boschendal, but he wasn’t alone in taming the lands beneath the distant mountains. At Stellenbosch in 1692 Arnoud Jansz was granted the hills that today make up the acclaimed Spier wine farm, while the Constantia winelands sprouted grand manor houses and manicured estates. In the Franschhoek Valley another French Huguenot, Pierre Joubert, planted the first vines on La Motte in the mid-1700s and built the impressive manor house and historic cellar that still stand today.

In 1700 one Willem Adriaan van der Stel, the new governor of the Cape, claimed a 30 000-hectare estate on the slopes of the Hottentots-Holland with views stretching out over False Bay. A three-day journey by ox-wagon from the castle, the name Vergelegen – ‘situated far away’ – seemed apt.

Although the dictatorial Van der Stel was widely disliked and was eventually ordered back to Holland amid accusations of corruption, his farm was hailed as one of the finest in the Cape. With corn mills and herds of livestock as well as vines, orchards and groves of fruit trees, it was a cornucopia of fresh produce ready to be hauled to the Cape Town harbour and loaded onto waiting ships.

The fortunes of these historic farms have waxed and waned over the centuries, but the resurgence in winelands tourism has granted the great Cape estates a new lease of life. New investment has revitalised old buildings, vineyards and gardens have been replanted and, perhaps more importantly, their gates have been thrown open to the public to explore and experience life on a venerable Cape farm.

Perhaps the most notable reincarnation of a historic estate is the 2 000-hectare farm of Boschendal, roughly midway between the winelands towns of Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl.

The estate has a long and colourful history, from the Huguenot le Long to the De Villiers family who Z I MBA L I R ESO RT L I F E | 51

Zimbali_foodandwine_FA.indd 51

2015/04/23 11:03 AM

DESIGNER WINELANDS

transformed the farm and kept it in the family for more than 160 years. It’s thanks to Abraham, the original patriarch, that the striking Cape Dutch manor house was built. The estate has had no shortage of notable owners in its time: mining magnate Cecil John Rhodes bought the property in 1897 and wasted no time in making a second fortune off the export of fruit to Great Britain and beyond.

Today farming remains the backbone of Boschendal, but its new owners have poured capital into the farm’s hospitality offerings, and the rejuvenated estate is set to become one of the standout food-and-wine destinations in the winelands.

Overnight guest accommodation is one of the most exciting additions to the estate, with a range of cottages either newly built and carefully restored.

Rhodes Cottage, on the quieter northern portion of the property, was designed for Cecil John Rhodes by acclaimed colonial architect Sir Herbert Baker and is decorated in a gently opulent colonial style.

With private gardens, two swimming pools and a dedicated housekeeper to look after the five bedrooms spread across the main house and private annexe, it is one of the most captivating exclusive-use properties in the winelands.

Don’t fancy yourself a colonial magnate on holiday?

No problem. Smaller cottages and self-catering units are spread out across the farm. The renovated Orchard Cottages dish up family-friendly country luxury, with large outdoor areas and a shared swimming pool. While these offer easy access to the mountain bike trails and hiking paths on the flanks of the Simonsberg, travellers seeking to be within walking distance of food and wine venues will do better staying closer to the manor house in the Werf Cottages. Stylishly renovated in a serene country style, each cottage offers an indoor fireplace and small kitchen. Not that you’ll be using the kitchen, since the estate’s two restaurants are a short walk away.

Christiaan Campbell, who put the hilltop Delaire Graff Estate on the culinary map, has been lured down to the valley floor as executive chef at Boschendal. What was once a stop known mostly for its large crowds and parking lot of tour buses is fast becoming a charming winelands offering with carefully curated food, wine and accommodation.

The Boschendal estate picnics have long been a popular option for visitors seeking a casual lunch in the winelands, but the opening of the Farmshop & Deli in the restored wagon house now offers a lovely lightlunch destination. Tables here spill out onto gravel pathways shaded by elderly oak trees, with the original manor house and farm buildings framing this peaceful, historic corner of the estate.

‘It’s all about cafe-style food inspired by what we have right here on the estate,’ explains Christiaan, a chef who has long been a proponent of using sustainable, locally sourced produce. ‘We bake all our own breads and we do a great burger using meat from Boschendal’s herd of grass-fed Angus cattle.’

The rejuvenated estate is set to become one of the standout food-andwine destinations in the winelands 5.

5. Christiaan’s farm platter with tempting salads served with bread and pâté: fig, grilled leek, blue cheese and pumpkin seed salad; cauliflower, cabbage, smoked angel fish and baby cos lettuce salad

6.

6. The wood-burning fireplace is in keeping with the minimalist contemporary addition but is lined with traditional klompie (clay) bricks, reminiscent of the original brandkas 7. Spanish photographer Daniel Alea’s modern take on traditional Flemish portraits depict a French Huguenot in traditional clothing, holding oversized produce. The dresser lined with Delft plates gives this dining area an inviting farmhouse atmosphere

7.

8. ‘In contrast to the “old building”, the new extension is a contemporary lightweight glass box conservatory, with an adjoining external deck treated as a “clip-on” element to the traditional structure, while the locally sourced tiled floor creates a threshold between old and new,’ explains Pier-Marie Rossouw of Philip Briel Architecture and Urban Design.

Clean lines and lightweight elements contrast with the heavy handcrafted masonry walls of the traditional werf architecture and its small vernacular openings, while divisions in the glazing line complement the vertical orientation of traditional openings.’ The spacious terrace overlooks Boschendal’s recently planted veggie gardens that will be spectacular when fully established

5 2 | ZI M BA L I R ESORT L I F E

Zimbali_foodandwine_FA.indd 52

2015/04/23 11:04 AM

8.

Z I MBA L I R ESO RT L I F E | 53

Zimbali_foodandwine_FA.indd 53

2015/04/22 3:52 PM

9.

5 4 | Z I M BA L I R ESORT L I F E

Zimbali_foodandwine_FA.indd 54

2015/04/22 3:53 PM

DESIGNER WINELANDS

‘‘It’s all about modern farmto-table cooking.

We’re going to take inspiration from what’s coming out of the gardens and get creative with whatever’s fresh and in season’

10.

Christiaan Campbell, executive chef, Boschendal

11.

9. A mirrored ceiling draws attention to this antique ‘jam pot’, refurbished to create a communal basin that allows three guests to wash their hands simultaneously 10. Campbell is determined to make fine dining an interactive experience at Werf 11. Smoked chicken and poached tree tomatoes served with jelly and fermented cream 12. An avenue of oaks defines the revamped Werf precinct at Boschendal. Pop into the tasting room to stock up on wine, or visit the new-look deli or shop on the way home – unless you’re tempted by the herb garden or a peek into the historic Manor House museum, offering a glimpse into the glorious past Architects: philipbriel.com Interiors: Lázaro RosaViolán, Studio Contemporain, lazarorosalviolan.com

12.

That farm-to-table ethos extends to The Werf, Boschendal’s flagship restaurant situated in the estate’s revamped historic cellar, which promises a new take on the open-kitchen concept.

‘The kitchen’s very much in the restaurant space, so it has the hustle-bustle feel of a country kitchen,’ adds Campbell. ‘There is a marble counter where chefs plate salads and cold dishes, and then another beautiful U-shaped wooden counter in the upper level of the restaurant, where desserts are prepared.’

While the feel may be country, Campbell’s cuisine is anything but simple. Although the pared-down menu offers just a handful of choices per course, the focus is on playful and inventive cuisine that puts the produce centre stage.

‘It’s all about modern farm-to-table cooking,’ says Campbell. ‘We’re going to take inspiration from what’s coming out of the gardens and get creative with whatever’s fresh and in season.’

A two-hectare vegetable garden is planned, to keep the kitchens well stocked with fresh seasonal produce, and the chefs are already tapping into the wild mushrooms and bountiful fruit orchards on the estate.

Of course, Boschendal isn’t the first historic Cape estate to enjoy a modern-day renaissance. When it comes to gardens, Babylonstoren, which dates back to 1692, sets the bar high.

Owned by Naspers Chairman Koos Bekker and his wife, Karen Roos, the three-hectare formal French kitchen garden complements the rows of trellised vines and fruit orchards that blanket the 200-hectare farm on the northern slopes of the Simonsberg. Inspired by the original Company’s Garden, the Babylonstoren garden is home to more than 300 varieties of edible fruit, vegetables and herbs, most of which are used in the estate’s two stylish restaurants.

The Farm Hotel has also proven a hit with global travellers. Twelve guest cottages built in the Cape Dutch style offer graceful interiors and wonderful farm stays. Such is the demand that a further nine farmhouse suites are under construction, along with a new hot-spa area boasting indoor and outdoor pools.

These two landmark estates are certainly not alone, and you could easily fill a few weeks wandering between the rejuvenated homesteads of the Cape winelands. From art to food to stylish hotels, there’s a myriad reasons to visit, and each is entirely different from the next.

And yet they are cut from the same bolt of historic Cape cloth. For, while today’s global travellers may arrive on 747s rather than square-riggers, these landmark Cape estates are still doing exactly what they were when old Jean le Long first put down his leather trunk: keeping far-flung travellers well-fed and treating them to authentic Cape hospitality.

Z I MBA L I R ESO RT L I F E | 55

Zimbali_foodandwine_FA.indd 55

2015/04/23 11:04 AM

Other estates worth a visit Vergelegen WHERE: Somerset West WHY VISIT: The estate boasts 17 formal gardens, including the remarkable Camellia Garden of Excellence and the historic Octagonal Garden.

The 300-year-old camphor trees are among the oldest in the country and have been declared national monuments. The estate also offers two excellent restaurants: Camphors, for fine dining, and the relaxed bistro-style Stables, overlooking the child-friendly East Garden. vergelegen.co.za

La Motte WHERE: Franschhoek WHY VISIT: Before you sample the innovative Cape winelands cuisine at Pierneef Ă La Motte restaurant, discover its namesake. The La Motte Museum is home to a wide selection of works by acclaimed South African landscape artist Jacob Hendrik Pierneef. The estate offers a number of self-guided walks too. la-motte.com

Solms-Delta Wine Estate WHERE: Franschhoek WHY VISIT: The remarkable Museum van de Caab traces the social history of Cape wine estates, honouring and recording the life of the early inhabitants of the region and the slaves who first worked these lands. The Music van de Caab Centre likewise celebrates the region’s rich musical heritage. solms-delta.co.za

5 6 | ZI M BA L I R ESORT L I F E

Zimbali_foodandwine_FA.indd 56

2015/04/23 11:04 AM

RESORT LIVING

Inspired by the original Company’s Garden, the Babylonstoren garden is home to more than 300 varieties of edible fruit, vegetables and herbs, most of which are used in the estate’s two stylish restaurants

13.

Z I MBA L I R ESO RT L I F E | 57

Zimbali_foodandwine_FA.indd 57

2015/04/22 3:55 PM

HOLIDAY IN PARADISE Zimbali Coastal Resort’s extensive portfolio of self-catering luxury villas and exclusive apartments provides the chance of a lifetime to holiday in one of the most pristine getaways on earth

I

f relaxing beside your own private pool while drinking in expansive sea views from your luxury villa sounds to you like the true definition of ‘holiday’, then set your GPS unit for Zimbali Coastal Resort, a protected tropical paradise on the balmy KwaZulu-Natal coast of South Africa.

From beachfront homes to forest and golf course hideaways, holidaymakers are spoilt for choice with an array of the finest in luxury self-catering apartments and holiday houses for rent at Zimbali Coastal Resort, where many of the properties form part of their owners’ investment portfolios. Rental guests also enjoy complimentary access to a variety of five-star facilities and recreational activities that form part of the Zimbali offering, such as the estate’s 18-hole championship golf course and its endless stretch of secluded beach.

Activity junkies will delight in nature trails that provide a chance to immerse themselves in the rich local flora and fauna of the estate’s private reserve, while culinary cravings are well catered for by a choice of dining venues.

The Willow Stream Spa at the Fairmont Hotel, meanwhile, provides the perfect setting for de-stressing and rejuvenating the soul.

And for business execs wanting to incentivise hard-working employees, there’s no beating a corporate golf or team-building break at Zimbali Coastal Resort.

Above all, peace of mind is guaranteed by the experienced Zimbali rentals team, which is located on site to ensure your holiday is one from which lasting memories are made.

Holidaying visitors will reap the benefits of a stay in paradise that is pure exclusivity

Zimbali Northgate Suites | Zimbali Coastal Resort, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa PO Box 130, Zimbali Coastal Resort, 4422 +27 (0)32 538 1351 | rentals@zimbalicr.com zimbalicr.com 5 8 | ZI M BA L I R ESORT L I F E

Zimbali_Rentals_2015_FA.indd 58

2015/04/22 2:25 PM

samsonite.co.za

6 0 | ZI M BA L I R ESORT L I F E

Zimbali_SuperYachts.indd 60

2015/04/21 12:26 AM

SUPER-YACHTS

GOING overboard T E XT S I M ON W I L L I AM S P H OTO GRA P HS GAL LO IM AGES/H U LTO N ARCH I V E / DAV ID CAI RNS (O P E NI NG PO RT RAI T) , SU P P L I E D

Like the very best sports car or the intricate workings of a top-drawer watch, super-yachts are the product of remarkable engineering and vision. Craftsmanship aside, nothing else announces to the world that you have arrived Z I MBA L I R ESO RT L I F E | 6 1

Zimbali_SuperYachts.indd 61

2015/04/23 10:47 AM

SUPER-YACHTS

1.

For many, the word ‘yacht’ may conjure up images of sleek sailing boats with tiny cramped cabins and only enough room on deck for wizened sailors to do their tacking, winching and reflecting out to sea. But life on the modern-day, multimillion-dollar super-yacht is geared towards luxury, comfort and incomparable indulgence. Uniformed crew members attend to the every whim of passengers, and fears of seasickness or frizzy hair are packed away in Louis Vuitton carryalls as the pampered wealthy smile their way from marina to marina in the sun-kissed ports of Saint-Tropez, Monte Carlo and Portofino.

For years, images of the rich and famous aboard private luxury watercraft – from Richard Burton romancing Elizabeth Taylor on the classic Kalizma to the more recent newlyweds George Clooney and Amal Alamuddin whipping up a frenzy when they whizzed to Venice’s grand 13th-century Palazzo Cavalli in their vintage speedboat, Amore – have been the fodder of tabloid magazines and their voyeuristic readers. Indeed, the lives of the rich and famous look intangibly glamorous against the backdrop of multilevel decks, helicopter pads and onboard swimming pools.

By modern standards, Kalizma (named after Burton’s daughters Kate, Liza and Maria) is a mere dinghy. Still in commission and beautifully modernised, the 165-foot classic Edwardian motor yacht, originally launched as Minona, was used by the British navy in World War One and World War Two, although, arguably, she saw more hostility in the Burton-Taylor years than in either of the wars.

2.

OPENING SPREAD Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor, the Brangelina of yesteryear, on board his private yacht, the Kalizma. Years later, this exquisite vessel, which was once the scene of Hollywood scandals and paparazzi pot shots, enjoys an elegant retirement from the limelight in its fully refurbished splendour 1. Many of today’s luxury yachts are not unlike large, floating, multistorey luxury apartment buildings or hotels 2. The interiors of larger superyachts are palatial in style if not in size 3. Classic lines and impeccable finishes are hallmarks of the smaller vessels that are nonetheless among the most expensive that money can buy

More than a century later, she is privately owned and touring the waters of the Mediterranean, the Gulf and Southeast Asia.

Contrast, if you will, the Kalizma with the Octopus, which has been spotted at times in several South African ports. Owned by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen and built at a cost of $200 million, the Octopus is 416 feet long, has a permanent crew of more than 50 and boasts a glass-bottomed pool, a 10-man submarine, a basketball court and two helicopters (presumably because one is just never enough).

At the time of its construction in 2003 it was the largest yacht in the world, but today it has been superseded in both size and expense by bigger, better and swankier behemoths of the boating world.

For instance, Leonardo DiCaprio recently took time off from not winning Oscars to grow a hefty beard, march for the environment, speak at the United Nations and spend his Brazil World Cup vacation on the fifth largest yacht in the world, the Topaz. Worth £400 million, it is owned by Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, a billionaire oil tycoon from the UAE who also owns Manchester City Football Club. Measuring 482 feet (about 147 metres) in length and 70,5 feet (some 21,5 metres) across, with a stainless-steel hull and aluminium superstructures, its features include a deck-top Jacuzzi, a fitness centre (to work off the plentiful Martinis), a cinema, a large conference room and, of course, that all-essential accessory, a helicopter pad (Topaz has two).

So, what could possibly eclipse a yacht of such size and luxury? The answer: the 536-foot leviathan

6 2 | Z I M BA L I R ESORT L I F E

Zimbali_SuperYachts.indd 62

2015/04/21 12:26 AM

SUPER-YACHTS

The lives of the rich and famous look intangibly glamorous against the backdrop of multilevel decks, helicopter pads and onboard swimming pools 3.

Z I MBA L I R ESO RT L I F E | 63

Zimbali_SuperYachts.indd 63

2015/04/21 12:26 AM

SUPER-YACHTS

6 4 | Z I M BA L I R ESORT L I F E

Zimbali_SuperYachts.indd 64

2015/04/21 12:26 AM

SUPER-YACHTS

One wonders whether oneupmanship is a box to be checked on the order forms given to the creators of these increasingly hefty pleasure crafts

4.

5.

4. Measuring 132m in length and 60m in height, the concept Star superyacht by Igor Lobanov offers more than 3,500m2 of interior space and is being touted as the world’s most exclusive hotel 5. Minimalist interiors and aquiline furniture might make you think of being in outer space rather than on the high seas, but concept designs like these will probably become real yachts within a few years

owned by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, who owns Chelsea Football Club. (It would seem that superyachts and league-winning football clubs are must-haves for today’s average billionaire).

Eclipse has the usual features, styling and accessories and chest-thumbing grandiosity of Topaz, only it is bigger, better and – rumoured in some circles to be priced north of a billion dollars – certainly more expensive. And yet it is smaller and less lavish than what must surely be the world’s biggest yacht, Azzam (590 feet by 68 feet four inches), which is owned by the half-brother of the owner of Topaz, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahyan, who undoubtedly has as many billions in the bank as he does letters in his name.

One wonders whether one-upmanship is a box to be checked on the order forms given to the creators of these increasingly hefty pleasure crafts. Is it simply a case of, ‘Here is a blank cheque, make it pointy at the front end and bigger than the other bloke’s’?

This would be a pity, as there are many classic, exquisitely designed yachts that are smaller but just as envy inducing.

Princess Yachts, a luxury-boat-building company based in Plymouth, UK, is less likely to build you a boat that you’d have to parallel park to get into the Mediterranean than to offer watercraft that are more understated and yet no less glamorous. The late South African business icon Graham Beck was no stranger to the champagne lifestyle – after all, Z I MBA L I R ESO RT L I F E | 65

Zimbali_SuperYachts.indd 65

2015/04/21 12:26 AM

SUPER-YACHTS

he built an empire that includes Barack Obama as a fan. What is perhaps less commonly known about Beck, however, is that he was once the owner of Princess Yachts.

This boatbuilder has real luxury clout. Sold by Beck in 2008, the company is now owned by LVMH, the multinational conglomerate that turns out posh luggage, real French champagne and fine cognac.

It seems self-evident that one would add a luxury yacht to a shopping list that contains a Louis Vuitton suitcase, a case of Moët & Chandon and a bottle of Hennessy. Princess Yachts, which started as Marine Projects making 20-foot dayboats, now sells a range of 80 boats topped by 95-foot luxury cruisers, all of which test the superlative.

Italian yacht builder Riva may not agree to knock you up a yacht big enough to land a space shuttle on. Rather, its emphasis is on craftsmanship, quality and, as it puts it, ‘innovative design’. Its creations are smaller – yachts of 27 to 115 feet in length – and eschew brashness for elegance.

With a long, rich history dating back to a stormy day in 1842, Riva has crafted yachts for the discerning wealthy, with Brigitte Bardot, Sophia Loren and Sean Connery among its famous customers. The legend of the Riva empire was born at Lake Iseo in Sarnico, Italy, where a newly arrived Pietro Riva undertook to repair boats damaged in a massive storm. From these somewhat humble beginnings in the Riva boatyard, the eponymous dynasty has crafted many vessels, with each new generation building on the legacy of the design and innovation of the one before. In the golden age of the 1950s, Carlo Riva created his chef-d’oeuvre, the Ariston, which was ‘designed with love, born pure and strong like a pedigree horse’. ‘Unforgettable!’ he enthused. ‘It was my lord of the sea.’

In 1962, with designer and architect Giorgio Barilani now on board the Riva team, the Aquarama was launched. Sailing under the slogan ‘Sun, sea, joie de vivre’, it became a symbol of luxury and entered yachting folklore, so much so that Ferruccio Lamborghini, the founder of the supercar manufacturers, decided to marry a pair of Italian icons by putting two of his V-12 engines onto his specially ordered Aquarama hull.

This extraordinary creation had long been forgotten in a boatyard before being restored to its former glory

by Riva-World with the assistance of the Lamborghini Museum in Italy. During the three-year restoration, the wooden hull was lovingly repaired, sanded and treated to 25 layers of new coatings. The chrome was buffed back to its shiny splendour and the interior restored and re-upholstered under the watchful eye of… Carlo Riva. The original V-12s weren’t available, so they were replaced by adapted Lamborghini power-horses. Indeed, the owner of this classic beauty might not need two helicopters, but would have a one-off that is as timeless as it is legendary.

6.

With a long, rich history dating back to a stormy day in 1842, Riva has crafted yachts for the discerning wealthy, with Brigitte Bardot, Sophia Loren and Sean Connery among its famous customers

6. Resembling a cyclist’s helmet, this is a concept design by renowned architect Zaha Hadid, whose creations have ranged from iconic buildings to wine bottles. In collaboration with shipbuilders Blohm + Voss, the planned Unique Circle Yacht is based on the sculptural form of a 128m prototype yacht with exterior shaping meant to evoke the structures of natural marine formations 7. Attention to detail and assiduous craftsmanship make Riva boats a favourite among the well-heeled 8. The sleek lines of this Riva seacraft epitomise speed and grace as it scythes through the waters of Lake Como

6 6 | ZI M BA L I R ESORT L I F E

Zimbali_SuperYachts.indd 66

2015/04/23 10:47 AM

SUPER-YACHTS

7.

8.

Z I MBA L I R ESO RT L I F E | 67

Zimbali_SuperYachts.indd 67

2015/04/21 12:26 AM

HOTEL CONDOMINIUMS The opportunity to invest in sectional title condominiums at the Fairmont Zimbali Resort Hotel comes with a guaranteed return on the purchase price for the first three years

OPTIMA font

TRAJAN PRO font

Location and brand – supported by the reputation of the estate and the stability of the hotel owner – are vital

I

deally located, the condominiums have expansive views of the Indian Ocean and the magnificent resort swimming pool, which is nestled among beautifully landscaped indigenous gardens and water features. As part of the 154-room Zimbali Resort Hotel, they offer a low-risk investment opportunity for those who love the five-star hotel lifestyle but enjoy the convenience of creating a homefrom-home on holiday, knowing that their investment will earn its keep for the rest of the year. Spacious and comfortably appointed, the units are fitted with modern conveniences and technology, making time spent at the resort memorable and relaxing.

Condominiums are purchased on the basis that they will be made available to the hotel. The hotel determines the room rate, books the accommodation and is responsible for ensuring that occupancy is as high as possible. Anyone looking for a sound property investment in a reputable five-star environment, with the ability

to utilise the facilities personally and receive a return will see the benefit of investing in the condominiums.

An agreed number of nights are allocated annually for personal use, including access to Fairmont Zimbali Resort’s and the greater Zimbali Coastal Estate’s five-star facilities.

Because the revenue is pooled, the units are continually generating returns. The hotel has a ‘blackout’ of 30 nights per annum, and the rest of the year is banded into high, medium and low season. Owners have access to all seasons, within certain limitations.

Rentals are managed by Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, a Canadian-based international management company that operates some of the most prestigious hotels in the world.

The advantages of this management structure is global brand presence, word-class hoteloperating skills and access to a market of international guests who typically are willing to pay a higher room rate. Please visit www.fairmont.com for further details.

BENEFITS AT A GLANCE n Condominium owners share of rental pool revenue guaranteed at 8% of purchase price per annum for the first three years. This protects investors from occupancy variables n Participation in the rental pool of the Fairmont Hotels & Resorts is mandatory. n Levies are deducted from the rental pool income share. n An agreed number of nights are allocated annually for owners’ personal use. n Zimbali Coastal Resort products boast a proven record of capital growth. n Owner have easy golf cart access to Zimbali Lakes Golf Club and amenities.

DIVISION/ALLOCATION OF RENTAL INCOME n 5% of the total hotel revenue is allocated to a maintenance reserve and the remaining 95% is allocated pro rata to the number of hotel versus condo rooms. n Condo income is then shared between the condo investors and the hotel, with investors taking a 25% share of the income. This amount is then shared by the hotel condo rooms according to a predetermined allocation, which gives the amount due to the investor.

Zimbali Sales Centre | Zimbali Northgate Suites, Zimbali Coastal Resort, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa +27 (0)32 538 1205 | sales@fairmontzimbali.co.za zimbali.com/property/sales-and-letting 6 8 | ZI M BA L I R ESORT L I F E

Zimbali_adv_OC_2015_FA.indd 68

2015/04/22 2:23 PM

escapes from

REALITY

70 | ZI M BA L I R ESORT L I F E

Zimbali_Architecture_Future of Hotels.indd 70

2015/04/23 10:34 AM

HI-TECH HOTELS

Some seem to defy the laws of physics; others are so remote that just reaching them requires nothing short of a time machine‌ The hotels of tomorrow are indeed stranger than fiction. Jocelyn Warrington explores the shape of spaces to come P H OTO G RA PHS AL EX F RADKI N, CHR IS MCLE NNAN, SUPPL I ED

Z I MBA L I R ESO RT L I F E | 7 1

Zimbali_Architecture_Future of Hotels.indd 71

2015/04/23 10:36 AM

FIRST CLASS GLAMOUR

1.

1 & 2. Czech architectural firm Atelier 8000’s plans for an isolated lodge in Slovakia’s Tatra Mountains are so dramatic that, if realised, they could well lure design aficionados to this little-known region in droves. The Kezmarska Hut, which resembles a giant Rubik’s cube wedged in ice, would be coated in solar energy-producing panels and, inside, finished with plain larch wood and simply furnished 3 & 4. How about staying in one of the world’s most iconic signs, with a jaw-dropping view over Los Angeles? Proposed

by Danish firm Bay Arch, the Hollywood Sign Hotel would radically alter the existing Californian landmark by doubling the size of its letters and extending them at the rear to incorporate a 10-level, 308-room hotel, complete with cinemas, clubs, spas and other leisure facilities

2.

7 2 | Z I M BA L I R ESORT L I F E

Zimbali_Architecture_Future of Hotels.indd 72

2015/04/23 10:36 AM

HI-TECH HOTELS

3.

4.

From an airship that drifts over delicate ecosystems, allowing guests to enjoy these environments without damaging them, to a glass-roofed floating hotel wedged between two Norwegian fjords, in the everchanging world of the hotel industry, the future is nothing if not interesting. Within the next decade, say futurists, space will be the final frontier for millennial travellers as journeys into Earth’s orbit become more affordable for the ultra-luxury market. And underwater resorts – already a reality at a handful of destinations worldwide – will become mainstream and feature high on the travel agenda.

But, not only will hotel design respond dramatically to the ceaseless urge to see more and do the neverbefore-done, but hotel rooms themselves – indeed, the whole hospitality experience, from reserving one’s

OPENING IMAGE Built on the principles of sustainability and respect for nature and culture, the award-winning Fogo Island Inn is set in an austere landscape off the northeastern coast of Newfoundland. From March to June it offers a front-row seat to massive floes heading down Iceberg Alley from Greenland to the North Atlantic. Every one of the 29 guest suites has dramatic floor-to-ceiling windows that open onto the wildest and most powerful ocean on the planet. Most also boast a traditional woodburning stove, and all are furnished with handmade furniture and quilts

suite to ordering room service – looks set to change in radical new ways.

According to the ‘Future of Travel 2024’ report issued in September last year by Skyscanner (skyscanner.net), a global passenger flight, hotel and car-hire search engine that receives more than 35 million visitors a month, in the next 10 years travellers will take it as a given that every aspect of their journey, from discovery and booking to transit and flying, will seamlessly incorporate the very latest digital technology. But if the last 20 years has been about social media networks, the next 20, says the report, will be about ‘Big Friendly Data’ (BFD); about brands accessing our online profiles and using our data trails to anticipate our needs, travel plans and hospitality desires.

According to Skyscanner’s director of hotels, Nik Gupta, ‘Hotel software will key into a guest’s social media profiles to enable him or her to book a particular room where everything is set specifically for them. Guests will be provided with exactly the view they like to the type of drinks they want to find in the minibar, as well as menus of things to do, restaurants to eat in and theatre performances to watch, that exactly meet their individual needs and preferences.

In 10 years’ time, advances in digital technology will mean that travellers will have no need to encounter a single human being, from the time they enter their hotel to the time they check out.’

NEW FRONTIERS IN TRAVEL In terms of travel itself, consumers are seeking the experiential, the extreme, the risk-friendly and, when you look at the growing appetite for space travel on the one hand and the lure of undersea worlds on the other, the imaginative and bold.

Today, private companies are vying with each other to make Earth’s orbit a destination for the well-heeled Z I MBA L I R ESO RT L I F E | 7 3

Zimbali_Architecture_Future of Hotels.indd 73

2015/04/23 10:37 AM

5.

rather than a place where only billionaires can afford to go. Indeed, some projects are looking much further into space, with dreams of commercial flights to Mars. As world-leading American futurist Daniel Burrus says, ‘Looking beyond the 10-year mark, we will be able to book more affordable trips into space, where we can go up there and stay up long enough to enjoy and savour an exciting, alien environment.

But relatively affordable trips in low Earth orbit that enable you to experience a few minutes of weightlessness – and establish serious traveller bragging rights – will happen very soon.’

The race for space will initially take intrepid travellers to the outer edges of our planet’s atmosphere. From 2016, World View Enterprises, a private American near-space exploration company, will carry passengers more than 30 kilometres above the Earth’s surface in a pressurised cabin suspended beneath a hi-tech one-gallon (about four litres) helium balloon. A $75 000 ticket will buy you a view previously only seen by astronauts – the stunning curvature of the globe from ultra-high altitude.

Journeys to the bottom of the sea will be another fashionable option for millennial travellers, and one that comes without the cosmic price tag of space travel. Underwater hotel rooms already exist as niche and novelty destinations. The Neptune and Poseidon suites at the Atlantis Hotel at the Palm in Dubai are billed as ‘romantic hideaways with panoramic glass walls looking out into a sea filled with shoals of colourful fish’.

A new wave of travel innovators are scaling up the concept, aiming to build entire hotels beneath the waves rather than single rooms or suites, strongly suggesting that underwater holidays will be a far more mainstream proposition in 10 years’ time.

Interestingly, Skyscanner CEO Gareth Williams predicts that underwater travel will trump space tourism in the 2020s. ‘I suspect that mass underwater exploration and tourism will develop with greater pace than mass space tourism. And I suspect you would get more from it, because there is more to see down there than in space,’ he says.

Whether it’s hotel rooms that anticipate your every whim, or holidays that take you into orbit or below sea level, one thing’s for sure: when it comes to travel, the future is flying at us fast.

6.

7.

8.

5 & 6. Designed by Chinese architect Ma Yansong of MAD and colloquially referred to as the ‘horseshoe hotel’, the striking Sheraton Huzhou Hot Spring Resort is embedded in Lake Taihu, China’s thirdlargest freshwater lake. The shape of the 27-storey hotel was inspired by traditional arch bridges depicted in old Chinese paintings. Its lobby is lit by 20 000 Swarovski and European natural-crystal lamps

74 | Z I M BA L I R ESORT L I F E

Zimbali_Architecture_Future of Hotels.indd 74

2015/04/23 10:38 AM

FIRST CLASS HI-TECH GLAMOUR HOTELS

7 & 8. Those who dream of seeing the northern lights will have the opportunity to do so from a glass-roofed, snowflake-shaped floating hotel come 2017. Developed by Dutch Docklands, a company that specialises in the construction of floating structures, the Krystall hotel will be a luxury property stationed between fjords near Tromsø in northern Norway, one of the best places in the world from which to see the lights 9 & 10. Comprising four prefabricated fibreglass tubes that offer accommodation for up to 49 climbers, LEAPrus 3912 is located on the southern side of Mount Elbrus, a dormant volcano and one of Europe’s highest peaks. The complex was designed by LEAPfactory, a team of Italian architects that specialises in designing accommodation for extreme environments, and includes various integrated technologies to make efficient use of energy and to recycle available resources

9.

10.

‘Travellers will have no need to encounter a single human being, from the time that they enter their hotel to the time that they check out’

Z I MBA L I R ESO RT L I F E | 7 5

Zimbali_Architecture_Future of Hotels.indd 75

2015/04/23 10:38 AM

11. The Songjiang hotel is a £500m ‘cave hotel’ built into the face of an abandoned quarry near Shanghai. The hotel, which was designed by British firm Atkins and opened last year, contains underwater public areas, a leisure complex and a large water park. Its eye-catching centrepiece is a 100m-high waterfall that spills from the hotel roof down to an atrium on the ground floor 12. The Heart hotel by Germany’s ZA Architects is a design proposal for a New York hotel that aims to draw local residents and hotel visitors closer together by embedding the hotel in city life. The bedrooms are in the converted offices that flank the core of the structure – its heart – and leisure facilities are available for everyone’s use

11.

12.

76 | ZI M BA L I R ESORT L I F E

Zimbali_Architecture_Future of Hotels.indd 76

2015/04/23 10:39 AM

HI-TECH HOTELS

‘Underwater exploration and tourism will develop with greater pace than mass space tourism … there is more to see down there than in space’

13.

The sky’s the limit

14.

13 & 14. Star Trek meets The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau in the Water Discus hotel, scheduled to open in Dubai this year. Designed

by Polish firm Deep Ocean Technology, the hotel will be built less than 1,5km below sea level, with aquarium-style windows in 21 suites. Guests will be able to go ‘outside’ in diving gear. Containing a spa, garden and pool, the hotel comprises a pair of discs, one underwater and the other above, allowing guests to admire the ocean depths while making the most of the warm climate. The lower disc will be able to rotate underwater and to rise to the surface in as little as 15 minutes in emergencies

From the innovative to the seriously outlandish, there seems no limit to what the hotel industry will think up next. Take French architect-designer Jean-Marie Massaud’s proposed Manned Cloud hotel (top), a whaleshaped airship that will drift over delicate ecosystems, allowing tourists to enjoy sensitive landscapes without damaging them. Capable of accommodating 40 passengers in 20 twin cabins, along with 15 members of staff, the aeronautical marvel, which will be built over two decks and will include a restaurant and bar, lounge, library, gym, spa and viewing terraces, will maintain a cruise speed of 130km/h.

Award-winning UK-based architect Dr Margot Krasojevic, meanwhile, has recently released renderings of her latest design: a highly advanced pop-up hotel that can be placed directly beside a just-landed private jet (above). Making tiresome crawls through customs a thing of the past, the Jetway hotel’s telescopic shell can be extended or contracted should the interiors be a touch too cramped or airy for guests’ tastes. While dining and cultural attractions aren’t quite on the doorstep, guests’ needs are nonetheless well catered for: in addition to providing the expected bedroom and bathroom, the structure incorporates a lounge area with integrated entertainment system. And, of course, the one-of-a-kind design should ensure it’s definitely a stay to remember.

Z I MBA L I R ESO RT L I F E | 7 7

Zimbali_Architecture_Future of Hotels.indd 77

2015/04/23 10:40 AM

CULINARY DELIGHTS

THE VINUM BAR, ABOVE OSA

‘Seeing how the French, the Spanish, the Italians and other cultures relate to food made me view cuisine more as a lifestyle … It really helped to round out my background coming from a young country like South Africa … Our travels provided me with much more of a feel for what and how I cook’

31 DEGREES

CORAL TREE

Dean Uren, executive chef, Fairmont Zimbali Lodge & Resort

7 8 | ZI M BA L I R ESORT L I F E

Zimbali_FairmontHotel_2015_FA.indd 78

2015/04/22 2:07 PM

FRESHLY CAUGHT SALT ROCK SNAPPER PAN FRIED IN BUTTER AND SERVED WITH ROASTED LEMON AND VEGETABLES

The Fairmont Zimbali Resort offers a full range of culinary experiences, from a quick dash to the deli to signature dining in style

O

ne of the most enjoyable aspects of staying at the Fairmont Zimbali Resort is the exciting mix of dining options it offers, many of which boast magnificent ocean views. Guests may dine at the fine restaurants and soak up the casual ambience, or simply relax around the pools and enjoy the balmy ocean breezes and a meal outdoors.

For discerning diners, contemporary OSA is the hotel’s signature restaurant, offering a modern twist on unhurried traditional fare. This elegant two-storey supper-clubstyle venue has the classy Vinum wine bar upstairs, which is perfect for pre-dinner drinks. Having whet their appetites, guests can then head downstairs to partake of a sublime meal, paired with wines from OSA’s outstanding South African wine list, awarded prestigious Diamond status by Diners Club these past three years.

At the pool, guests can take a break at Ayoba. This is the place to be if you are a tequila fanatic. Pop in and you’ll find the premium line of Don Julio tequila. Innovative

ELEGANT AND LIGHT, THE TIRAMISU IS A WINNER

bartenders, who attend the Brandhouse World-Class Cocktail programme, will put together one of their latest creations for you.

Ayoba’s signature cocktail is the famous Corona margarita.

Equally tempting is chef’s new take on the classic pulled pork, Ayoba’s most popular dish, now served with a Mexican twist. Just ask for the Taco Cordero…

Bite, situated next to the main swimming pool, was designed for coffee connoisseurs to enjoy a specialty Java, home-made ice cream or a cocktail under the patio umbrellas.

Picnics are as easy as pie, with fresh salads, sandwiches and tasty treats ready to go, it’s all wonderfully relaxed for families.

The Coral Tree, located within the resort, offers breakfast and dinner as well as speciality buffets on weekends and special occasions. Meals can be enjoyed on the terrace, but small parties can also arrange to dine in secluded indoor or outdoor areas. Try the deliciously light Acapulco prawn salad with prawn tails, avocado, feta, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, croutons and a tangy mango dressing (also served at Ayoba), or the Salt Rock snapper – freshly caught, it’s pan fried and served with roasted lemon and vegetables. But the final touch has to be the tempting tiramisu.

Dalchini, at lobby level, creates a lasting first impression on guests. It serves Africanor Indian-inspired afternoon tea daily.

For those in need of a cocktail or a glass of wine, snacks and light meals, 31 Degrees provides a relaxing spot to sip and nibble.

AYOBA TERRACE

Z I MBA L I R ESO RT L I F E | 7 9

Zimbali_FairmontHotel_2015_FA.indd 79

2015/04/22 2:07 PM

EXECUTIVE CHEF DEAN UREN Young and adventurous, Cape Town-born Dean Uren trained in Johannesburg before embarking on a journey that was to take him around the world to glean the inspiration that makes his menus so tempting. He joined the World Trade Centre kitchen before working at top game parks and Rovos Rail. He then travelled far and wide for five years. ‘It was exhilarating to experience new flavours and tastes,’ he explains. ‘Seeing how the French, the Spanish, the Italians and other cultures relate to food made me view cuisine as more of a lifestyle. It really helped to round out my background. My travels provided me with much more of a feel for what and how I cook.’

By 2000 he had set up in London at a number of fine-dining establishments, including Richard Corrigan’s Searcy’s, before becoming the pastry chef in Gordon Ramsay’s three-star Michelin restaurant. In 2005 he returned to South Africa to become a restaurant consultant but missed the kitchen so much that he became the chef de cuisine at a new Sun International casino. The company also managed the Zimbali Lodge, where Dean was appointed executive chef in 2006.

When Fairmont Hotels & Resorts took over operations he stayed on, becoming the top toque at Fairmont Zimbali Resort, which opened in May 2010, as well as the Fairmont Zimbali Lodge. Today he oversees 11 kitchens and a 77-member kitchen brigade. Highlights of his time here include his being selected to create a uniquely South African menu for the wedding reception of HRH Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco, which took place at the Fairmont Monte Carlo.

Dean’s love for South Africa’s culinary bounty is evident in his menus’ subtle local influences: farmed ostrich, grain-fed beef, seafood and curries. He is equally committed to buying local (the ethos of Fairmont chefs around the world). His vegetables are grown on a farm less than 10km away; a call as the fishing boat pulls into the harbour alerts him to the catch of the day; and the French-style artisanal cheeses hail from the Midlands.

Curries, Zimbali’s perennial favourite, are authentically crafted by Indian and Zulu cooks, as are the pickles and chutneys.

AYOBA AND ITS POOLSIDE BAR, MAKHAZA

FAMILY TIME AT THE POOL

DELICIOUSLY LIGHT ACAPULCO PRAWN SALAD PRAWN TAILS WITH AVOCADO, FETA, CUCUMBER, CHERRY TOMATOES, CROUTONS AND A TANGY MANGO DRESSING

Fairmont Zimbali Resort Zimbali Coastal Resort, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa +27 (0)32 538 5000 | zim.dining@fairmont.com | fairmont.com/zimbali-resort 8 0 | ZI M BA L I R ESORT L I F E

Zimbali_FairmontHotel_2015_FA.indd 80

2015/04/23 10:09 AM

Take a swing

Dubai in

T E XT RI C H ARD HO LMES

Z I MBA L I R ESO RT L I F E | 8 1

Zimbali_Golf.indd 81

2015/04/20 10:25 PM

2.

Zimbali_Golf.indd 82

PH OTO GRAPH S : GAL LO I MAGES/G ETT Y I M AG ES/ FRAN COI S N EL , GAL LO I M AG ES/A F P/ KA RI M SA H IB, ISTO CK , SU PPL I ED

GOLF LIFESTYLE

1.

8 2 | ZI M BA L I R ESORT L I F E

2015/04/23 10:19 AM

Shopping. Skyscrapers. Perhaps more shopping. Chances are the last thing you associate with the glistening Gulf emirate of Dubai is greens of Tif-Eagle Bermuda or tee-boxes of carefully clipped rye-grass.

And yet, in the shadow of the skyscrapers that define modern-day Dubai, you’ll find some of the finest golf courses on the planet, says Richard Holmes

DUBAI CREEK GOLF & YACHT CLUB With bustling wharves and riverside souks, it was the meandering creek that first gave life to Dubai as a trading port, so it’s perhaps fitting that one of the city’s more charming courses runs right along its banks.

Your round begins at the striking clubhouse, where the gleaming white roofs mirror the sails of dhows that still ply the waters just an easy eight-iron from the first tee. A fairly forgiving course, the creek is an ideal track to ease into your golfing holiday in Dubai, although with more than 6 300 metres of course to play, you will need to bring out the driver to get close to the par of 71.

While winding up your driver may be tempting, you’ll want to be cautious. The fairways here can be narrow and the greens are well guarded by sand and water.

Along with the creek itself there are several artificial lakes that come into play. The par-4 2nd is a case in point, challenging players with the trickiest tee shot on the course and more water than grass to play for.

On that score, though, it’s a pleasant contrast to many other Dubai tracks, where sand rules supreme and the desert experience is driven home.

At Dubai Creek there’s a surfeit of green and wonderful watery views. The over-water floating tee-box on the 6th, the signature hole of the front 9, is a memorable end to the first half of your round as you play back to the clubhouse.

The back 9 is no less scenic, with an island green on the par-5 13th offering a risk/reward gamble between laying up and a long iron. With the 17th and 18th running right alongside the creek, with fantastic views of downtown Dubai, it’s a fitting end to a challenging yet hugely enjoyable course.

The club also offers a nine-hole par-3 course, driving range and practice facility, all under floodlights. dubaigolf.com/dubai-creek-golf-yacht-club.asp

1. Don’t let the view distract you – the signature 6th hole at Dubai Creek demands a solid 180m drive to reach the safety of the fairway

3.

5.

MAJLIS COURSE, EMIRATES GOLF CLUB 4.

While winding up your driver may be tempting, you’ll want to be cautious

2. Architect Brian Johnson used 20-dirham notes as his ‘business cards’ after his Dubai Creek clubhouse was immortalised on the currency of the UAE

It surprised precisely nobody when golfing sensation Rory McIlroy walked away with the trophy for the 2015 Omega Dubai Desert Classic, but even the unbeatable Irishman had to work hard for his R5-million in prize money. For the Majlis course is, simply, the finest 18-hole layout in the city. Ernie Els earned his stripes here too, taking the title in 1994 with a remarkable round of just 61 strokes, a record that still stands.

After just a few holes you’ll realise quite what an achievement that is. It’s a long course with narrow fairways and seemingly endless waste bunkers, many flanking the entire length of the hole.

Toughest of them all is the eighth, a dog-leg par-4 that plays uphill to a small, undulating green where you’ll need a long drive and accurate second to have a chance of making this hole in regulation. There’s little respite on the back 9, either, with – you’d never think it – even more sand and unforgiving greens.

The 18th is a fine finishing hole, with a dramatic dogleg and a carry over water to the green. McIlroy shot a birdie here on his first round of this year’s Classic. Think you can match him?

Laid out nearly 30 years ago amid the empty dunes on the fringes of the city, the Majlis was the first grass course in the Middle East and conserves hundreds of

3 & 4. Dubai Creek is a relatively forgiving course, although plenty of water waits to catch the unwary

5. It’s not hard to see why the Majlis course at Emirates Golf Club was chosen as the home of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic

Z I MBA L I R ESO RT L I F E | 8 3

Zimbali_Golf.indd 83

2015/04/23 10:20 AM

GOLF LIFESTYLE

species of indigenous flora and fauna in between the manicured fairways and artificial lakes.

Today the skyscrapers of Dubai have sprouted around this desert garden, providing a memorable backdrop to one of the finest golf courses in the region.

The exclusive Bedouin-tent-style clubhouse is as memorable as the course, so leave plenty of time to freshen up and take it all in. You’ll find three restaurants on offer, serving French fine dining and relaxed Mediterranean cuisine. dubaigolf.com/emirates-golf-club

FALDO COURSE, EMIRATES GOLF CLUB After the gruelling sands of the Majlis course, the Faldo comes as something of a relief. It’s situated on the same estate, yet it’s a different beast altogether, with rolling grassy swales and artificial lakes to contend with. Originally opened in 1996 as the Wadi, Arabic for valley, it was completely redesigned by Sir Nick Faldo in 2005, and reopened the following year.

Although playing at over 6 700 metres off the back tees, it is both challenging and forgiving.

Low-handicappers have the chance to clock a good score on a world-class course, yet it rewards solid strokes from intermediate golfers. The front 9 sees plenty of water in play, while the back punishes wayward tee shots with wide expanses of sand.

The Faldo course is also the only 18-hole track in Dubai that offers ‘nightclubbing’ golf under floodlights.

The course is open for night golf from 5pm until midnight, every day of the week.

Players on the Faldo also have access to the stylish facilities of the Emirates Golf Club. dubaigolf.com

Need to know

6.

Plan your visit at dubaitourism.ae.

Emirates offers daily flights from Durban, Johannesburg and Cape Town direct to Dubai.

Visit emirates.com.

Visas are required

by South African passport holders to visit the United Arab Emirates, but can be processed easily when booking via Emirates.

Golf equipment is not carried free of charge by Emirates, but forms part of the generous luggage allowance: 30kg, 40kg, 50kg respectively for economy, business and first class.

7.

THE ELS CLUB, DUBAI SPORTS CITY Like most top golfers with international cachet, Ernie Els has turned his considerable talents to golf course design. He’s laid out courses across the globe, and his first offering in the Middle East is a fine distillation of his years playing the world’s finest tracks.

Situated in Dubai Sports City, the Els Club is inspired by his love for the links courses of the United Kingdom, and so the challenge and style of courses in drizzly Scotland is transported to sunny Arabia. Expect rolling fairways with grassy swales and tricky greens protected by steep greenside bunkers.

The greens here are planted with fine-textured Bermuda grass, putting fast and true. There’s plenty of indigenous vegetation to mimic the ball-hungry gorse of the UK, and no shortage of waste and traditional bunkers to trap loose balls.

There is a selection of tee-boxes to suit all levels of player. The course stretches just shy of 6 900 metres off the championship tees, so it’s a layout that favours big hitters. You’ll need all the length you can get on the signature 18th too, a hefty par-5 running up to a green guarded by pothole bunkers greedy for Titleist Pro V1s.

8.

You’ll need all the length you can get on the signature 18th too, a hefty par-5 running up to a green guarded by pothole bunkers greedy for Titleist Pro V1s

8 4 | ZI M BA L I R ESORT L I F E

Zimbali_Golf.indd 84

2015/04/20 10:25 PM

Laid out nearly 30 years ago amid the empty dunes on the fringes of the city, the Majlis was the first grass course in the Middle East

9.

6. The 8th is the signature and perhaps the toughest hole on the Majlis course – a strong fade is required to dodge trees and desert sands

7. Nightclubbing in Dubai? The Faldo course is Dubai’s only 18-hole layout under floodlights 8. The Els Club, where the Big Easy

has planted plenty of links-style bunkers to catch wayward balls 9. The par-4 7th has the toughest tee shot on the Majlis course

Z I MBA L I R ESO RT L I F E | 85

Zimbali_Golf.indd 85

2015/04/23 10:22 AM

GOLF LIFESTYLE

The man behind the course is honoured at the clubhouse’s Big Easy Bar & Grill, a classic steakhouse that will have South Africans feeling right at home 10.

11.

8 6 | ZI M BA L I R ESORT L I F E

Zimbali_Golf.indd 86

2015/04/20 10:25 PM

Along with the keys to locker number one, the man behind the course is honoured at the clubhouse’s Big Easy Bar & Grill, a classic steakhouse that will have South Africans feeling right at home. Wines from the Els estate outside Stellenbosch are also on offer. elsclubdubai.com

THE ADDRESS, MONTGOMERIE DUBAI With its luxury villas flanking the fairways, players familiar with Zimbali will feel right at home on the Montgomerie, the centrepiece of the exclusive Emirates Hills residential development. Designed by 2010 Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie, the course has rapidly become one of the most sought-after golf destinations in the Middle East. It’s a long course but it has generous fairways and wide-open landing areas.

Unlike most other Dubai courses, there’s playfulness to the layout too. The par-5 4th – the Snake Hole – has a dogleg up towards the green, where two bunkers behind form the eyes of the snake. The par-3 13th is another quirky hole: designed in the shape of the United Arab Emirates, a selection of tees and an island fairway mean this hole plays differently every time you step up. Think carefully before you select a club.

Not so on the 18th, a beast of a finishing hole where your only option is a driver. At nearly 600 metres, this hole could see you snatch defeat from the jaws of victory, with water flanking much of the fairway and guarding the green. If you get down in regulation here, you’ll have earned your drink at the bar. If not, perhaps it’s time for some swing analysis at the club’s cuttingedge academy and floodlit ranges. themontgomerie.com

With its luxury villas flanking the fairways, players familiar with Zimbali will feel right at home on the Montgomerie, the centrepiece of the exclusive Emirates Hills residential development Local expert Want an insider opinion? We asked Ela Lanzanas, the award-winning concierge at Fairmont Dubai, for her top tips on where to play in Dubai…

If guests play at just one course in Dubai, which should it be?

I would definitely recommend the Majlis course at the Emirates Golf Club. It is one of the best courses in the world. It hosts major golf tournaments and is attended by top professional golfers, male and female, on a yearly basis.

What about a lesser-known course that is often overlooked, but offers a great round?

12.

The Els Club, which is located further from the proper city but has a great landscape and offers fantastic green-fee rates.

Which club has the best après-golf facilities?

Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club, which is my favourite for its outlets, in addition to Al Badia Golf Club Intercontinental. Both offer good choices of licensed restaurants serving different cuisines and complemented with stunning views of the Dubai Creek. Al Badia Golf Club also has a spa, which makes it an excellent venue to relax after a round of golf.

When is the best time of year to play?

The best time of the year for golf in Dubai is during the cooler months from October to April. In the summer months, specifically from June to August, it would not be so pleasant to play, but Dubai still attracts many golfers as they can enjoy green fees at very low prices and some great deals and promotions being offered by all golf courses in town.

10. Don’t skimp on the wedges when packing your golf bag for Dubai – You’ll find plenty of sand off and on the course, as shown here on the Els Club at Dubai Sports City

11. The 17th at the Address, Montgomerie Dubai – despite the guarding bunker, the large green will tempt you to shoot for the pin

12. With the 17th (and 18th) in the bag, the Montgomerie clubhouse is a fine example of modern Arabian architecture and hospitality

Z I MBA L I R ESO RT L I F E | 87

Zimbali_Golf.indd 87

2015/04/23 10:23 AM

‘One thing I’ve learnt over time is, if you hit a golf ball into water, it won’t float’ Arnold Palmer

Zimbali_Edition2_back_page_FA.indd 1

2015/04/22 3:57 PM