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OCTOBER 2018
EDGARS CLUB MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2018 EDGARSCLUB.CO.ZA
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ROOM W ITH A V IEW NOTHING SAYS ‘HOLIDAY’ QUITE LIKE WAKING UP TO A BEAUTIFUL, TRANQUIL VISTA. IF YOU CAN TAKE IT IN WITHOUT LEAVING THE COMFORT OF YOUR BED (OR BATH), SO MUCH THE BETTER…BY JADE TAYLOR COOKE
For a bird’seye view of
C IT Y V I E W
Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff
Joburg, Gauteng
Joburg, you simply can’t beat a stay at The Westcliff. Built in 1997 and originally envisioned as an enclave of luxury residences, this seriously upmarket hotel sprawls across a forested hillside, with panoramic views from just about every window and vantage point. You’ll feel like the ruler of your own empire as you open your eyes to gaze over the jacaranda-blanketed city each morning, but don’t miss an opportunity to take the glass elevator up to the aptly named The View restaurant, either. Around every corner of The Westcliff you’ll find another tranquil courtyard, fountain or garden, which lends the place a rather Mediterranean feel. Inside however, there’s a proudly modernAfrican aesthetic, from the hundreds of locally
commissioned artworks down to the cushions in every room, which are handembroidered by local artisans. Even the geometric f loor tiles at braai-style restaurant Flames were inspired by traditional basketweaving patterns. Explore more… In search of the ultimate relaxation? Book a treatment at the hotel spa, then enjoy a light lunch on your daybed at the city’s only rooftop spa lounge. Or, if you have kids in tow, grab a gourmet picnic from the Westcliff Deli and take a stroll to the adjacent Joburg Zoo.
From R6 300 per panoramic-view room per night 011 481 6001, fourseasons.com/johannesburg
WINEL ANDS VIEW
La Petite Ferme
Franschhoek, Western Cape
There are few sights more satisfying
than serried rows of vines marching off towards the horizon. While Franschhoek is picturesque from any angle, the view from La Petite Ferme, overlooking the pass road and Middagkrans mountains, is simply sublime. Enjoy it to full advantage from the comfort of the luxuriously appointed Vineyard Suites. Recently renovated, each of the suites has its own private plunge pool and patio, so you can go
estate restaurant, where you’ll find a menu of classic Winelands cuisine with a contemporary twist – think slow-roasted lamb with aubergine, fondant potatoes, spuma mint yoghurt, candied rosemary and tomato soil. That the accompanying wine list is excellent almost goes without saying in this neck of the woods. Explore more… You’d be forgiven for wanting to spend your days ensconced in your suite, but La Petite Ferme also serves as a great base from which to explore the rest of this historic and beautiful valley. Visit the Huguenot Monument, hop abroad the Wine
SIP ON A GLASS OF CHARDONNAY AS YOU TAKE IN THE SIGHT OF THE SUN-KISSED VALLEY from having a lie-in to taking a fresh summer dip to sipping a glass of Chardonnay, all without losing sight of that sun-kissed valley. This spectacular panorama is also visible from the
Tram for a tour of the tasting rooms, take in the view from horseback at Paradise Stables, or simply stroll along the high street for a gourmet bite and a spot of shopping.
From R3 860 per room per night 021 876 3016, lapetiteferme.co.za
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THE ENTIRE VALLEY IS GAME-FENCED AND HOME TO ZEBRA, WILDEBEEST, ELAND, SPRINGBOK AND BLESBOK, AMONG OTHER WILDLIFE
There’s something magical about a stay in
the Drakensberg, with its lofty elevation and mist-shrouded mountain peaks. One of the best spots from which to appreciate this ethereal natural splendour is Sani Valley Nature Lodges, where the varied, familyfriendly accommodation options have all been set up to make the most of the view. Our favourite has to be its Lakeside Lodges, where gorgeous picture windows in the bathrooms mean you can wallow in the tub while enjoying uninterrupted views of the lake, the southern Drakensberg mountains and, in winter, snow falling gently on the landscape. In summer, a Jacuzzi on your private deck provides the perfect spot from which to watch the sun set.
Don’t be surprised to wake up to a herd of antelope casually grazing beside your front porch – the entire valley is game-fenced and home to zebra, wildebeest, eland, springbok and blesbok, among other wildlife. Twitchers are well catered for too, with over 300 species of birds recorded in the area. Explore more… Staff are happy to arrange various activities in the valley, including game viewing on horseback, otter-spotting by canoe, a hike to bushmen cave paintings, spa treatments on your private deck and f ly-fishing lessons (Himeville is one of the most popular spots in South Africa to cast a line for trout).
Lakeside Lodges: R1 689 per person per night for self-catering; R2 119 for dinner, bed and breakfast 033 702 0203, sanivalley.co.za
M O U N TA I N V I E W
Sani Valley Nature Lodges
Himeville, KwaZulu-Natal
COA S TA L V I E W
Hluleka Nature Reserve Cottages Wild Coast, Eastern Cape South Africa is blessed
FO R E S T V I E W
Teniqua Treetops
Garden Route, Western Cape Embrace your inner Tarzan or Jane at this
eco-friendly treehouse escape near Knysna. The self-catering tented suites are built on handcrafted platforms up in the canopy, with views over acres of indigenous Afromontane forest. Whether you choose a toddler-friendly family treehouse, or one of the romantic honeymoon suites, you’ll drift off to the sounds of the forest, wake up to birdsong, and be able to gaze across the treetops from your generously proportioned bath. ‘Eco-friendly’ is a term bandied about fairly loosely these days, but at Teniqua Treetops, this ethos is taken
seriously. Rather than felling any indigenous trees, each unit was built in an existing forest glade, custom-designed to fit the space and constructed with the utmost care not to disturb the surrounding trees or root bed. It’s all about sustainability here, from the crew of rescued local horses who ‘mow’ the grass, to the river water pumped in for bathing (don’t be put off by the brown colour – that’s just natural tannins from the indigenous fynbos). Explore more…
Knysna, with its famed oysters and holiday-town bustle, is a 30-minute drive away, or head to nearby Sedgefield to hit the beach.
From R1 886 per treehouse per night 044 356 2868, teniquatreetops.co.za
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with more beautiful coastal scenery than you can shake a surfboard at, but to truly get away from it all, we’d recommend a stay at Hluleka Nature Reserve Cottages on the Wild Coast. Rustic accommodation is usually the order of the day in the Transkei, but these double-storey, self-catering chalets offer a minimalist space with modern amenities. Their crowning glory, of course, is the gorgeous view of the Indian Ocean
from the loft bedrooms – that, and the family of Burchell’s zebra that turn up on your doorstep every now and again. Explore more…
The beautiful reserve is home to varied ecosystems, from rocky shorelines to the Congwane Mtombo and Ndabeni Hluleka indigenous forests. There are numerous paths and hiking trails to explore, especially if you’re keen to spot blue duiker, eland, the elusive narina trogon, dolphins and humpback whales.
R476 per night for two people, R249 per extra person (plus a conservation fee of R22 per adult per day) 043 492 0881, reservations@ecpta.co.za
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SAVE EXCLUSIVE HOLIDAY OFFERS! Edgars Club members get savings on flights, accommodation, car hire and travel packages. For more info and to find out what’s on offer this month, go to edgarsclub.co.za or follow us on Facebook.
IMAGES: GALLO IMAGES/GETTY IMAGES, SUPPLIED
WILD - CARD VIEW
Rovos Rail
Pretoria to Cape Town If you prefer your views a little less static , you
could always chug along in ultimate luxury aboard Rovos Rail. This grand old locomotive journey harks back to the golden age of transport (albeit with thoroughly modern creature comforts). A gong sounds to summon you to your three meals
a day; evening attire is strictly formal; and cellphone and laptop use is, blessedly, prohibited anywhere but in your own suite. It’s certainly not cheap, but the three-day trip from Pretoria to the Mother City offers a spectacular assortment of South African scenery
as you trundle from the Highveld through the Great Karoo and on into the beautiful Cape. Explore more… Your itinerary includes excursions to the Big Hole and Diamond Mine Museum in Kimberley, and the historical Matjiesfontein village in the Great Karoo.
TRUNDLE FROM THE HIGHVELD THROUGH THE GREAT KAROO AND ON INTO THE BEAUTIFUL CAPE
From R20 600 per person sharing for accommodation, excursions, meals and all beverages (including alcohol) 012 315 8242, rovos.com
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