Saseka Tented Camp

Situated in the heart of the V&A Waterfront, the Cape Grace is one of Cape Town’s most famous luxury hotels. You can expect world class, personalised service from the Grace in a location perfect for enjoying the restaurants, boutiques and entertainment of this upmarket area. The hotel also has a strong focus on contributing to community upliftment and has varuous measures in place to improve their water and energy consumption. Reflecting its location, the recently refurbished décor has a nautical theme and is full of local detail, with antiques and maps adorning the hallways. In a playful touch, sumptuous chandeliers are adorned with unusual items (such as crockery and kitchenware in the Restaurant area). The 120 rooms and suites are spacious, comfortable and elegantly decorated offering views out to Table Mountain, Signal Hill or the Marina. The hotel also features a luxurious pool and outdoor deck, a spa on the top floor and a great whiskey bar. You can walk straight out into the waterfront area here making it a perennial favourite.

Tswalu Kalahari Reserve’s main camp, Motse, sits at the foot of the Korannaberg mountains. The architecture is inspired by and reflects the landscape, fully enveloping you into the safari experience; local smoothed stone, red clay and traditional Kalahari thatch are surrounded and hung with natural textiles, thick linens and seagrass that contrast well with varying textures and woven patterns. The effect is authentic, earthy, neutral, yet with a luxuriously refined feel. Making your stay here even more special is the fact that the camp is fully committed to protecting the wildlife and environment and supporting the local community, as evidenced by their ongoing projects. There are eight small houses in the camp: six one-bedroom suites and two two-bedroom family suites. All have indoor and outdoor showers, en-suite bathrooms, fireplaces, WiFi and private sundecks where you can sink into your cushioned rattan armchairs to watch one of the stunning sunsets or stare at an ever-clear night sky. Upon your arrival either by plane or car, you have a private consultation so your time and activities during your stay are flexible and tailored exactly to your interests and preferences. So, if you want spend a night at the Malori sleepout, track cheetah the next day, have a facial after dinner, visit the local community, have a gourmet picnic lunch on your game drive or champagne breakfast in bed, this will all be arranged for you.

Perfectly poised on the headland between two bays and at the heart of what is considered the ‘whale watching Mecca’ of the world, the 2,500-hectare Grootbos Private Nature Reserve is well-positioned to enjoy the area’s thrilling to its more relaxing of activities. Part of what makes Grootbos extra special is the property’s commitment to making a positive impact through various projects. From diving with great white sharks, horse riding on wild Atlantic beaches, spotting whales and pods of dolphin cavorting in Walker Bay to tasting regional wines, discovering the unique heritage of towns such as De Kelders and Hermanus, and trekking through the intriguing fynbos flora and fauna of its reserves and valleys – you won’t be short of things to do here on the Whale Coast and at Grootbos. For budding botanists, the reserve encompasses a vast swathe of the beautiful Cape Floristic Region, the smallest of earth’s six recognised floral kingdoms. There are two fabulous places to stay here – the homely Garden Lodge and contemporary Forest Lodge – as well as two fabulous Private Villas, all of which admire incredible vistas to the sea and mountains.

One of the most famous hotels in South Africa, La Residence is a truly opulent and stately base from which to explore the wine region. From the moment one enters the grand hall at the entrance, it is obvious that you have entered a very special place. Works of art and antiques from all over the world adorn the lavish interiors. Set close to the pretty town of Franschhoek on a backdrop of rolling hills, the hotel sits in thirty acres of working farm with immaculately manicured gardens, vineyards and orchards. There are eleven suites set in the main building, each very individual from the other and themed around a colour, with an eclectic but cohesive mix of antiques and art lending both character and opulence to each of the rooms. Further down the hill are the newly constructed villas. These have a slightly more contemporary feel, with brighter colours and are also very suitable for families as they range from two to four bedrooms each. The villas also share a separate pool area and a communal open kitchen and dining area, encouraging a more informal mingling of guests in this part of the property.