South Africa Travel Guide
Hotel News / Hotel Openings / Four Seasons Hotels / Orient-Express Hotels / Park Hyatt Hotels / Rosewood Hotels / → All Tags
Could There BE Any More Luxury Hotels Opening In The Near Future?
The Westcliff Johannesburg
You guys, the hotel news keeps rolling in so fast we can barely keep up with it. In order to get us all up to speed, we’ll give you a brief rundown of some of the latest news & rumors for Four Seasons, Park Hyatt, Rosewood and SBE that have us mighty intrigued.
FOUR SEASONS
Starting in South Africa, Business Traveller reported last week the venerable Westcliff Johannesburg will move from Orient-Express to Four Seasons, and based on our own investigation, that does look to be happening. If you’ve had Sunday brunch at the glorious La Belle Terrasse, spent time at the pool, and wandered its cobblestone streets and lush gardens, you know this place is easy to fall in love with. If indeed ‘substantial’ renovations will be part of the transition, things will only get that much better.
Surprising as it might be, late next year will be the first time Four Seasons will get in on the luxury hotel action in Dubai, with a 237-room resort at the northern end of Jumeirah Beach. More in the Middle East should follow in Abu Dhabi, Oman, Bahrain, Doha, Jeddah, and Kuwait. Like Ritz-Carlton, Four Seasons is also planning on Kyoto and Casablanca, and if that wasn’t enough, we’re hearing about South America (with a number of hotels in Brazil) and various rumors elsewhere as well.
Hotel Openings / Hotel Rebranding / Hotel Renovations / South Africa Hotels / Hotel Design / Cape Town Hotels / Hilton Hotels / DoubleTree Hotels / → All Tags
DoubleTree by Hilton Opens Its First Hotel in Cape Town
Last week, Hilton Worldwide opened the 183-room DoubleTree by Hilton Cape Town - Upper Eastside, the brands first DoubleTree by Hilton hotel in South Africa. Yes, the name is a mouthful, but we can swallow that if it means a new affordable option for Cape Town.
We’ve noticed lately Hilton’s been stylifying (yeah, made that word up) their DoubleTree brand, and this newly reno’ed, upscale property is no exception. The lobby is filled with white latticework and vibrant nature colors of green and blue. Rooms are a mix of earthy browns, greys and whites. The Rooms range from executive and suites to two-story loft rooms located on the penthouse floor with sweet views of the city’s skyline.
Celebrity Scoop / Movie Set Hotels / South Africa Hotels / Drew Barrymore / → All Tags
Follow Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler All the Way To Sun City This Summer
Over the weekend, Drew Barrymore spilled the beans to the Wall Street Journal about her next project, a romantic comedy with long-time collaborator Adam Sandler.
The duo haven't starred in anything together since 2004's 50 First Dates. In that one, Barrymore's character suffered from a short-term memory disorder, meaning every date was technically a "first date." And according to the WSJ, this new movie will center around "a couple who, after surviving a dreadful first date, find themselves at a family resort with the kids from their respective previous marriages."
Which tells us two things: one, they clearly have a theme going here. Second, they'll be filming at a resort.
Sure enough, an insider confirms that the entire cast and crew will be heading to Sun City Resort in six weeks to begin shooting the film. The resort, which is two hours from Johannesburg, is made up of four hotels totaling 1,301 rooms, with botanical gardens, outdoor pool, hiking trails, golf course, man-made lake, and a casino.
The Palace of the Lost City Hotel (pictured above) is modeled after a "fairytale African palace," while the Cabanas Hotel is the top choice for families (so we're guessing that's where the actors will end up doing their thing.)
Concerning the three-month shoot, Barrymore told the WSJ that she's "a little worried" about the long-haul flight and "making sure there's medevac if anything happens." We can't say we blame her—when you're that far away from home, the last thing you want to deal with is an injury. How else are you supposed to enjoy the zip slides?
Rates at the Cabanas Hotel from $165/night.
Hotel Openings / South Africa Hotels / Johannesburg Hotels / Boutique Hotels / Business Hotels / → All Tags
We Know About Jo'Burg's Flashy New Hotel. Don't You?
Tucked away in the heart of Johannesburg's Sandton district, The Maslowis a new hotel that's changing the face of travel to the largest city in South Africa. It's so fresh to the scene that when we were at the New York Times Travel Show last week, the country's own tourism reps didn't know about it!
Tempting world business travelers, the hotel pays respect to the world's most famous entrepenuers by naming each of their 12 conference rooms after the inspirational business people from the past. We're talking about Rockefeller, Astor, Edison, Venderbilt and Carnegie; the movers and shakers of modern day business. Even the namesake is from famous physcologist Abraham Maslow.
All 281 rooms are outfitted with calming contemporary design and free in-room WiFi. Since we have even asked how much hotel-room bathtubs get used, The Maslow offers guests the option to stay in rooms with 'power showers' or the full tub and shower set-up. With 135 of the standard rooms boasting the shower only, we know where The Maslow stands in the argument.
Killer Views / Hotel Snapshots / Sweet Suites / Safari Hotels / South Africa Hotels / → All Tags
Welcome To The Jungle At Lions Sands. Sorta.
At first glance, you’re not sure what to look at when you go out onto the gorgeous patio of this suite at the Lion Sands Game Reserve at Sabi Sand in South Africa. The infinity pool is sure inviting, and during this time of the year when the temperatures can reach up to 90 degrees, you’d want to shed your khakis and take a quick dip.
But, what’s that lurking in the midst? It seems all is too quiet on the western front and you best keep your eyes peeled. After all, this is one of the most high-end safari experiences in Kruger National Park area and you didn't come here for nothing. In fact, this is the best time of the year to be on safari—the dry winter season.
So, this view is great and all, but surely there’s more to it than just grass?
Bathroom Tuesdays / Safari Camps / Tanzania Hotels / Glamping / → All Tags
Shower Outdoors While Elephants and Giraffes Peek In at The Selous Safari Camp
For another round of Bathroom Tuesdays, we're taking you away from fancy toilets all the way to the African bush, at Selous Safari Camp in Tanzania, to be exact.
But fear not, we're not going to be roughing it here - each massive safari tent comes with en-suite bathroom complete with these lovely open air hot showers. By day you may see all sorts of wildlife wander by (there are no fences, so animal encounters inside the camp are common), at night the view is equally stunning looking up at the star-filled sky.
We'll have more on Selous Safari Camp, as well as other lodges and retreats in Tanzania, for you soon.
Hotel Sleep / Hotel Guests / Hotel Art / Cape Town Hotels / Hotel Design / → All Tags
Don't Get Too Comfortable At The Ellerman House's Art Gallery
The art gallery at the Ellerman House contains one of the best collections of contemporary South African art in the whole world. As a result, it's become a favorite among art collectors who go just to admire the hotel's private collection as well as take trips to other galleries in Cape Town.
But it's not just the art that's special here. The gallery itself, which is located in a cellar underneath the pool, is a fairly interesting space too. Because Ellerman House sits on a hill, the cozy gallery manages to both feel like an underground hideout while also offer some stunning views of the Atlantic ocean. And though you wouldn't exactly want to spend the duration of your stay holed up in the vault (it's only one room big), it certainly makes for a peaceful retreat.
Or, in the case of one recent guest, a great spot for napping.
Presidential Suites / South Africa Hotels / Cape Town Hotels / Michelle Obama / → All Tags
This Is Where Michelle Obama Stayed In Cape Town
Lots of hotels have presidential suites. Though we can't manage to get a video camera into all of them, we can sometimes get excited when we learn of a particular guest that has stayed in one.
Back in June, in the days leading up to Mandela Day, Michelle Obama visited Cape Town, where she reportedly toured the District 6 Museum and lunched at the Kitchen, a small deli on Sir Lowry Road Woodstock. Her hotel of choice? The Table Bay Hotel, where she, Sasha, and Malia slept in the Table Mountain Presidential Suite.
Royal Hotels / Honeymoon Hotels / Divorce Hotels / South Africa Hotels / Prince Albert / → All Tags
The Other Royal Couple Did Not Honeymoon Happily Ever After
There was trouble brewing in the Monegasque paradise between Prince Albert of Monaco and his bride Princess Charlene, long before they tied the knot on July 1. But you would think that they could at least try and enjoy their honeymoon in South Africa?
After all, they were staying in the presidential suite of the Oyster Box Hotel on the beach in Umhlanga Rocks. The suite alone spans two floors, with its own private elevator, two bedrooms, two marble bathrooms with views of the ocean, a study, a lounge, a dining room that seats 10 and a fully equipped kitchen. Oh and its own swimming pool.
But sadly the strain of the allegations that Prince Albert fathered yet another child out of wedlock may have forced him to seek out his own less luxurious hotel room at the Hilton in Durban, ten miles away from the Oyster Box.
Celebrity Scoop / Royal Wedding Hotels / South Africa Hotels / → All Tags
A Different Royal Couple Will Honeymoon at the Oyster Box Hotel
While everyone is focused on newlyweds Prince William and Princess Kate's impending trip to Southern California, another set of royals is planning a South African honeymoon. Monaco's Prince Albert and his bride-to-be, Charlene Wittstock, will celebrate their post-marital bliss at the Oyster Box Hotel, People reported.
The engaged couple will have a July 1-2 wedding and then make their way to the hotel, which is in Umhlanga Rocks, 20 minutes north of Durban.
The Bachelor Hotels / One and Only Hotels / South Africa Hotels / Reality TV Hotels / Brad Womack / One and Only Resorts / → All Tags
Spoiler Alert: We Know What Hotel Hosts the South African Finale of 'The Bachelor'
Yeah, we dig The Bachelor, but not because we're cool with one guy basking in the attention of a harem of women, all begging him to put a ring on it. No, we haz da luv because it’s unintentional travel eye-candy. The network thinks we're watching the cast, but really, we're peeping the background.
This season starring Bachelor Brad Womack is coming to an end and we love-love the location: South Africa. Last night's show and—we're told—the March 14 finale has studly Brad and the last three ladies standing at two gorgeous properties—Lion Sands Private Game Reserve and the swank One & Only Cape Town.
Reader Reviews / Johannesburg Hotels / South Africa Hotels / → All Tags
Spying on Elephants and Giraffes from The Westcliff Hotel in Johannesburg
Every so often we feature a hotel review from our readers that we feel should be shared with the rest of you dear hotel guests. These reviews are highlighted because they are timely, about cool hotels in cool places and are relatively level-headed. Think you can submit one just like this? Send it in.
This time, a reader sends in a quick dispatch from the Westcliff Hotel in Johannesburg.
What a lovely hotel, it's built like a small village on a hillside overlooking the city. Sunday brunch at La Belle Terrasse is a very nice way to while away the day, sitting outside on the terrace above the infinity pool, watching elephants and giraffes in Johannesburg Zoo at the foot of the hill.
