Tag: South Africa Hotels
View All TagsHotel 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?
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.
Hotel Restaurants / South Africa Hotels / Wine Hotels / → All Tags
Hotel Restaurants You'd Actually Eat In: Le Franschhoek
The reputation of hotel restaurants as sad, overpriced affairs is quickly falling away as some talented chefs make the eateries destinations of their own. This week, Katherine Spiers is taking us to some of the best hotel restaurants in the world.
The great "wine countries" of the world—Napa, Loire Valley, etc.—of course have fabulous dining, since nothing goes together so well as drinking and eating. There are lesser known wine-growing areas trying to get in on that game, since tourism dollars increase exponentially when everyone's got a glass of wine in hand.
South Africa's wine country and its product are becoming more popular all the time. As a direct result, its hotels are growing in world-class stature, too: Le Franschhoek, on the French-derived side of the Cape Winelands, is of such class that it wins all kinds of awards, for example.
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.
Hotel Restaurants / Luxury Hotels / South Africa Hotels / Cape Town Hotels / One and Only Hotels / → All Tags
Gordon Ramsay Is Replaced By a Younger, Hotter Chef at One & Only Cape Town
So where Gordon Ramsay failed, a local chef is hoping to succeed. Ramsay may have been forced to close his Maze restaurant at One & Only Cape Town last month, but Sol Kerzner obviously has faith in South African chef Reuben Riffel, who will open Reuben’s at One & Only Cape Town on October 1.
Although he may not be as famous as old sweary boots, Reuben has won acclaim (and awards) for his restaurants in the Franschhoek wine valley called (we’re sensing a theme here) Reuben’s and Reuben’s at The Robertson Small Hotel. This will be his first urban resort, though.
World Cup Hotels / South Africa Hotels / Hilton Hotels / Sandton Hotels / → All Tags
The Dutch Team Gets a Late Check-Out from Hilton
Not expecting to advance to the semi-finals, Team Netherlands only booked their hotel rooms at the Hilton Hotel in Sandton until July 5. Reports were buzzing today that the Dutch team was "homeless" on the eve of their match against Uruguay since the hotel was now fully booked.
But while the boys are set to face off in just a few minutes, fans of The Oranje can relax knowing that the hotel has allowed the team to stay through July 9, provided things go their way today.
