South Africa

Tucked away in the beautiful Franschhoek Valley in the Cape Winelands, La Residence epitomizes luxury and oozes character.

• Each room is decorated uniquely and with elegance, with a great deal of furniture and artefacts imported
• Graceful peacocks roam the grounds, giving the property a timeless luxury feeling
• The property provides transfers to nearby restaurants/wine farms for dining options (of which there are plenty!)

Tanda Tula is an intimate owner-run camp, with a highly personalized service offering and the pared down luxury feel of the tents.

• The camp itself is modeled on an East African safari camp and therefore combines some of the traditional safari favorites, along with a more contemporary feel
• The tents are beautifully designed, with Victorian bathtubs, outdoor showers, and private viewing deck with views over the river
• Game activities at Tanda Tula are simple: game drives, bush walks and bush dining
• The iconic “Big 5” are all located in the Timbavati region, so although slightly contrived, successful game viewing is basically guaranteed

Approximately 30 minutes outside of Hermanus in a stunning nature reserve setting, Grootbos is a 5* eco-paradise in a unique setting, nestled between the mountains and the ocean.

• Grootbos is a quiet haven away from tourists and shops, yet still contains all the luxuries of a typical 5 star lodge experience
• Close enough to access the whale-watching which has made Hermanus famous (whale season is typically May to December)
• Some fantastic dining options and wine farms in the nearby Hemel en Aarde Valley
• Close to Gansbaai – which is famous for its shark-cage diving activities!

Offering some of the best views over the ocean, The Clarendon Bantry Bay sits atop the cliffs in between Cape Town’s city area, and the famed Camps Bay.

• A 5* hotel which still offers a relaxed experience perfect for families, couples and multi-generational groups alike
• Most rooms offer spectacular views across the ocean, with only the Garden Rooms not having views
• The pool and garden are perfect for relaxation after a busy day exploring the city
• Conveniently located for the beach, restaurants and other Cape Town attractions

Babylonstoren’s Farm Hotel is made up of a range of quaint cottages and is set on the expansive, opulent grounds of the celebrated Babylonstoren Estate.

• Each cottage is beautifully styled – mixing traditional South African farm-inspired pieces with others which are more contemporary
• The property is perfectly located for exploring the Cape Winelands and is basically in the epicentre of the Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl wine regions
• You can explore the popular gardens, grounds and dine in the lauded Babel Restaurant and Greenhouse (pre-booking essential!)

Set atop a rocky outcrop, Birkenhead House enjoys a fantastic seaside location and great access to the quaint Voelklip Beach.

• Rooms at Birkenhead are designed in a quirky Louis XIV-meets-Nantucket style, lending an unusual sense of seaside luxury
• Guests can walk all the way to Hermanus village, along the Sea Cliff trail, or relax at the in-house spa
• This is the most luxurious hotel in Hermanus, so for high-end travelers it’s a solid choice
• Hermanus is renowned for its whale watching between May to December and both Southern Wright and Humpback whales call Walker Bay home for almost half a year

Delaire Graff is perched at the top of the mountain pass between Stellenbosch and Franschook – two of South Africa’s prime wine regions

• The property enjoys the most phenomenal views in the entire winelands region
• Each room has been decorated by celebrated interior designer David Collins and features a private outdoor area and heated swimming pool.
• Complete with two restaurants, a luxury boutique and a spa, Delaire Graff is a stunning property
• The prices might be considered quite high relative to other South African properties on offer, however, it is a world-class property and on an international comparison, would be considered a bargain!

Located at the base of Table Mountain, guests enjoy fantastic views of the city lights from this boutique hotel.

• Manna Bay has eight artfully designed rooms each with a unique, if quirky, theme
• Modern amenities ensure a comfortable stay and the central location near the city bowl is ideal if for urbanites
• A delicious high tea is provided for guests each afternoon, as are complimentary city transfers for dinner
• Ideal for fashionable young couples and honeymooners

The One and Only is a decadent luxury hotel with world-class amenities, located in the V&A Waterfront precinct.

• Most suites have impressive views of Table Mountain or the harbour
• The renowned Nobu restaurant is located at the hotel as well as a stylish bar and impressive wine cellar
• This is a large 6* hotel, but for those accustomed to high-end travel, it’s a great choice

Ant’s Nest and Ant’s Hill are family-owned bush homes offering an impressive selection of game viewing activities ranging from horse riding and mountain biking to bush walks and night drives. A great safari choice for those short on time.

• The owners of the property grew up in Kenya and therefore the properties do have a more traditional safari feel than many other South African properties
• There is a variety of wildlife species on the private reserve, including giraffe, rhino, an array of antelope and some carnivores (including leopard), however, it should be noted that there are no elephant or lion on the reserve
• From horse riding, mountain biking to game drives and walking safaris, there are a range of activities available

Located in the malaria-free Madikwe Game Reserve, bordering on Botswana, Makanyane provides a good alternative safari destination for those seeking to avoid the more popular Sabi Sands / Kruger areas.

• The lodge is small – catering to just 16 guests at a time
• Each suite has open-fronted lounges, private sundecks and spacious bathrooms that can be opened to the forest, creating the feeling of really being ‘in’ the bush
• There’s a great infinity pool in the common area, which is important as Madikwe can get quite hot
• Walking safaris are available, and Madikwe is home to the “Big 5” species along with 360 species of bird
• Conveniently located only a 3.5hr drive away from Johannesburg

Set in the northern sector of the Sabi Sands Game Reserve, Simbambili is a good option for first-time safari goers – much like most South African properties.

• Each villa has a great outdoor day bed and plunge pool
• Walking safaris are possible,
• Like most of the Sabi Sands, leopard sightings are particularly good and most other species are likely to be seen

Located on the slopes of Lion’s Head and with expansive views of the Atlantic Ocean, Ellerman House is an iconic boutique hotel with a unique character dating back to its days as home to shipping magnates Sir John and Lady Ellerman.  

• The property is home to a phenomenal art and wine collection, beautifully appointed rooms and tiered gardens
• Ellerman House is a consistent favorite among luxury travelers
• Ideally located to explore Cape Town and surrounds, as well as the abundance of world-class restaurants

Located within a private reserve surrounded by the Sabi Sands, Singita Boulders offers an incredibly luxurious experience, with a safari experience being somewhat more of a side-focus.

• An incredible spa, gym, restaurant, boutique gallery and divine swimming pool are all on offer
• Mountain biking, bush walks and game drives are available for those who can drag themselves away from the lodge’s luxuries
• The inspiration for Singita Boulders was drawn from surrounding rock formations, lending a raw organic feel to the lodge
• Luxurious fittings and amenities such as 100% linen sheets and private plunge pools set the stage for the similarly premium level of service guests experience at Boulders.

Owned by one of South Africa’s wealthiest families, the Oppenheimers, Tswalu is the largest private game reserve in the country. There are two luxury properties on the reserve in which you can choose to stay in, and in fact, you can actually combine properties for varied experience during a longer stay.

• There more than 70 species of mammals and 230 species of birds (including endangered raptors), at Tswalu, which is also home to the elusive aardvark, aardwolf, pangolin and porcupine
• Also at Tswalu, visitors are likely to see the black-maned Kalahari lions, meerkats, desert black rhino and a range of rare antelope species
• The sleep outs are well-worthwhile in the Malori Star-beds

This property is proudly owner-managed and is the ideal base from which to explore the historic town of Stellenbosch and the Cape Winelands.

• Each room has its own personality and are all beautifully designed with a great deal of individualism
• A great ‘in-town’ option from where you can wander the historic streets of Stellenbosch – South Africa’s second-oldest town
• The Cape Winelands are easy to navigate if you self-drive, or we can arrange drivers for you which makes wine-tasting at the various wine farms much more enjoyable!