Gym Archives - South Africa Sun

The Twelve Apostles Hotel

One of our favourites – this is luxury personified with views over the Atlantic ocean and the Twelve Apostles mountain range

The 12 Apostles has one of the most spectacular locations nestling beneath the Twelve Apostles mountain range, forming the spine of the Cape Peninsula behind Table Mountain and beside the beauty of the Atlantic Ocean. The rooms are in a larger than suite format with a large bathroom and have either a mountain or ocean view – the choice is yours.

About the Location

The pool complex is tasteful overlooking the sea and here you can relax, eat lunch or you may prefer to dine in the excellent restaurant. The service is very attentive. There is a second pool complex next to the charmingly casual bistro, which serves light meals. There are walks in the grounds up to the mountain; bustling Camps Bay is 5 minutes drive and the centre of Cape Town is 15 minutes over the spectacular Kloof Nek pass near the Table Mountain Cableway.

Tsala Treetop Lodge, Plettenberg Bay

Treetop living at its absolutely most luxurious…….you will be amazed and captivated by this unique property

The sister hotel to Hunter’s – it shares the same driveway – could not be more different in style. Here you will find the same 5 star luxury and attentive service but the ambience is similar to some of the bush camps built around and up trees! This is more for the adventurous (and more athletic) than Hunter’s with the rooms reached along boarded walkways above the forest. Climb up some stairs into your room complex and you will be amazed! Each suite has its own plunge pool (yes aloft in the trees) that you can sit beside in complete privacy. The suites comprise a lounge area and bedroom divided by a stone chimney and fireplace for those cool autumnal evenings. The bathrooms can only be described as an incredible feat of design (if sometimes a little impractical) with granite bathtubs and basins and beautiful showers. The central complex is complete with a first class dining room that serves fine ?nouvelle? style cuisine and the lounge has great views. This is definitely a must for people looking for something a little different.

About the Location

Whether you just want to relax in a truly romantic location, arrange your destination in Tsala’s chapel in the forest or use this asa a convenient and different base from which to explore the Garden Route, this lodge has one of the biggest ‘wow’ factors of any property we have seen.

MAIA Luxury Resort & Spa, Anse Louis, Mahe

An extraordinary level of luxury awaits romantic couples with the budget to match

There are very few properties worldwide that can match the sophisticated luxury and attention to personal service provided by Maia. Each beautifully appointed villa has its own dedicated butler. Your own personal butler ensures your every whim is catered for and complete uninterrupted privacy if this is your wish. Each villa has wonderful views over the bay and a beautiful infinity pool set in your own private tropical gardens. No expense is spared in the provision of toiletries and even the sound system is provided by Bose. The resort has an excellent central restaurant but guests are invited to arrange their own menu to be served in their villa – even in bed if required! The resort’s slogan is “Whatever, Wherever, Whenever”.

About the Location

The resort hides among the tropical foliage overlooking Anse Louis. The spa and wellness centre provides Balinese massage complete with local products. Couples therapy sessions are provided in a lush garden setting. The remoteness of the location ensures complete relaxation punctuated only by the natural sounds on the islands.

Hilton Northolme, Mahe

This is a great hotel for travelers used to Hilton and its consistency

The hotel has a high standard with some of the familiar Hilton touches. The location is attractive but the beach area close to the hotel is relatively small. The rooms are well appointed with lavish use of darker woods reminiscent of a more nautical theme. Some rooms benefit from a private pool.

About the Location

The hotel is positioned on the cliffside and complimentary buggies transport guests to the central amenities. There is an attractive infinity pool although it is close to the road way just by reception.

Maison Chablis

Franschhoek charm

This is a charming house with 7 tastefully appointed en-suite rooms – most with a private entrance. The grounds are compact but there is a reasonable sized shaded pool.

About the Location

The property is located in the oldest part of Franschhoek – the area known as the French Quarter with many properties dating back to the 1700s and the early French Huguenot settlers. The lively town centre is a short walk away and there are numerous fine restaurants to choose from. The South Africa Sun ‘Care Package’ will help you select the right one for you. The Franschhoek Valley abounds with fine wineries so a wine tasting tour (this can be arranged by Maison Chablis) is always guaranteed to be a memorable experience.

Cinnamon Boutique Guest Lodge, Wilderness, Garden Route

Cinnamon is a perfect and very stylish backwater in the beautiful village of Wilderness

Cinnamon has 13 exceptionally luxurious suites set amidst the luxuriant foliage of the Wilderness National Park. No expense has been spared in providing this hotel with exquisite furnishings and stylish decor. The exceptionally large bathrooms compliment the suite style rooms and all include showers, baths and bidets. Each suite has a balcony, some with ocean views and others overlooking the mountains. The dining experience is renowned as one of the top ten restaurant along the Garden Route. The lodge gets consistently excellent reviews and, for example, on Trip Advisor it ranks number 1 in Wilderness. Cinnamon is the sister lodge to On the Beach in Wilderness.

About Cinnamon’s Location

Although the hotel is not on the beach, the vast expanse of Wilderness beach is just a five minute walk. Wilderness is a great location to use as a base to explore the Garden Route and the Little Karoo. Wilderness is adjacent to a beautiful nature reserve and at the start of South Africa’s Lake District. While rip tides make Wilderness beach unsuitable for swimming, Victoria Bay close by is perfect for swimmers and surfers alike. Trendy, bustling Knysna is a 35 minute drive set around a spectacular lagoon and here you will find interesting shops and restaurants. The upmarket resort town of Plettenberg Bay with three stunning beaches, great hiking and some of the best restaurants in the Garden Route is a 45 minute drive. In the other direction, drive over the spectacular Outeniqua Pass close to the principal Garden Route town of George and after an hour’s drive you will arrive in Oudsthoorn which is the center South Africa’s Ostrich industry. Here you will be able to learn about these fascinating birds and buy ostrich leather goods at very competitive prices. The world famous Cango Caves are just a 15 minute drive from Oudsthoorn.

Cinnamon Boutique Hotel

Wilderness Beach, South Africa

Spier Village, Stellenbosch

Village style accommodations set in a large wine estate

Spier is a long established winery, which has developed substantially in recent years initially as a restaurant and a small cheetah conservation project to a fully-fledged resort, with a distinctly African feel, in beautiful grounds overlooking the Jonkershoek Mountains. Accommodation is located in the Spier Village, which extends to 155 rooms encompassing luxuriously appointed rooms and suites. Here you can hold a raptor, go for a segway tour, have a picnic by the lake, relax by one of the seven pools or indulge yourself in a wine tasting only a short stagger from your room.

About the Location

There are three rated restaurants and delis to cater for every taste. Horse and pony rides can be arranged and the property also boasts an 18 hole golf course. The property is conveniently situated 20 minutes drive from Cape Town International Airport and it will only take you 30 minutes to drive into the centre of Cape Town. Stellenbosch is 10 minutes away by car, The Strand with its excellent beaches is close by as is the Somerset Mall in Somerset West for shopping.

Fregate Island

This is a wonderful island with giant granite boulders that are synonymous with the Seychelles scenery

The resort can accommodate up to a maximum of 40 guests in 16 beautiful villas strategically built on the granite rocks overlooking the Indian Ocean. The size of the island and the location of the villas ensures privacy. Local building materials have been utilised such as the indigenous mahogany and so the villas blend in very naturally with their surroundings.

Each villa has two bedroom, a large terrace with a day bed and a Jacuzzi. The tropical feel of the villas is imparted by light and plenty of space. The island has two freshwater pools and seven beaches with one, Anse Victorin renowned as one of the most beautiful in the world. Another, Anse Macqueraeu is for private use on a first come first serve basis! Activities abound for the energetic. Snorkelling, hobby cats, kayaks and fishing aboard the island’s launches are all available.

About the Location

There is a fully equipped gym and for the really energetic the 125m Mt Signal is a worthwhile climb. Children are well catered for with their very own Castaway Club to keep them occupied in their own tropical paradise.Fregate is also a culinary experience. As the island has its own fresh water source, much of the fruit, vegetables, salads and herbs used by the kitchen are homegrown. Dinner is served either in the historic and romantic setting of Plantation House for wonderful Creole cooking or in Fregate House where a gourmet menu is prepared daily. Guests can dine in the comfort of their own villa or eat casually at the beach bar.

Raffles, Anse Takamaka, Praslin

This a very special hotel with a setting that can only be described as paradise.

The setting is spectacular and unusual. Raffles occupies a commanding view over Anse Takamaka and the island of Curieuse. All the suites are large with a plunge pool and views over the bay. The accommodation is exceptionally luxurious and private. The rooms (and the bathroom) look out over your own private deck and the extraordinary scenery. The restaurant specialises in local dishes as well as an international menu and provides some of the best cuisine we have encountered in the Seychelles. The hotel has three restaurants, each with their own style of cuisine. The hotel also has a wonderful pool for those who just want to relax. You may also want to make ‘friends’ with the hotel’s own giant tortoises. The rooms are situated over a wide and elevated location and the hotel provides buggies to transport you around the property. You will see a myriad of colourful birds and we have even seen the reclusive tenrec (a type of cute, long snouted mouse) nesting in the bushes at twilight.

About the Location

The views are spectacular across crystal clear turquoise blue waters. In the distance, you will see the pristine and ecologically fascinating island of Curieuse. This is home to some of the World’s largest and oldest tortoises including one that is reputedly 300 years old! Trips to Curieuse can be arranged by the hotel. Concierge will also arrange scuba diving as well as snorkeling. If you don’t want to stray too far then snorkeling from the beach by the hotel will reward you with a myriad of remarkably tame fish. The hotel is situated on the far side of Praslin from the airport, which is approximately a 20-minute drive. You will also be close to the most photographed beach in the Seychelles – Anse Lazio. The beach is palm fringed with the characteristic rounded granite rocks and pristine almost pink sands. It is also easy to catch the ferry from Praslin for the short journey to the island of La Digue. In summary this is one of the most romantic locations that you will find anywhere in the world!

Etali Safari Lodge, Madikwe Game Reserve

Etali Safari Lodge is the perfect combination of Animals, Romance & the African Bush.

We regard Etali as one of the best Safari Lodges that we have stayed at. A combination of peerless accommodation, excellent food (not always present at even some of the most expensive safari lodges), wonderful ambiance and superb game viewing. Above all, Etali has some of the most helpful staff that we have encountered makiong this a truly memorable experience. The very private accommodation is in 10 separate, thatched lodges. Each has comfortable living and sleeping quarters and a generous bathroom complete with double indoor shower and a private outdoor shower too. The deck is ideal for game viewing or just gazing at the splendid southern hemisphere stars – but don’t be surprised if the odd giraffe tries to ‘sneak’ past in the dark! The private plunge pool on your deck is, in fact, a heated Jacuzzi! This is truly your own 5 star heaven in the bush. The central facilities are excellent and include a fully equipped outdoor gym and an adjacent wellness centre.

About Etali’s Location

The experienced rangers and trackers will guide you on your game drives and, if you prefer, a bush walk. Dinner is in the boma close to a waterhole and we were particularly impressed by the impromptu show from a lone elephant that appeared committed to enjoying a drink and a shower while the guests / onlookers enjoyed their breakfasts.