Feature: Mountains

The Cellars, luxury winelands hotel, Cape Town

A consistent favourite for those seeking ultimate luxury winelands hotel in South Africa

This is truly a South Africa luxury winelands hotel with accommodation at its finest, equivalent to the top international hotels but distinctly South African. The rooms are beautifully decorated in the unique, luxuriously restful style established by the late Liz McGrath. The family have maintained her legacy which extends to the other hotels in this small exclusive group. These are  The Marine in Hermanus and The Plettenberg in Plettenberg Bay which are all top of the range 5 star hotels with a level of service that is second to none. For that special occasion, the Cellars can offer a separate cottage where Nelson Mandela once stayed. This cottage comes complete with a kitchen, lounge and outside jacuzzi.  Other notable visitors to the Liz McGrath hotels include the Duke of Edinburgh.

About Cape Town and the Constantia Winelands

The gardens are a botanist’s fantasy and if these are not enough the world famous Kirstenbosch Gardens are nearby. You will love to relax by the two pools with Table Mountain as a backcloth. The hotel has two rated restaurants one built around the garden and the other serving Cape Malay cuisine. Afternoon tea or a pre dinner glass of wine can be served on the terrace which is surrounded by beautiful flower beds with many of the local floral species growing in profusion. Cape Town is an easy 15 minutes drive away but the hotel ‘feel’ is the countryside. On the way to the city centre, you can visit the impressive Rhodes Memorial built as an imperial reminder of Cecil Rhodes with its commanding views to the north. His dream was to see the British Empire extend from the Cape to Cairo.  Long after his death and after the Great War, he would have seen his dream come true! All the wineries in the Constantia Winelands are within a twenty minute drive. Groot Constantia and Buitenverwachting are among our favorites and some of the oldest wineries in South Africa.

Visit the Cellars website for more information

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.

Fynbos Ridge, Plettenberg Bay

Fynbos Ridge is an old favourites set in its own Nature Reserve close to the wonderful resort town of Plettenberg Bay

Fynbos Ridge is well appointed and set in extensive grounds, which is a private eco-reserve. Recent wild fires in early 2017  have damaged the vegetation and the pool area but we expect a quick recovery. The owners have created a tranquil environment. Here you can live in the unique cape fynbos, which is one of the key floral kingdoms of the world. The accommodation is 5 beautifully appointed large bedroom suites in the main house where you will be accommodated on a bed & breakfast basis. Dinner can be provided on request. There are 3 self-contained cottages and one studio unit. The cottages are some of the finest we have seen and can accommodate up to six but in a very spacious and private environment. For chilly autumn and winter evenings there are log fires. For the frequent warm, fine evenings you will have all that you need to cook the traditional South African way with all the Braai (barbecue) facilities you need.

About Fynbos Ridge’s Location

Plettenberg Bay is nearby (7 minutes drive) where you will find excellent food shops. These include Woolworths, which UK travelers will recognise as identical to Marks & Spencer!  You will find this an excellent base for walking, Trails can be found on the property, in the nearby Harkerville Forest, on Robberg Peninsula or along one of the many wonderful beaches nearby. The pristine Tsitsikamma Forest and Coastal National Park is a 45 minute drive. Bustling Knysna is just a 15 minute drive. There is an interesting local wine route. There are 16 wineries producing some excellent and little known wines. A number of the wineries serve great farm to table food to compliment a wine tasting. The fascinating animal parks in The Crags are just a 15 minute drive. These allow you to get close to many cats, elephants, monkeys, birds and even snakes. Most of these animals have been rescued from inappropriate captivity.

Tamodi, The Crags, Garden Route

Tamodi Lodge is for the nature lover with views from each room of the indigenous forest and the Outeniqua Mountains

Tamodi  is an exquisitely designed typically African lodge  overlooking the  thickly wooded valleys of The Crags. The lodge is 15 minutes’ drive from the center of Plettenberg Bay. The lodge has just four rooms and suites, Each room and suite has wonderful views and access to the extensive balcony with infinity pool. Each room has a distinctly African feel with comfortable beds and over-sized bathrooms – some with private outside showers. Underfloor heating is provided for those chilly winter nights. Tamodi has two large lounges with three massive log fireplaces to make your stay cozy even during the winter months. Sumptuous breakfasts are provided. Tamodi is for nature lovers! You will enjoy the quiet solitude of the African bush with the occasional sightings of baboons and vervet monkeys. This is a great location for bird watching.

About Tamodi’s Location

Tamodi Lodge is located 7 minutes drive from the main N2 highway in the midst of the forest. Keurboomstrand with its spectacular beach scenery and renowned beach restaurant Enrico’s is just a short 10 minute drive. Guests wishing to enjoy horse riding will not be disappointed as Tamodi is also an equestrian center.  The fascinating animal parks in The Crags are within a 10 minute drive. These parks enable you to get close to small cats, birds, elephants, monkeys and, yes, even snakes! The highest bungy jump in the world is a 30 minute drive and the Tsitsikamma National Park is 45 minutes away. You will enjoy a walk on the beach at Nature’s Valley  which is one of the most unspoiled locations along The Garden Route. The Plettenberg Bay wine route is close by  and a hike on the spectacular Robberg Peninsula Nature Reserve is just a 20 minute drive.

Aquavit, Plettenberg Bay, Garden Route

Aquavit is a beautiful property with one of the best views in Plettenberg Bay from your room!

Aquavit is all about luxury, comfort and spectacular views. The property has one of the top ratings on Trip Advisor of any establishment in South Africa and clearly deserves its 5 star rating. Aquavit has five exquisitely appointed rooms. Each room has its own semi private balcony or poolside patio. The owners have decorated each room in light earthy tones which, with the crisp white bed linens and huge windows gives a very airy and spacious feel. The large sliding windows open onto the balcony or poolside patio. Here you can relax in a lounger over looking one of the best views of Plettenberg Bay we have encountered. Aquavit is a small property and very popular so in the main season you should book well in advance to ensure availability. We at South Africa Sun are sure you won’t be disappointed.

About Aquavit’s Location

Plettenberg Bay is the gem of the Garden Route. The three main beaches are among the finest in South Africa. All the beaches are within a 5 minute drive of Aquavit. The town of Plettenberg Bay has some excellent restaurants so you will not be short of fine places to eat. If you enjoy a relatively easy hike choose the Robberg Peninsula Nature Reserve. The location offers a variety of hikes from the relatively easy to the fairly challenging. With each hike, however, you will be rewarded with some of the best photo opportunities. Robberg Peninsula was the site of the first semi permanent settlement in South Africa when  a Portuguese ship foundered in 1630. The survivors stayed for nine months before departing on the two ships they built.

You can drive from Aquavit to the numerous activities close by. Plettenberg Bay has its own wine route featuring 17 wineries and just 15 minutes’ drive away you can enjoy the fascinating animal parks at The Crags. Drive 30 minutes to the world’s highest bungy jump. A further 20 minutes will take you to the spectacular Tsitsikamma National Park and Storms River where you can enjoy a Tree Top Canopy Tour.

18 Hillwood, Bishop’s Court, Cape Town

18 Hillwood is an amazing self catering luxury house set beneath Table Mountain just 15 minutes from central Cape Town. The location and accommodation is simply stunning!

18 Hillwood is a 5 bedroom house that has everything you need for a luxurious stay in Cape Town. You can self cater and the house boasts a fully equipped kitchen. You can also ask the Staff, who are supplied, to cater for you and provide all your meals. The bedrooms are very private and much larger than usual  with enormous en suite bathrooms, some with a sitting room. The property is set in beautifully landscaped gardens. There are two pools, a veranda with outdoor furniture and tennis courts. The entire property has spectacular views overlooking the imposing back of Table Mountain. Breakfast can be provided. Normally the whole house will be let so it is ideal for a large family or even 5 couples traveling together. 18 Hillwood is  a 5 star property which, in our view, is fully justified and really exceeds its rating.

About 18 Hillwood’s Location

Bishop’s Court is one of the finest suburbs of Cape Town adjacent to Constantia. Drive just 5 minutes to the world renowned Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens where in Spring and Autumn you will find the Protea gardens ablaze with color. You can drive to the center of Cape Town, the Waterfront and the Table Mountain Cableway in just 15 minutes. 18 Hillwood is also well positioned for the Cape Peninsula. The Penguins at Boulders Beach are a 30 minute drive and spectacular Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope will take you around 45  minutes to drive. The Constantia Winelands are close by and the Cape Winelands around Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl are a 40 minute drive. For beach lovers, popular Camps Bay is a 25 minute drive. The property has a concierge service who will be able to arrange guided tours of the wine estates, helicopter tours and other trips if you would rather leave you car at home!

Montusi Mountain Lodge, Drakensberg

Montusi is an exceptional family owned and run property in a magical location

It is rare that we repeat verbatim the words from the website of a property but in our minds having spent time here, these words are perfect: “Montusi Mountain Lodge offers genuine hospitality in the tranquility of one of the most beautiful settings in Southern Africa. Space, comfort and peace are what you will find. Treat yourself to the natural splendour and peaceful, romantic ambiance of this Drakensberg haven.”  There are 10 spacious, self contained Garden Suites, 4 Family Suites and 2 much larger Mountain Suites. These are set in an estate of 1,000 hectares with the glorious backdrop of the imposing wall of The Amphitheatre. This is one of the most spectacular areas of the Drakensberg.  Accommodation is on a Dinner, Bed & Breakfast basis with food served in the main thatched lodge

About Montusi’s Location

The property has a swimming pool and tennis courts and horse riding and guided hiking can be arranged. Guided hiking can be arranged to the top of Montusi Mountain. Excursions to a cave with Bushmen paintings as well as into the nearby Royal Natal National Park are also offered. For the adventurous a guided hike to the top of the Amphitheatre can be arranged. You can hire Mountain Bikes and ride on the 100 km Drakensberg Mountain Biking Trail which goes right through the property. Fly fishing is available on the lodge’s two dams and for those seeking extreme thrills, All Out Adventures is a 10 minute drive away. Add a stay at Monusi to a battlefields location and a KwaZulu Natal Game Reserve.


Drosty Hotel, Graaff Reinet

Drostdy Hotel, Graaff-Reinet, Eastern Cape

The Drostdy Hotel is a  great choice for those looking for somewhere off the beaten track with touches of luxury

The Drostdy is a stunning hotel set in the charming Karoo town of Graaf-Reinet. The Executive rooms are set in village style throughout the grounds in individual cottages. The rooms and bathrooms are larger than normal and are well appointed complete with air conditioning, flat screen tv and a claw foot bath as well as a large shower. The hotel has three swimming pools, a spa and gym, wine tasting venue and a great restaurant set in a relaxing garden. The hotel has an extensive wine cellar and you should indulge in wine tasting during your stay. The restaurant serves sumptuous breakfasts as well as lunches and an excellent dinner menu.

About the Drostdy Hotel’s Location

Graaff-Reinet is the fourth oldest town in South Africa and although very Afrikaans, there are a lot of English touches. The main church is a stunning scaled down version of Salisbury Cathedral in England! The historic centre is full of thatched and metal roofed whitewashed cottages and this is the only town that is situated within its own National Park. The Camdeboo National Park includes the atmospheric and spectacular Valley of Desolation where you could imagine you are back in prehistory. It feels logical that this area has yielded some of the finest dinosaur fossils in southern Africa. While you are here you can visit the unusual and artistic community of Nieu Bethesda complete with its rather creepy Owl House which is now a national monument, a charming micro brewery which provides excellent lunches and there is also the ability to hunt for fossils in the river bed. You can also visit a number of private game reserves and the Mountain Zebra National Park which is an hour’s drive away.


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.


Goudini Spa, Rawsonville, Worcester

Goudini spa is a family resort set around hot springs in the mountains to the north of Cape Town

This is a hot spring spa set in the Hex River Mountains not far from Worcester and close to the main N2 Highway. This is a busy resort with comfortable and fairly simple accommodation provided in rondavels or apartments and cottages.  Accommodation can be catered or self catering – the choice is yours.

About Goudini’s Location

The main pool is a hot spring and very therapeutic. There is a separate waterslide and nearby the countryside is good for hiking. The little town of Worcester is known for its agricultural produce and vineyards are never far away. There is an interesting folk museum nearby. The old Du ToitsKloof pass through the mountains to Paarl and Cape Town is spectacular and you will often see baboons near the road.