Wellness Archives - South Africa Sun

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.

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.

Constance Lemuria Resort, Anse Kerlan, Praslin

Lemuria is a great location for families and couples

Lemuria has accommodation to suits all requirements. The Junior Suites are situated in blocks which are a little lacking in style compared to many of the hotels we have visited. The accommodation, however is generally stylish, comfortable and the location is convenient for the beach and central facilities. The pool villas are more expensive but have greater style and provide a more romantic location.

About the Location

The resort is close to the airport. The hotel has the only championship golf course in the Seychelles in a truly idyllic setting. There are tennis courts, a great spa and wellness center, shops as well as a scenic pool. There are three restaurants one of which provides some of the finest dining in the Seychelles. There are three beaches. Two are close to the suites and one is a twenty minute walk although there is a regular shuttle provided. It is also possible to hike over to Anse Lazio for the energetic.

The Plettenberg Hotel, Plettenberg Bay

Top of the range hotel with a true South African ‘feel’ in a stunning location

This is luxury 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. This is a sister company to The Marine (Hermanus) and The Cellars – Hohenhort (Cape Town). These are all top of the range 5 star hotels with a level of service that is second to none. There are a number of room options ranging from a luxury room that may have a view of the car park, to sea facing luxury rooms with incredible views across the bay. There is also a house that can be rented on a self-catered basis. Enjoy the infinity pool with an amazing view of the Indian Ocean.

About the Location

Beaches are very close and a further appeal is that the centre of Plett is just a 5-minute walk away. You can choose to eat at one of the many good restaurants locally or indulge yourself in the hotel’s own, elegant, if a little formal, restaurant – Sand. From here you can enjoy the many activities in Plett including whale watching, in season, hiking on the beautiful Robberg Peninsula or just relaxing on one of the many beaches.

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.

Mont Rochelle, Franschhoek

Beautiful and very stylish thatched hotel overlooking the Franschhoek Valley

A first class luxuriously appointed hotel and although is priced to reflect this, the extra expense is well worth it. The hotel has spectacular views from the terrace overlooking the fabulous Franschhoek valley. The restaurant is one of our favourites and one of the most highly regarded in South Africa. The hotel is situated high above Franschhoek so most of the 22 bedrooms have spectacular views.

About the Location

The village is only 5 minutes drive away and is bustling with numerous boutiques, restaurants and street cafes. Some of the finest wineries in South Africa are within easy reach and Cape Town is only 45 minutes drive. Therefore, whether you want a romantic place to stay at the end of your holiday or just a dinner to remember Mont Rochelle should be on your itinerary.

Cousine Island

Follow in the footsteps of Sir Paul McCartney & Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge

If you are seeking privacy and exclusivity and budget is not too much of a concern then Cousine Island is probably one of the most perfect locations anywhere in the world. This fairly small island is situated 6 kms off the coast of Praslin and is home to numerous migratory birds, Hawksbill and Green Turtles and, of course, Giant Tortoises. The island is completely free of alien mammals and so is also the perfect Private Nature Reserve. It is also classified as a Conservation Island. Accommodation is in 4 exceptionally luxuriously appointed villas set right by the beach with wonderful ocean views. Only 10 people at a time can be accommodated on the island and the design and location of each villa ensures the maximum privacy. Most of the building materials for the buildings were sourced locally and all the ingredients for the restaurant are similarly sourced locally to provide a wonderful Creole experience. The main building (called The Pavillion) has a dining area and overlooks the pool, the Indian Ocean and the islands of Praslin, Cousin and Aride in the distance. Boat excursions to other islands, diving and fishing can be arranged. There is a spa in the newly created Wellness Centre and there is also a gym. The beach extend for the full length of the island and a further one appears during the North West Monsoon season. Transfers can be arranged by helicopter from Mahe and Praslin airports.

St Alexis, St Gilles les Bains

An unusual, luxurious hotel on the main beach of the island

This is one of the most unusual hotels we have encountered. From the time you enter the reception area with its model of the boat (St Alexis) that brought the French to Reunion) and underwater views of the pool, you know that this hotel is different. It is large with 58 rooms and suites of varying sizes and all on the ground floor have a terrace with direct access to the pool which winds its way around the hotel complex. Accommodation is spacious and decoration is sophisticated using cool and uncluttered schemes. Bathrooms are also larger than normal. There is direct access to a great beach, which has a semi private feel at the quieter end of this popular bay. There is an excellent restaurant serving a variety of well-prepared dishes at tables that are on a terrace overlooking the beach as well as inside. The hotel has gym and spa facilities in addition to several Jacuzzis located around the pool.

About the Location

Although the hotel fronts onto a busy street in popular St Gilles, once you are inside the hotel you are in a different world where you will be able to relax. From the hotel, you can drive into the mountain regions around Cilaos. This is a 3-hour drive along tortuous roads providing some of the most spectacular views on the island. You may want to use the hotel as a stylish base and combine it with a couple of nights in Cilaos. We also recommend taking an organised day tour to the volcanic southeastern side of the mountain where you will be able to walk out on lava flows by the sea that are still steaming! For the volcano, La Fournaise, we suggest a helicopter tour unless you are very fit and enjoy hiking at high altitudes.

Teremok Marine Lodge, Umhlanga Rocks, Natal North Coast

Stylish accommodation close to one of the top beaches in South Africa

This lodge, set in one of the most exclusive residential areas in South Africa, has a rich and romantic history. The land was acquired by a Russian immigrant, who fled the revolution and his wife in 1965. He subsequently died tragically and the house that had been built was eventually sold to the current owners in 2002. The property was fully renovated and enlarged, keeping many of the original features. The luxurious accommodation comprises 8 beautiful suites, each with their own balcony and some with sea views. The decoration is always cooling and whilst some rooms reflect the heritage of the original owners, others relate to the theatrical connections of the present owners.

About the Location

The Wellness Centre includes a well-equipped gym and a therapist is available to provide various treatments for that well-earned pampering! The tropical gardens include a wonderful pool for enjoying sundowners around after the heat of the day. The beach is 200 metres away and the lively centre of Umhlanga Rocks, with numerous, good restaurants, is just 1 km distant. This is within easy reach of Durban (15 minutes) and the airport (25 minutes) and is close to the Gateway Mall for inveterate shoppers! The renowned Hluhluwe – Umfolozi Game Reserve is approximately a two and a half hour drive.