Whether you’re after a next-level family reunion, an off-the-grid experience or a convenient conference venue, we’ve got you covered
PROTEA HOTEL PRETORIA LOFTUS PARK
Pretoria
Just a hooker’s lineout throw away from Loftus Versfeld Stadium, this 152-roomed behemoth will no doubt attract its fair share of sports tourists and fanatics. It’s all about strategic location when it comes to this ambitious addition to the Pretoria skyline: positioned in the Loftus Park precinct, just a hop, skip and jump from the Hatfield Gautrain Station and the Tshwane Rapid Transit bus route, it forms an integral part of the dynamic mixed-use corporate, retail and lifestyle development. Although it’s geared towards conference delegates, global hotel giant Marriott hasn’t overlooked the style factor – expect muted caramels, wooden details and pendant lights in the super-spacious lobby; clean-lined rooms with well-positioned amenities; and a show-stopping rooftop restaurant and bar with views that stretch forever. Protea.marriott.com
&BEYOND PHINDA HOMESTEAD
KwaZulu-Natal
If you’ve just won the lottery (or inherited a bunch of cash) and are planning to push the boat out for your next family reunion, look no further than this gracious single-use villa in the heart of Big Five country. &Beyond Phinda Homestead has reopened after a fire gutted it two years ago, and the total rebuild is characterised by understated seven-star luxury. Shaded flat-roofed walkways flow onto open sun decks and a rim-flow swimming pool. Generous en-suite bedrooms offer ample privacy, while the kick-back-and-relax areas are cool and expansive. With a bush hideaway as glam as this one, you’ll expect – and get – a private chef and butler, a dedicated ranger and tracker team, as well as a private safari vehicle. And when you’re not snoozing, swimming, socialising or experiencing the best close-up sightings of cheetah and the rare black rhino during your tailored game drives, you can treat yourself to an in-room massage. Yes: utter bliss. Andbeyond.com
THE PEECH BOUTIQUE HOTEL
Johannesburg
Bold, urban architecture meets artisanal handcrafted interior finishes in this recent upgrade to the eco-chic Peech Boutique Hotel. Fourteen luxury rooms feature sustainable herringbone oak floorboards and stackable glass doors that open onto private terraces. In keeping with its ethos of sustainability, be prepared for a generous shower in your en-suite, instead of the traditional water-guzzling bath. And for the rest? Think monochromatic hues of slate, charcoal, snow and ebony, interspersed with bursts of colourful artworks that make a nod to our local flora, architectural landmarks and animals. The extra touches at this city oasis near Melrose Arch are well thought out and executed. Hammock overlooking the gardens? Tick. Hanging pod chairs in the suites? Tick. Happy resident cat called Peeches? Tick. Laid-back bistro serving simple, seasonal meals? Tick. It all adds up to a contemporary hotel that embraces minimalism while maximising comfort. Thepeech.co.za
OMAANDA LODGE
Namibia
If you’re an Angelina Jolie fan, you’ll be pleased to know she had a great deal to do with the existence of this recently opened safari escape. Rumour has it, after meeting hospitality genius Arnaud Zannier in Cambodia, the thespian-slash-philanthropist urged him to invest in Namibia. Wisely heeding her advice, Arnaud, in collaboration with the N/a’an ku sêFoundation, today owns 9 000 hectares of otherworldly savannah just 45 minutes’ drive from Windhoek airport – and Omaanda Lodge is now open for business. Inspired by traditional Ovambo architecture, it comprises 10 rondavels built from natural clay and hand-finished thatch that promise the last word in barefoot luxury. Each unit is superbly simple and designed to capitalise on the memory-making views that spool out before you. And although every detail – from the lobby’s sprawling linen couches to the boutique spa and Le Labo bath products – discreetly whispers five-star excellence, the real stars of the show are the creatures that prowl, stalk, kick and snort in the vicinity. (Omaanda means rhinoceros in Oshiwambo.) Zannierhotels.com
TINTSWALO AT BOULDERS
Cape Town
Boulders Beach just outside Simonstown will soon be known for more than its world-famous colony of endangered African penguins. The Tintswalo group that also operates the five-star Tintswalo Atlantic at the foot of Chapman’s Peak has opened the Tintswalo at Boulders Boutique Villa. Operating as a bed-and-breakfast, with nine double suites and a children’s suite, the villa sleeps 18 adults and two children and can be booked on an exclusive-use basis for families and friends travelling together. Its north-facing beachfront location means spectacular ocean views that can also be enjoyed from the terrace with a sea-view pool. This stretch of coastline en route to Cape Point has a lot to offer beyond the penguins (which can be a little noisy for some), including some pristine swimming beaches and the region’s unique fynbos. If all this appeals, you’ll be happy to know there’s availability until 31 March 2019, offering a complimentary third night when booking a two-night stay. Tintswalo.com
WORDS Biddi Rorke