If you had to choose only 2 continents to visit in your lifetime, choose Africa. 2 times……. (R.Elliot)
One of the most interesting countries on this continent is, of course, South Africa - the largest economic power in Africa - a beautiful and controversial country, with incredible natural values, a 50-year history of apartheid policy, a country where we can find slums, but also great luxury hotels, the beauty of which and standard we can only dream of in Poland.
I love coming back to South Africa – it has so much to offer! Beautiful beaches, the possibility of close contact with wildlife, getting to know such a linguistically and culturally diverse nation, the best wines from local vineyards. If we have already seen the most important attractions of this country, such as Table Mountain, a safari in the Kruger Park or Route 62, we can focus on visiting the best hotels in South Africa.
Royal Portfolio in South Africa is a unique collection of 3 small hotel-residences.
The first one I want to tell you about is located just an hour from Cape Town, in one of the most beautiful towns in South Africa – Franhchoek, also known as the “culinary and wine capital”.
La Residence consists of 8 apartments, each of them furnished with great taste and a splendor rarely seen in the hotel industry these days. The owner, Mrs. Liz Biden, spared neither money nor time to design something that arouses sincere admiration and delight of her guests.
As she once told me, "My husband is a banker and loves making money, and I love art and interior design, so we complement each other perfectly; thanks to his money, I can design my hotels and realize my dreams and designer fantasies." And rightly so. We see the magnificent results of this marital symbiosis in the hotels in the Royal Portfolio, including here at La Residence. The ubiquitous African art, furniture from around the world, almost baroque interiors, and a fairytale setting amidst vineyards make this place unique.
The meals at La Residence and the way they are served could be the subject of a thick book; I'll mention, for example, the beef steaks, so tender you could cut them with a fork, the delicate salads from the hotel garden, the freshest fish from the ocean... Meals are topped off with the classic 'fondant au chocolat' that tastes like heaven. The impeccable yet unobtrusive service reads our minds – the restaurant manager tries to understand the guest's personality and recommend the appropriate wine. It's worth noting that La Residence produces its own exquisite wines.
La Residence is neither a pompous nor stiff place, guests feel, I would say, like staying at a rich friend's house. No one is in a hurry here, the staff are used to pampering guests. The incredible charm of this place and its top-class service were appreciated by, among others: Sir Elton John, who graced the opening ceremony of the hotel with his concert and who has his suite at La Residence.
There is a separate part of the La Residence estate for families with children; beautiful villas with 2-3 bedrooms, their own swimming pools and a separate lobby and restaurant, where children and their parents can feel very comfortable. The private lobby to the villa has the so-called open kitchen, where you can cook together with the chef, creating a truly homely atmosphere.
After a few days at the La Residence hotel and tastings at the surrounding vineyards, I discover two terrible truths: firstly, my dresses have mysteriously shrunk, and secondly, each vineyard I visit seems better than the last. This is a sure sign that it's time to hit the road... to see another hotel 'gem' from Ms. Liz's collection.
Birkenhead House It's a boutique hotel-villa perched on a rock in the well-kept and wealthy town of Hermanus, in Walker Bay, right on the ocean's edge. As luck would have it, I had the opportunity to celebrate my next "18th" birthday there. The staff were duly impressed, though naturally, like any woman over 30, I would have preferred to ignore this "special occasion." A delicious cake and the finest drinks arrived at our table without any prior planning, not to mention rose petals on the bed and a bottle of exquisite, chilled Cap Classique (the South African version of champagne), which supposedly always greets guests in Birkenhead House rooms.
You can arrange a bespoke meal at any time of day, and the chef will prepare a dish of your choosing. Birkenhead House offers breakfast (which can be served in bed), lunch, dinner, afternoon tea, and cocktails served in the hotel lobby, all included in the price. All of this creates a truly unique and exclusive all-inclusive experience.
However, I came to Birkenhead House for another reason… Whales. During the season, from June to December, you can watch them from the hotel windows and terrace. Hermanus is the whale-watching capital of South Africa. During your stay at Birkenhead House, the hotel staff can arrange a boat trip for you to view them from just a few meters away!
Some believe that the most interesting way to observe these giant mammals is from a light aircraft flying along the coast. For those seeking the ultimate thrill, I recommend shark diving in Gansbaai, 50 km away. After checking out all the nearby attractions in Hermanus, I suggest flying from Cape Town to Kruger Park, or alternatively, taking the Rovos train from Cape Town to Pretoria, and continuing your stay at the third property in the Royal Portfolio series.
Royal malewane – these are exclusive villas in a private reserve, adjacent to the Kruger Park, which are considered the most luxurious accommodation on the entire African continent. They can only be compared to a few other lodges in South Africa, such as Singita in the Sabi Sands Reserve or Morukuru in Madikwe Park. I recommend this place especially to those of you who have been dreaming about seeing the Big Five for several years, but are concerned about the safety, hygiene or quality of accommodation in the bush.
Even though I have been on safari trips to African countries many times, including Zambia and even Gambia, each time a visit to the Kruger Park and its surrounding reserves fills me with joy. Rich fauna and several different ecosystems create a unique landscape and climate. If we come here in summer (our winter), our eyes will be pleased with lush, lush greenery and an incredible number of beautiful birds. In turn, winter there is a perfect time to observe and photograph animals in low grass and leafless trees. Fortunately, such an attraction as meeting a drunk elephant eating fermented morula fruit can happen all year round...
Reserve Royal malewane this is the land of the African Big Five. Animals are present here in good numbers, we will see, among others: lions, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, rhinos and even rare wild dogs. Not to mention the so-called bush McDonald, i.e. impalas with a specific M on their rump, of which there are thousands here. Their meat is delicious and everyone in the bush knows it; lions, hyenas and the chef at Royal Malewane and his guests.
As I promote stress-free travel, I recommend staying here for about 4 days. Then you will be sure that you will not miss anything from the Big Five, culinary creations or SPA treatments. Someone would think that spa treatments are not necessary in the bush, but everyone can get stressed from spotting a leopard, trying to capture a bird taking flight with a not always professional camera and... from deciding what wine to choose for the next dinner.
Sample stay program:
2 nights at La Residence + 2 nights at Birkenhead House, Hermanus – from USD 1 for 920 person in a double room/apartment.
7 Nights Royal South Africa: 2 nights at La Residence, 1 night at Birkenhead House, Hermanus, 4 nights safari at Royal Malewane – from USD 5 for 590 person in a double room/apartment.
In price: accommodation in the most beautiful suites, meals, wine tastings, all drinks including alcohol. The price does not include flights or transfers.
Author: Diana Carter
