Angala - a place to rest and reconnect, Franschhoek

At the foothills of the Franschhoek mountains sits a perfect space perfect to disconnect to reconnect. It's a wellness space that will make you feel held and is a stone's throw away from the main town of Franschhoek. Angala, A luxury wellness destination that will leave you recharged.

Angala is situated a mere hour from the centre of Cape Town and a beautiful drive through wine country and the surrounding cape fold mountains.

The hotel is tucked away in the most magnificent greenery and surrounded by gardens that immediately leave you feeling connected to mother nature. The space is well thought out, and the best part of the hotel is the incredible hydro facilities that surround it.

The rooms are country elegant with pure comfort at the forefront of the design. From heated bathroom floors, fireplaces for cold winter nights, and king-size beds; the rooms are built with luxury and comfort in mind. The rooms are fitted with a minibar and tea station enticing you to start your day with the perfect cup of coffee in bed.

Breakfast is served in the main hotel and is a selection of fresh fruits, homemade granola, and yoghurt. The granola was a home run for me, striking the perfect balance between crunch and sweetness.

The resident chef makes magic in the kitchen and not only is the hot breakfast that follows utterly delicious (my favourite meal of the day) but dinner is marvellous too. You will need to let them know in advance if you are planning to join for dinner. It takes the effort out of stalking the surrounds for food which allows you to further sink into the comfort of Angala.

As I mentioned earlier there are numerous hydro facilities on the property which include an eco pool and a hot tub too. You can opt for hot and cold water submerging and then find your way to the sauna for a final detoxifying sit. The property also offers a steam room. If relaxation is on your mind then ordering 'in' a massage is an option available to you with a professional massage service that will be set up in your room.

This means you can just flop around like a happy little fish from one amazing spa activity to the next, all in the comfort of a boutique hotel experience. Sign me up!

The service is incredible, and nothing is too much trouble for the staff. If you are celebrating an anniversary or simply looking to decompress from the city then all you need to do is communicate it to the hotel staff and they will take care of the rest.

Angala is a 5-star wellness destination that will leave you in a complete state of bliss and I can’t wait to find my way back.

-Melissa

A weekend of luxury at The Marine, Hermanus

Situated on the cliff edge overlooking the glorious Atlantic ocean, The Marine is one of the most spectacular luxury hotels I have ever stayed at. Part of the Mcgrath Collection this establishment overlooks Walker Bay and is the ultimate Whale watching location in Hermanus. I can now safely say first hand that The Collection holds three world-class hotels. 

Hermanus is an old fisherman's village which has become one of the most popular whale watching towns in the Western Cape.  A two-hour drive from Cape Town, The Marine is a getaway that will offer you all that you need. 

With uninterrupted sea views, the hotel boasts many sea facing rooms - which is a must if you are visiting!
The hotel dates back to 1902 and is steeped in history which can be found around every corner. Once placed in Liz McGrath's hands the grand lady was refurbished and brought into the 21st Century while honouring the hotel's unique heritage in 1998. 

The rooms are the ultimate luxury with calming colours and crisp white sheets. We stayed in the Princess suite that left me utterly speechless. A double volume room with a walk-in closet and lounge area that overlooks the ocean. The attention to detail comes right down to the coffee machine and handwritten welcome note. To be honest it is the first room I have stayed in where I didn't even want to go down for dinner but rather have room service instead. 

Speaking of room service; let’s talk about the food - which, granted, can be challenging with a mouth full of delicious starters or mains or dessert. Once a feast has kicked off, it is difficult to stop. I have had the privilege of visiting all three hotels that comprise the Liz Mcgrath Collection and I can easily say (excluding The Green House which is in a league of its own) that Origins at The Marine is my favourite. The food is just simply YUM. Bistro style and nothing complicated - Simple, beautiful cuisine. The flavours are perfect and each meal left me wanting more! There is something to be said for simple food done really well. It's my second time visiting and I will return again regardless of where I stay in Hermanus. If you are doing the same - be sure to book and try the bouillabaisse and the apple tart for dessert. 

With an on-site Spa, you might find it hard to leave the hotel. Don't worry, there is no judgement here because the same might or might not have happened to me. Book in advance and get your relaxation in with a full body massage or why not take some time out to detox in the steam room. No matter which treatment you choose you are sure to feel pampered and spoiled. 

Whether you find yourself in town over whale season or not,  be sure to  take a walk down the cliff path and get lost in the beauty that is Hermanus and its ocean views. You will find dassies bouncing around that will certainlyput a smile on your face! 

A night at Bosjes, Breede Valley

A little over an hours drives outside of Cape Town tucked away at the foot of mountains in the breede valley you will find Bosjes Estate. A magnificent property with landscaped gardens and their own architectural feat, the chapel. 

I was lucky enough to visit this gorgeous property and enjoy a night at the homely guest house. With its old Dutch charm the building is welcoming and contrasts the modern design of the restaurant and chapel. 

The interior is chic with pops of colour and rooms elegant with a gorgeous fireplace to keep you warm should you visit in the winter months! The rooms have a large king-sized bed and are fitted with black and white sophisticated bathrooms. The artwork in the rooms are beautiful and you cant but notice the attention to detail throughout. 

The wonderful thing with the guest house is that you can arrange to have a braai (BBQ) set up outside at the pool and enjoy a wonderful evening under the stars with a view of the mountain range. The ultimate relaxation. It is also a wonderful way to enjoy a truly South African experience in ultimate comfort. Breakfast is served bright and early in continental style. 

As a mid-morning treat, go and experience the teetuin (tea garden) which is simply fantastic. The gardens have been so well thought out and the detail is amazing. Each plant has a meaning and each area a plan for long-term growth. You can explore the gardens while sipping on tea or indulge in an over the top milkshake. The Chapel is what Bosjes is most famous for. With its recognizable architecture and its magnificent position on the estate, I am not surprised. It is rather breathtaking.   

The Kombuis is the onsight restaurant and with Kim Cox as the head chef, she has put together a hearty and tasty menu. The food is fresh and based on seasonal produce with a fun bistro flair to it. 

If you find yourself in need of a wedding venue or just a night away then taking a drive to Bosjes will be very worth your while! 

-Melissa 

*This blog post is sponosred by Bojes. All opinions are my own. 

A day of luxury at the One&Only

The Only&Only is one of the ultimate luxury hotels in Cape Town. 

Surrounded by water canals and the vista that is Table Mountain, the One&Only is a stone's throw from the city center of Cape Town and borders the famous Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. This establishment engulfs you in the lap of luxury. 

I was lucky enough to spend the day exploring the hotel and all it has to offer. The day started off right with bubbles and a feast at the well know Reuben's. This restaurant is his first urban restaurant and showcases local flavours and produce while honouring heritage and culture. Reuben and his head Chef Chris Mare have partnered up with sommelier Luvo Ntezo who has paired top quality food with some of the best local wines to take you on a taste journey that will leave you wanting for more. 

If you find yourself at the One&Only and needing the ultimate relaxation then why not book yourself into their spa? The spa is fully equipped, the treatments are professional and elaborate with qualified therapists ready to tailor make an experience to suit your unique needs. If you are having a massage, then definitely add in the hot stone therapy to work out the tension. 

Once you are finished and wrapped in a spa cocoon (aka spa gown) you will be treated to a variety of healthy snacks, a swim in their glorious pool that wouldn't find itself out of place in a Bond caper.

If you are yearning for more "me time" why not visit the saunas and hot tub for that extra needed R&R?

Treat Yo Self. 

Ending off the day with the sunset over the ocean and the clouds dancing like fire in the sky, I sat over looking the canals at cocktail hour with a flavorsome cocktail in one hand and a devil-may-care attitude in the other.

The mixologist focuses on less processed sugary cocktails and rather uses real food flavoring such as citrus peel and rose petals. Ask for the Moscow mule, you won't regret it. The perfect combination of flavors with frozen gooseberries and dried grapefruit is, in my opinion, a close 10. 

After sundowners, I enjoyed a world class experience at Nobu Restaurant. With Asian inspired dishes the food was simply delicious. 

You can try the full a la carte menu or the lighter tapas menu. Each dish was unique and well thought out with the perfect execution. Coupled with a few litchi martinis I was indeed a very happy girl!  

The One&Only offers an experience that makes you feel truly considered. Friendly, helpful staff with a magnificent location, spectacular food and all the amenities you could want for. 

It stands up to some of the top international hotels I have experienced and offers that extra special something that only South Africa can.  

-Melissa 

Cellars Hohenort & GreenHouse Restaurant

Picture a five-star oasis tucked away in the forest at the foot of a mountain in one of the oldest suburbs in Cape Town, Constantia. 

That is Cellars Hohenort. Part of the Liz Mcgrath collection this establishment boast one of the top ten restaurants in South Africa - The Green House, a luxurious spa, the Conservatory restaurant and of course, the most exquisite garden towering with giant oaks and lush green vegetation that you have ever seen. Oh and did I mention the cute ducks waddling around? Jemima Puddleduck eat your heart out!

Cellars have created the ultimate getaway experience where you will never want to leave and the best part? It is only a 25-minute drive outside of the Cape Town CBD. 

The hotel offers multiple amenities from guided garden walks, free gym passes, free wifi, airport shuttles, city tours and of course arranging wine tasting at the wonderful wine farms in the area. 

The rooms are large and sophisticated with king size beds. The bathrooms offer a large walk in shower and bath with heated towel rails and all the extras you could need for. My room over looked the lush gardens with a gorgeous balcony where you can sip your morning tea and enjoy the view as the sun rises. Each room has a mini bar and full tea set along with a welcome bottle of wine. Every detail has been thought of to ensure ultimate comfort. 

Dining at Cellars will leave you with several options of breath taking restaurants and bars. The first is the Conservatory. A classic dining experience with local food and flavours that have been elevated to a taste sensation experience brought to you by head chef Paul Nash and Executive chef Peter Templehoff. Perfect for a romantic dinner away from the hustle and bustle of the city. This restaurant over looks the beautiful gardens and has an oak tree encased in the middle as they built around this giant as if to honour it. The food is eclectic and light and is perfectly executed. The menu has local favourites and something for everyone. Make sure you try the Boland cheese souffle with gin sauce! You will never be the same again! 

The pride of the Mcgrath collection is the flagship restaurant, GreenHouse restaurant. Run by Executive Chef Peter Templehoff and Head Chef Ashley Moss. A sleek and modern restaurant on the property that will take you on a taste journey, unlike anything you have experienced before. He combines theatre and art into food with immaculate plating and wonderfully paired wine. The tasting menu at The Green House is one of my favourite local dining experiences and I can see why it has ranked top ten for the last eight years in the prestigious 'Eat Out Mercedes-Benz Restaurant awards' 

A wildly talented team that create the perfect bite, every. single. time. 

If you are in the mood for the ultimate relaxation then why not take a leisurely walk post lunch through the gardens at Cellars Hohenort and explore all the corners of the property before you make your way to the spa to get enveloped into the lap of ultimate luxury. 

What ever your needs the friendly and helpful staff will make sure they are filled. Cellars Hohenort is a wonderful establishment to host you all year round in ultimate comfort and sophistication and I for one, cannot wait to return. 

-Melissa