by Editor | Nov 1, 2007 | Africa, Cape Town, Simon and Baker Travel Review, South Africa
We arrived at The Tasting Room in the early evening courtesy of our hotel’s private transport following a pleasurable day exploring the village of Franschhoek. At our request, one of the staff escorted us on a brief walk around the pretty hotel grounds. Knowing we wouldn’t have to drive or find the way back to our hotel in the evening dark through the village’s unfamiliar streets should we choose to partake in the copious quantities of scrumptious sounding food and tempting local wines listed on the menu allowed us to relax and savor the meal.
by Editor | Nov 1, 2007 | Africa, Cape Town, Simon and Baker Travel Review, South Africa
We returned to the Steenberg Hotel after a two year absence to find the property much enhanced and the setting more beautiful than we remembered. Smiling staff members greeted us at the security gate and again at reception making us feel especially welcome. The grounds and manicured gardens were green and thriving and soon the cloudy skies turned to stunning blue. The mountain and vineyard setting once again took our breath away. This time we stayed at one of the property’s three new Heritage Suites set on a vineyard facing corner of the property, each with distinct décor.
by Editor | Nov 1, 2007 | Africa, Kruger, Sabi Sand, Simon and Baker Travel Review, South Africa
Selati Camp, one of four Sabi Sabi Reserve properties, was decorated with a nostalgic railroad theme. The Sabi Sabi Reserve was situated within the larger Sabi Sand Reserve, an unfenced Big Five private game reserve neighbouring the world famous Kruger National Park. The Sabi Sabi Reserve is home to open areas, woodlands, sloping hills, rivers and pans resulting in an environment with abundant game and excellent game viewing opportunities. In addition to the comfortable accommodations and quality game viewing we enjoyed during our visit, what made Selati stand out for me were two special in camp game viewing moments.
by Editor | Nov 1, 2007 | Africa, Cape Town, Simon and Baker Travel Review, South Africa
Location, location, location! Set on the hills overlooking the town of Franschhoek and the Klein Dassenberg Mountains, Mont Rochelle’s most notable asset is its precious setting. The Saturday we arrived, verdant hills peppered with vineyards were a stunning contrast against the perfect blue hues of the sky and puffy white clouds seemingly added by an artist brush.
by Editor | Nov 1, 2007 | Africa, Johannesburg, Simon and Baker Travel Review, South Africa
While I had been to Sandton City, one of Johannesburg better known upscale malls, many times in past visits to South Africa’s largest city, I had never visited The Michelangelo Towers, a condominium hotel building on the edge of the mall. The luxury building, our one of our last stops during a three week summer visit to South Africa, offered many advantages for first time and veteran visitors to the African metropolis. My favorite feature was the panoramic view of the city from our two bedroom apartment.
From 24 floors above the ground the city of Johannesburg looks particularly attractive and the floor to ceiling glass walls that spanned the entire living and dining areas and part of the master bedroom made the view that much more interesting. During the day, we could see parts of Nelson Mandela Square and the Sandton area as well as a hazy cityscape in the background. At night, we were surrounded by a sea of lights.
