Departures United Kingdom Spring 2015

THE A-Z COMPENDIUM

THE A-Z COMPENDIUM OUTHERN COMFORTS A shortlist of the latest in enticing accommodations to best experience South Africa’s majesty In 2013, travel contributed more than billion to South Africa’s economy – an unsurprising figure considering the geographical diversity of the country, from picturesque beaches and mountains to vineyards, deserts and bush, as well as the wide range of attractive hideaways in which to stay. Top-notch international hotels are joined by palatial private villas, romantic safari camps and charming family-owned boutique accommodations, all serving fine Cape wines and locally sourced food. The dip of the rand on the currency market currently means the country is inexpensive to visit – another good reason to go now. ♦ 3 26 SUNSET AVENUE Llandudno is one of Cape Town’s most picturesque beaches: crescent-shaped, dotted with giant boulders and framed by mountains. Sunset Avenue is just 130 metres above it: a sexy six-bedroomed ultramodern villa, designed by architect Johann Slee, with an 80sq m deck and heated swimming pool, as well as a home-theatre system and steam room. As its name suggests, the dusk views are spectacular. 26sunsetavenue.com 1 RHODES COTTAGE Once Cecil Rhodes’s country home, this original thatched Cape Dutch house, designed by eminent architect Sir Herbert Baker, is now available as a private villa, sleeping 12. While the interior features handsome antiques and tasteful Dominic Touwen decor, its surroundings are the real draw: 2,000 rolling hectares just outside Franschhoek, with orchards, vineyards and a trout-filled lake, as well as a historic manor house and new restaurant to explore. boschendal.com 2 THE SAXON VILLA If this new villa had been around when Nelson Mandela wrote his biography at the Johannesburg hotel, it is undoubtedly the space in which he would have stayed. The 1,000 sq m space, overlooking the 4ha garden, is presidential in style, with seven en suite bedrooms, a dining table seating 18, and its own pool, staff and chef. Unlike the hotel, which has homely, colonial interiors, the villa is decorated with pale marble, contemporary furnishings and modern African art. saxon.co.za 4 DROSTDY HOTEL Graaff-Reinet is not on many itineraries, but it should be. The town, dating from 1786, contains more than 200 elegant historic buildings and borders the Camdeboo National Park, popular with hikers and bikers. At the town’s heart is Drostdy Hotel, whose 1805 interiors have just been refurbished by renowned designer Stephen Falcke to create 48 eclectic rooms, living areas dotted with Cape Dutch antiques and a restaurant featuring such Karoo specialities as herb-fed lamb. newmarkhotels.com 5 THE WESTCLIFF Four Seasons has invested more than million to turn this colonial-style building in Johannesburg into its first African city hotel. The Westcliff’s greatest asset is its location: on a leafy hillside between Sandton’s chic shops and the gritty city centre. As well as 117 elegant new suites, the hotel now has five restaurants – two with spectacular views – and a spa, lap pool and fitness centre. fourseasons.com/johannesburg CLOCKWISE FROM TOP RIGHT: © 26 SUNSET AVENUE, © DROSTDY HOTEL, RICHARD WAITE, © SAXON, © BOSCHENDAL 36 DEPARTURES-INTERNATIONAL.COM CONTACT PLATINUM CARD SERVICE FOR BOOKINGS

Chaval makes the world’s most sophisticated electric heated gloves. A few hours’ charging keeps hands warm all day, and their intelligence stops hands from getting too hot and wasting power. chavalusa.com 6 ELLERMAN HOUSE This former private mansion is well known for its elegant Edwardian interiors and considerable art collection. The extension of two slick villas and an architectural cuttingedge wine gallery, though, have injected some 21st-century style. The latter features a wall built from the terroir of 100 vineyards, a 3.2m-high spiral-shaped Brian Steinhobel installation, and the country’s only Dom Pérignon bar. ellerman.co.za No need for adventurers to lug around a satellite phone; Thuraya’s SatSleeve turns a tame iPhone or Android into a wild, if chubby communication centre which works across 161 countries. thuraya.com ech Talk This collection of just-released gadgets ensure safety, connectivity and comfort in the wildest reaches Want to keep track of the match scores while you’re up a mountain? Soulra’s Etón Scorpion is super-tough, will charge from built-in solar panels – and, naturally, doubles as a torch. soulracorp.com FROM TOP LEFT: © ELLERMAN HOUSE, DOOK; PRODUCTS: COURTESY MANUFACTURERS 7 TARKUNI The Oppenheimers’ former bush home is on the 100,000ha Tswalu, the country’s largest private game reserve, on which only 30 guests can stay. Each of the thatched double-storey’s five tasteful suites opens onto a verandah with desert views, a rattan “nest” and a star bed. Daytime adventures include dune picnics, desert horse riding, walking with meerkats, searching for ancient arrowheads – and, of course, traditional safaris. tswalu.com Zagg’s Rugged Book turns an ordinary iPad or iPad Mini into a superlight laptop that will slip into a backpack – but also shrug off being dropped or thrown around. zagg.com Those new to the wild will discover there are no power plugs out there. No worries – Powertraveller’s Powermonkey Expedition uses sun, wind and running water to keep you powered up. powertraveller.com DEPARTURES-INTERNATIONAL.COM 37