Fancy a quick getaway during winter? We’ve selected a few fabulous weekend getaways, ideal for short escapes.
The Glenshiel Hotel, Magoebaskloof
Set high on the Drakensberg mountain range, and partly bordered by the Magoebaskloof forest, this is a four-star treasure.
Eleven Luxury Rooms and three Executive Suites provide the perfect refuge for any weekend traveller. And, with complimentary slippers and robes, romantic fireplaces and misty-mountain views featured throughout, you’ll never want to leave.
Each room has a king-sized bed, and the hotel boasts indoor- and outdoor dining areas with mountain- and forest views. The area surrounding Glenshiel provides the ideal setting for outdoor fun. Enjoy a forest drive and picnic at the Debengeni Waterfall (R10pp for entrance), or a daring canopy tour over the Letaba River gorge (R495pp). Visit glenshiel.co.za for rates and special offers.
Omega Luxury Mountain Retreat, Fouriesburg
This winter retreat offers luxurious seclusion, where you’ll be surrounded by the Maluti mountains.
The two self-catering cabins, Blue or Yellow, are ideal for couples wanting privacy, romance and relaxation. Each cabin has braai facilities, a fireplace, and a Jacuzzi on a covered deck, so you can kick back and relax.
The all-round windows allow for a superb show as you watch the sun rising while enjoying your breakfast, and setting while you unwind with a glass of wine in hand. If you feel like eating out on your getaway, pop down to the bustling village of Clarens, just a 10-minute drive away, where you can visit Clementine’s Restaurant (clementines.co.za). Try their speciality – confit duck with ginger-orange sauce.
See omegaclarens.co.za for details.
Mount Nelson, Cape Town
A night at the Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel, a historic, elegant jewel of the Western Cape at the foot of Table Mountain, promises to be sumptuous.
Chic, discreet and exclusive, the Mount Nelson has long been a favourite of VIPs. Each of the rooms is lavishly decorated, boasting comfy beds, beautiful marble bathrooms and impressive views of either the tranquil gardens or Table Mountain. Quirky shops hug the sidewalks of Kloof Street, just outside the Mount Nelson’s entrance, but the hotel’s amenities are such a treat, it’d be a shame to miss out on them.
A kids’ activities centre and teen lounge mean everyone is catered for, allowing you to nod off during a Luxury Signature Massage at the Belmond’s Librisia. Afterwards, take a seat at the fountain for an afternoon tea of finger sandwiches, and scones with clotted cream.
Drostdy Hotel, Graaff-Reinet
Founded in 1786, Graaff-Reinet is a historic landmark in the Eastern Cape, and the fourth-oldest town in the country. The town is encircled by the breathtaking Camdeboo National Park, where ancient rock formations stretch up to meet the sky.
After a grand refurbishment, the five-star Drostdy Hotel re-launched last year, having operated as a hotel, in various forms, since 1878. The original structure was built to serve as the town magistrate’s office, and its latest luxurious incarnation carries a great sense of respect for the building’s history.
Architects and archaeologists worked together, mingling original fixtures and flooring with new luxuries, like the Africology Spa and three swimming pools. Less than a 10-minute walk from the hotel, you’ll find Obesa Nursery – take in one of the world’s largest private collections of cacti, and browse or buy from the charming ceramic-pots gallery. Grab dinner at the hotel’s De Camdeboo Restaurant, where fynbos and local game are heroes on a swish menu.
See newmarkhotels.com/accommodation/hotels/drostdy-hotel for details.
