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In our summer issue, Victoria Leckie introduced us to Babymooning, a great concept! Keeping it local makes it more affordable to have a fabulous final fling before your
bundle of joy arrives, writes Corrina Everitt.
SA STYLEBabymooning...
Family Holiday & Leisure 2nd Quarter Edition 2015
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S o you’re counting down the weeks until the precious bundle of joy arrives. You’re filled with
equal measures of love, terror and anxiety … and worry … yup, a bit of that, too! Part of the worry is how you’re going to find time for each other once that bouncing baby arrives, never mind juggling the finances to accommodate all the expenses that come part and parcel with children. So, this is a great time to enjoy a final fling with just the two of you, and whether you want total, 5-star luxury, or something a little less pricey but nice and romantic, we bring you some suggestions on local babymoon escapes.
5-STAR LUXURY BREAKS
Prana Lodge Private Beach Estate and Spa – Eastern CapeSeven luxury suites, each with its own private garden, fantastic cuisine, an uninterrupted 21 km stretch of pristine
beach and a superb spa, Prana Lodge has absolutely everything you need for a romantic getaway. There are loads of nearby activities if you’re feeling energetic, including hiking, golf, surfing and bird-watching … but I’d send the not-pregnant partner off to do all that while the preggie fairy gets to enjoy some pampering in the spa! The Wild Coast boasts stunning beaches with exceptional views, perfect for taking leisurely walks and admiring the indigenous dune forests.
The current Honeymoon/Romance package costs R11 000 and includes three night’s accommodation per couple on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis; a beach picnic, a 60 minute couple’s Thai massage and a 30 minute couple’s reflexology
treatment, as well as other surprise treats. Call: +27 43 704 5100 Email: [email protected] Web: www.pranalodge.co.za
The Gorge Private Game Lodge & Spa – KwaZulu-NatalRegular readers of FH&L may recall that we featured this stunning lodge previously. It is a haven of peace and tranquillity just 32 km from Port Shepstone in the unspoiled Oribi Gorge. Luxury villas are built on the edge of the sandstone cliffs offering spectacular views. This owner-managed boutique lodge provides unsurpassed hospitality, world-class service and exquisite fine dining cuisine. The fully-equipped spa with its lavish treatment menu enables you to relax
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TOP: Chill on your private deck and watch the
magnificent ocean at Prana Lodge
RIGHT: Feel on top of the world at The Gorge
JOBURG • SANDTON • DURBAN CAPE TOWN • GEORGE
PORT ELIZABETH
Car Seats Travel Cots
High Chairs Baby Monitors
Joggers and much more...
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and rejuvenate. Daily game drives and other nearby activities mean that you can choose to do as much, or as little, as you’d like!
Rates start at R1 250 pp per night depending on room type and whether you go on a weekend or during the week. There is a mid-week, three-night package for R4 450 per person, which includes a one-hour Swedish massage. Breakfast is included in all the rates. Call: +27 39 687 4000 Email: [email protected] Web: www.thegorge.co.za
Birkenhead House Hotel – Hermanus, Western CapeIf it’s luxury and romance you’re after, then look no further than Birkenhead House. It’s pricey, yes, but it is oh so special. With its exhilarating cliff-top position overlooking the whale-watching paradise of Walker Bay, you can observe surfers carving a path through the waves, and for several months each year, witness Southern Right whales breaching just metres from the shore.
However, what lies within Birkenhead House is as breath-taking as what lies beyond. The hotel’s contemporary décor is an artful mix of classic beach house style and quirky opulence. While Birkenhead House is Hermanus luxury accommodation at its best, the hotel is characterised by a laidback and easy-going atmosphere. Following a relaxed breakfast at noon, take afternoon tea on your balcony, and gaze over the ocean at dusk over a cocktail or two (mocktail perhaps?) from the coolness of the infinity pool, which looks out to sea. Dinners are leisurely, the staff is friendly and knowledgeable, and the pace is comfortable. Rates start at R2 500 pp per night and include all meals.
Call: +27 28 314 8000 Email: [email protected] Web: www.birkenheadhouse.co.za
The Residence Boutique Hotel – Johannesburg, GautengA Tripadvisor Traveller’s Choice Award winner, this exclusive hotel located in the leafy suburb of Houghton, is a romantic escape with no travelling required for those living in the area. The Residence is an extraordinary boutique hotel that is truly one of a kind, and no effort has been spared in creating the most sublime surroundings. A warm, hospitable welcome awaits you at The Residence, which exudes a charming air of quiet dignity. This is a blissful oasis where guests are treated with personalised
ABOVE: Whale watch, walk or simply relax in the
luxury that is Birkenhead House at Hermanus
RIGHT: You won’t believe you’re in the middle
of the city at The Residence
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service and are invited to make themselves at home. The spa offers a wonderful menu of treatments and you will feel pampered and relaxed without leaving the city.Rates start at R2 820 per room per night. Call: +27 11 853 2480 Email: [email protected] Web: www.theresidence.co.za
AFFORDABLE ROMANTIC PAMPERING
Tonquani Lodge & Spa, Knysna, Garden RouteTonquani is a 5-star establishment, which offers guests peace, tranquillity and total relaxation, enabling you to focus on the important things in life. The comfort and luxury this beautiful resort has to offer are sublime. Each log chalet is individually decorated, with a private patio, and has air-conditioning for summer, with some chalets offering jacuzzi baths and fireplaces for winter escapes. The Tonquani Spa offers an exclusive & intimate experience, just perfect for romantic couples!Rates start at R1 090 per chalet per night (sleeps two).
Call: +27 44 382 3680 Email: [email protected] Web: www.tonquani.co.za
Celtic Manor Luxury Guesthouse & Wellness Spa – Gordon’s Bay, Western CapeA unique and luxurious boutique guest house, equipped with a wellness spa that offers a haven of peace and calm. Simple elegance, stylish furnishings and stunning ocean views combine to create the perfect retreat where relaxation happens naturally. The tranquil setting, lavish accommodation and breathtaking location with views over False Bay make Celtic Manor an excellent base for exploring the delights of this
quaint village and the Helderberg region.Rates start at R1 200 per room per night.Call: +27 21 856 1907 Email: [email protected] Web: www.celticmanor.co.za
Paternoster Dunes Boutique Guesthouse, West CoastCozy and stylishly elegant, Paternoster Dunes is ideal for guests seeking off- the-beaten-track comfort and luxury. The hotel features an intimacy lounge, small library and solar-heated pools. Located on the dunes with amazing sea views, you’ll be able to chill and be pampered in the spa at this romantic refuge. Rates start at R995 per person sharing.Call: +27 22 752 2217 Email: [email protected] Web: www.paternosterdunes.co.za
We are fortunate to live in a country of breathtaking natural beauty and an inherent culture of hospitality, so wherever you decide to go in South Africa, I’m confident that you will find just the right spot for your babymoon. Enjoy each other, and the anticipation of your big new adventure. Whether you want to be on the beach, in the mountains, in a game reserve or out in the middle of the Karoo, our SA world is your oyster … go and find your pearl!
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RIGHT: Celtic Manor offers you unparalleled
views of False Bay and affordable luxury
BELOW: West Coast bliss at Paternoster
Dunes ... just step out of the guesthouse and
onto the beach
