Luxury Africa Travel’s Blog

In the heart of the winelands lies a new gem, recently opened and yet to be discovered by the international travellers. Opened in August 2011, deHuguenot Estate is located between Stellenbosch and Franschhoek offering unspoilt mountain, valley and farmland views.
The original property dates back to 1893 and also hosts the oldest building in Pniel, previously built in 1820. The owners, Tom and Marianne Gray, renovated and refurbished the estate for the past six years and whilst keeping its historic charm, they turned it into a modern, elegant estate which offers an exclusive venue for weddings and functions for up to 120 guests as well as boutique style accommodation of four stylish suites which can be booked exclusively.

Upon arrival, the generously spaced foyer leads us straight to the restaurant where a nicely decorated table with breath-taking views onto the Groot Drakenstein mountains awaits us. The atmosphere of the restaurant is casually elegant, the fireplaces add a cosy atmosphere. We are being welcomed by Kristy and Philipp who are responsible for the restaurant operation.
We had read about Chef Tanja Kruger on the estate’s website and knew that she was not only a talented chef but also the winner of the Chaine de Rotisseurs Young Chef of the Year 2008. Being a member of the South African Culinary Olympic Team, she moved from Hunter’s Country House in Plettenberg Bay, having worked at Lanzerac, the Radisson Hotel and Five Flies before.
The service is friendly and professional, the choice on the menu is eclectic and creative. With our expectations rising by reading the description of the menu, we order our mains whilst absorbing the beauty of the natural surroundings through the glass windows in front of us and the elegant décor around us.
And we were not disappointed. Appealingly decorated, our food arrives and we realise that we are in for a treat – not only visually but also tastefully. Silently we enjoy our food, absorbing this culinary experience with all our senses. As if this would not have been enough, the Valrhona dark chocolate fondant as dessert adds a new highlight to the entire meal.
The trendy Harry Q pub, named after the last owner of the property, is located in the foundation of the original building and offers tapas and light dishes in a casual atmosphere.

After lunch, Marianne shows us the accommodation side of deHuguenot Estate. Four elegantly appointed suites have been spaciously designed with open bathrooms and decorated with restored, antique furniture. Marianne reveals that this is one of her hobbies and there is no doubt that she is very talented in creating beautiful spaces. There are no rigid check-in or check-out times and from small details such as electric blankets to the obligatory well-stocked minibar, everything had been thought of to make the guest’s stay as convenient as possible. “We do not do time”, Marianne explained, “just looking after”.
Tom and Marianne told us about the history of the estate, they even shared some images of how it looked like before they started changing it. Our respect grows from picture to picture, realising how much work, time and passion went into the project.
The estate lends itself as perfect wedding venue, the gardens are well manicured and the property offers great photographic backgrounds.

Busy finalising a few projects on the estate, deHuguenot Estate is already taking bookings for the upcoming high season as well as for weddings. We are convinced that it will quickly establish itself as a well-known insider tip in the winelands.
For bookings and more information, please contact us.

Franschhoek, South Africa, April, 2011 - Le Quartier Français has been included, for the 7th consecutive year (and 8th year overall), in the S.Pellegrino World’s 50 Best Restaurants.

This year saw the Tasting Room, the only South African restaurant included in the 2011 Top 50 Restaurants, placed no 36 overall. Two other South African restaurants -Rust-en Vrede and La Colombe - were recognized and included in the S.Pellegrino World’s Top 51-100 Best Restaurants rankings; reaffirming our belief that South Africa, as a food destination, continues to impress on a global scale. An extremely proud Susan Huxter, owner of Le Quartier Français, was delighted by her team’s success and aptly summed up what this achievement means:

“Seven consecutive years in the S.Pellegrino World’s 50 Best Restaurant rankings is an unbelievable accomplishment. An award like this is not something that just happens, it really highlights the fact that Margot Janse, her team and our front of house staff are constantly working on The Tasting Room experience; it shows that this is a culinary space that never stagnates. Every year phenomenal new restaurants enter the global market resulting in a level of competition that is intense, and the pressure to WOW with every bite is higher than it has ever been. Even with all this pressure Margot remains true to her love - South Africa - and her passion, food that delights but never at the expense of its childlike wonder.”

Le Quartier Français is a luxurious Relais & Châteaux country inn situated in the French Huguenot valley of Franschhoek, in the Cape Winelands, South Africa. The Auberge offers eleven en-suite Auberge Rooms, three Grande Rooms, two Petite Garden Suites and two deluxe Auberge Suites (with splash pools), which open onto a rose-filled central courtyard and swimming pool. And for the ultimate in luxury, there are four state-of-the-art suites, The Four Quarters, overlooking a private pool and sun-splashed deck.

For bookings at either the Tasting Room or Le Quartier Français, call +27 21 556 9437 or email us.

The much anticipated Royal Wedding is around the corner and you are invited whilst being in Cape Town to share in the excitement by viewing the nuptials of HRH Prince William of Wales, K.G. and Miss Catherine Middleton at the award-winning Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa.

To celebrate the day, you can enjoy a royal feast of ‘Tea by the Sea’, a delicious high tea with all the trimmings including scrumptious scones with clotted cream, smoked salmon sandwiches and chocolate éclairs, or toast the groom and his new princess with champagne and oysters from the comfort of the Leopard Bar with its panoramic views over the Atlantic Ocean, or the Conservatory with the Twelve Apostles Mountains sprawled beyond.

Big screen televisions will ensure you do not miss the much aniticipated big moment. Viewing starts at 11:00 am on Friday, 29 April until 3:00 pm. For R95 per person you can take part in this celebration whilst being here on holiday in South Africa. For bookings, email us or call +27 21 556 94 37.

'Tea by the Sea' to celebrate the Royal Wedding

Tintswalo Atlantic takes pleasure in announcing the arrival of their newly appointed Executive Chef – Johan Lamprecht. Having focused and developed a passion for seafood, Johan ensures every guest’s expectations are not only met but exceeded by capturing their tastes and preferences, guaranteeing that every meal suits each pallet.
Johan loves to experiment, thus one can enjoy various exciting dishes such as, a starter of Scallops Zucchini Ribbons, Dill and Saffron Butter, main courses like of Kingklip served with Olive Polenta and a roast butternut salad finished off with a Fennel Cream sauce and desserts of Caramelised Pineapple and Ginger Tart Tatin.

Johan Lamprecht - new Executive Chef at Tintswalo Atlantic

Tintswalo Atlantic is situated in one of the most stunning locations in South Africa. Positioned at the base of Chapman’s Peak, Tintswalo Atlantic overlooks the quaint fishing village of Hout Bay. With only 10 suites, personalised service and privacy are guaranteed. The lodge offers home-away-from-home comforts, discreet service and mouthwatering culinary creations.

Respecting its natural environment, the lodge was built without removing a tree nor a branch from the Milkwood trees that grace the shoreline.

We find Tintswalo Atlantic the perfect getaway for honeymooners and those who want to rediscover themselves in an almost spiritual environment with the ocean literally a stone’s throw away from the pebbled beach.

Read more about Tintswalo Atlantic and contact us for your booking enquiry.

Popular Gourmet Catering in the Cape Winelands

Stir is a true culinary leader who regularly caters for high profile events, as well as private fine dining. Their focus is on elegance and they only use the best quality ingredients sourced locally. Stir foods maintain a delicate balance between traditional excellence and the latest fashionable trends.

These culinary food artists constantly develop new recipes and dishes, adding to old favourites with innovation and flair. They believe that every event is unique and as such, consult with each client individually when compiling menus and decoration, taking into consideration personal preferences and needs.

The People behind Stir

The company is headed by Executive Chefs Piet Marais and Gustaaf Boshoff. Piet and Gustaaf have gravitated to an artistic and health conscious approach to food, always on the lookout for exceptional new experiences for themselves and their diners.

Together they bring an exceptional combination of international experience to the table. Having cooked professionally and travelled Europe, the United Kingdom, South East Asia, the Americas, Pacific Islands, Australasia, the Middle East and Southern Africa.  As you can imagine they have a great knack for fusion along with a vast repertoire of interesting flavour combinations  and recipes.

Sustainable living

Going green is not just a lifestyle trend; it’s a mode of sustainable living that is here to stay. As a contemporary catering company, Stir is inspired to take the lead in the industry by adopting an environmentally aware approach in how they run their business.

With the help of some innovative thinking, there are several ways in which Stir has gone green. Amongst them include supporting local suppliers and farmers, using more organic and free range products, recycling wastage and reducing electricity consumption. They are committed to creating a sustainable future and hope to inspire other companies to do the same.