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.

The newly married Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have left the Seychelles following a 10 day honeymoon retreat on North Island.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Jean-Paul Adam, the CEO of the Seychelles Tourism Board (STB), Mr. Alain St Ange, and the Seychelles High Commissioner to Great Britain, Mr. Patrick Pillay, along with the British High Commissioner to Seychelles, Mr Matthew Forbes and his wife Lydia, were present to bid the Royal couple farewell yesterday afternoon at the Zil Air airport hangar.

“The people of Seychelles are truly honoured that Prince William and his wife chose to return to Seychelles for this special holiday and we are proud to have been able to offer them a peaceful and private getaway,” said the Minister,

“There has been much speculation as to the whereabouts of the couple, but we pride ourselves in being discreet and offering an unparalleled level of privacy, which is why we have refused to confirm the reports till now. We hope their stay was everything they had hoped for and we look forward to welcoming them back to our shores again in the future.”

Due to the media frenzy surrounding the Duke and Duchess, the Seychelles Coast Guard was on hand to assist the couple during their stay and ensure that they, along with the other guests of the island, were able to enjoy their holiday uninterrupted. During their last day, the Duke and Duchess took the time to invite the Coast Guard crew members to the island to personally thank them for their efforts.

The head of STB, Mr. St Ange said that this is the first time Seychelles has had this unprecedented level of attention but he was pleased that Seychelles had been able to offer them the level of seclusion they deserved for such an important occasion as their honeymoon.

“It was also pleasing to note that they left happy and clearly content with their stay,” added Mr. St Ange.

High Commissioner Pillay, who also attended the wedding ceremony in Westminster Abbey on the 29th April, said that: “In a world of so much turmoil they bring a welcome and much needed breathe of fresh air with their warmth and humility.”

Information with courtesy of the Seychelles Tourism Board.

Contact us to arrange your own royal honeymoon on North Island in Seychelles.

Romance on North Island, Seychelles