Nights 1, 2 & 3: Cape Grace Cape Town, South Africa Set on its own private quay on Cape Town’s vibrant Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, the elegant Cape Grace couldn’t be a better home from which to explore this lovely city. When the original owners opened the hotel in 1996, their goal was to create an environment that makes guests feel like they are visiting the home of a good friend and that is just the atmosphere that you will find here. A member of the Leading Small Hotels of the World, The Cape Grace welcomes guests with unsurpassed hospitality and surrounds them with luxury. Each guestroom features carefully chosen fine furniture, luxurious fabrics and thoughtful amenities that make guests feel right at home such as French doors that open to views of either the yachts in the marina or Table Mountain, fresh flowers, a personal book selection, velour robes and slippers, fully stocked mini bar and mini deli snacks, tea and coffee making facilities, iron and ironing board, private room safe, select satellite TV channels and separate bath tubs and showers. Spend some leisure hours at the heated outdoor swimming pool overlooking the yacht marina, in the elegantly quiet library, or pampering yourself at The Spa. The sophisticated Onewaterfront Restaurant, with its views of Table Mountain and the yacht marina, serves classic South African cuisine with a decidedly modern twist. With Table Mountain as a backdrop, Café Bascule is a delightful place for a light lunch. By night, Bascule Whisky Bar and Wine Cellar is the place to enjoy a slice of the city’s social energy as you relax and sample one of the 460 fine whiskies of the world that it has in stock or a fine Cape wine from its collection.
Nights 4 & 5: Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge Sabi Sands Private Reserve, South Africa The Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge lies in the midst of the Sabi Sabi bushveld overlooking a watering hole and the African plain. During your stay, you’ll experience world-class amenities and warm hospitality. Each air-conditioned, thatched suite is comfortably furnished in keeping with the culture and tradition of the indigenous people of the area and courtyards are decorated with the woodcarvings of renowned South African artists. En suite facilities include a bathroom with shower, a lounge area, dressing room and private patio for wildlife viewing. The unfenced grounds are frequently visited by a variety of Africa’s creatures, including over 350 species of birds and outdoor wooden viewing decks provide rich opportunities to view the wildlife that calls this area home. A lovely outdoor swimming pool beckons between game drives or take advantage of the pampering services offered by the Bush Nature Spa.
Nights 6 & 7: Tinga Private Game Lodge Kruger National Park, South Africa The Tinga Private Game Lodge lies at the confluence of the Sabie and Sand Rivers, making it an ideal place from which to view the spectrum of the area’s wildlife. Exuding style, elegance and luxurious comfort, all guestrooms in the luxurious Narina and Legends Lodges feature en suite facilities, large outdoor showers, king-sized beds, overhead fans, under-floor heating, mini bar, direct-dial telephones, satellite TV and DVD players and all are fully air-conditioned. Private balconies offer magnificent views of the Sabie River and the African bush, with excellent opportunities for game viewing; the spa provides a range of pampering, rejuvenating treatments after a long day in the bush.
Nights 8 & 9: The Grace in Rosebank Johannesburg, South Africa Set in the heart of the stylish suburb of Rosebank, The Grace surrounds guests with personal, unobtrusive hospitality harkening back to an era when dedication to detail and gracious living were the standard. Each of the 73 generously sized guest rooms feature air conditioning, coffee- and tea-making facilities, in-room safe, mini bar, and bathrobes. The unique 4th-floor Garden Terrace and Pool Deck invites relaxation during leisure time while the Spa on the 5th floor offers indulgent experiences and the fully equipped gymnasium is available for guests’ use. Readers of Travel+Leisure consider The Grace in Rosebank one of the “world’s best hotels” and Condé Nast Traveler includes the hotel on its prestigious Gold List.
Nights 10 & 11: The Victoria Falls Hotel Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe Established in 1904 in Victoria Falls National Park, less than a 10-minute walk from the magnificent falls themselves via a private path, The Victoria Falls Hotel has welcomed crowned heads, heads of state, and celebrities for over 100 years. A member of the Leading Hotels of the World, this Edwardian gem is surrounded by lush gardens, lily ponds and swaying palms. The old-fashioned ambiance of the guestrooms mingles with modern facilities, while leisure options, such as tennis courts and an Edwardian swimming pool, overlook the famous Victoria Falls bridge. In the evening there is dining and dancing in The Livingston Room; the Jungle Junction features breakfast and dinner buffets with Makishi dancers and an indigenous choir entertaining most nights.