Kurland Hotel Opens a Sanctuary Signature Spa
BY ROSEMARY MAC KINNON 18 DEC, 2014 18:35
The 5 star Kurland Hotel, located near the striking beach resorts of Plettenberg Bay on the breathtaking Garden Route has introduced its new look spa, created by the Sanctuary Signature Spas Group, a leading expert in creating, managing and marketing 5-star Spas at award-winning hotels, lodges and wine estates across Africa.
The new look Spa includes a private steam room, sauna room, two therapy rooms, relaxation area, gym and a refreshing plunge pool and guests are also welcome to have their treatments in the privacy of their suite or at one of the many stunning locations throughout the Estate.
The Kurland Spa now offers !QMS and Moya health and beauty products as well as the renowned Morgan Taylor Lacquer for manicures and pedicures.
Alison Rightford, CEO, states “With the summer season upon us, it was the perfect time to present the spa to in-house guests and local residents in the Plettenberg area. The treatments we now offer at Kurland are the finest available in the health and wellness industry.”
The treatments, created for men and women, offer the perfect combination of ancient and modern techniques; taking inspiration from the world’s finest therapies, rituals and healing applications. This new spa complements the sister spa, the Sanctuary Signature Spa in Newlands, Cape Town, South Africa. The Sanctuary Signature Spa is open 7 days a week from 08:00 to 20:00.
Kurland Hotel Owner, Peter Behr, “It is a pleasure to be working alongside the renowned, Alison Rightford and Sanctuary Signature Spas and the new look spa now offers our guests yet another 5-star offering.”
THANDA Wins OSCARS Of The Travel Industry For The 6th Consecutive Time
BY REBECCA BAM 19 JAN, 2015 07:46
Thanda Private Game Reserve has once again been voted ‘The World's Leading Luxury Lodge’ by the World Travel Awards™. The 21st Annual World Travel Awards Grand Final Ceremony was held on the 7th December 2014 at CuisinArt Golf Resort & Spa in Anguilla. Voted for by travel and tourism professionals worldwide and described as the Oscars of the travel industry, this impressive accolade recognises the commitment to excellence, which Thanda has demonstrated in the past twelve months.
Accepting the award on behalf of Thanda, before an invited audience of the industry's leading luminaries and international media, was Hakan Ozakbas of The Leading Hotels of the World, New York Office.This past year has been particularly momentous for Thanda as the game reserve also celebrated its 10th Anniversary, ‘A Decade of Love’ (Thanda means love in isiZulu), that has resulted in many commendable achievements.
Over this period not only has Thanda evolved into a recognised world-class game reserve but it has also accomplished 10 years of exceptional guest service excellence in hospitality, delivering authentic safari experiences whilst connecting guests to the local communities through Zulu cultural and educational programmes. Thanda’s bush celebrities, most notably the lions and cheetahs, have thrilled guests with exceptional game sightings over the years, encouraging guests to return time and time again.
Thanda's wildlife conservation programmes have also led to the successful rehabilitation of one of South Africa's first and finest historical game reserves and protected areas.
Pierre Delvaux, Thanda's Managing Director: "Credit for this award must go to the dynamic team that helped to reinvent Thanda at the beginning of the year; from the marketing team that re-engineered our website and key theme of ‘Proudly Conservationist. Uniquely Zulu. Incomparably Thanda.’, to our hospitality team headed up by new management who, along with their team, always go the extra mile for guests to build memories through personalised experiences.
And of course our wildlife team too who are committed to offering something different, something not every guest can enjoy elsewhere by taking them off the beaten track to enjoy special wildlife moments. Thanda's commitment to its local community, to its predominantly Zulu staff and its support and advancement of Zulu culture as an expression of a nation, coupled to its many conservation and wildlife preservation programmes and partnerships, serves to reaffirm our deep love and commitment to Zululand, its people and its wilderness. Winning this award for the 6th consecutive time makes us all appreciate what we do and we trust that guests will continue to return to Thanda, to enjoy our hospitality, to test our standards and help us to constantly improve."
Kwande Ecca Lodge Reopens
BY LUCINDA LACON 4 FEB, 2015 13:06
Kwandwe Ecca Lodge reopened following a full refurbishment of its 6 stand-alone suites and main guest areas. The lodge’s new décor takes its influence from, and celebrates, the vibrant colours of the African people.
The well-proportioned rooms each feature a different base colour with patterns and colours layered over and comprise spacious bedrooms, lounges and large bathrooms with new free-standing baths to offer a colourful respite from dusty days out on the reserve. Super-King sized beds, ottomans and day beds that can be reconfigured to easily accommodate children along with funky bean bags provide a fun, relaxing and sumptuous environment that is more conducive to the way we take time-out to enjoy our downtime in the world today.
Whilst retaining its easy going contemporary vibe, the layers of luxury and comfort Kwandwe has become known for can now be enjoyed in abundance here too. Many Southern African items have been incorporated into the interiors. Blankets made from South African mohair, acknowledged to be of the finest quality available internationally, come from the Angora goat that thrives in the Karoo region; cotton and linen throws were weaved by a boutique mill in Plettenberg Bay; framed prints of wild African animals designed by an artist who donates to the Rhino Orphanage charity; Nguni Skins come from KwaZulu Natal; beaded kudu heads and giraffes were bought from the market traders during the nearby Grahamstown National Arts Festival; display baskets and beaded necklaces were sourced from a collaboration of individual artisans and community based projects.
All guests staying at Kwandwe enjoy a wide selection of exciting safari activities assuring no two days are the same. This includes game drives and bush walks as well as picnic lunches and dinners alfresco, sundowners on the dam's pontoon and boat excursions. Appealing to those who seek a classic safari adventure exploring the wilds of the African bush but who also savour an element of distinction from their lodge’s interiors, Ecca Lodge combines both naturally.
Leading Edge Lodge To Open High Above Kenya’s Mara Triangle
BY LUCINDA LACON 2 FEB, 2015 12:37
Kenya’s newest and most ambitious lodge will open in June 2015. Taken from the Swahili word for ‘suspended in mid air’, Angama Mara rests on the rim of the Oloololo Escarpment, which forms part of Africa’s Great Rift Valley, with magnificent views expanding over the Maasai Mara’s acclaimed Mara Triangle Game Reserve.
A dream come true for Steve and Nicky Fitzgerald who first visited the site nearly 15 years ago, the lodge is also situated where the romantic ‘Ngong Hills’ scenes were filmed in Out of Africa. Inspiration for Angama Mara has continued to be drawn from this classic safari era – one of romance, canvas and elegant simplicity – with modern influences bringing in a high design to the tented suites and an architectural drama to the guests areas.
The two totally separate and intimate camps, each of just 15 tented guest suites, have been designed by architects Silvio Rech and Lesley Carstens of Ngorongoro Crater Lodge, North Island and Mombo fame. Floating 300 meters above the Mara, each tented suite hangs onto the edge of the escarpment offering 180-degree views from the 11m glass-fronted floor-to-celling windows. A new and beautifully proportioned version of the classic safari tent, they each have a light footprint and a detailing that has been kept purposefully minimal allowing for the uninterrupted views to play the dominant role. With every touch-point of the guest experience lovingly considered throughout the design process, even the decks have been dropped down so as not to obstruct the views.
Annemarie Meintjes, the peerless African stylista, has tackled the lodge’s interiors with a fresh, uncluttered and often humourous approach focusing on quality and design. Demonstrating this, she describes the lodge’s Egyptian cotton bed sheets: “We took them home, felt what it was like to sleep in them, changed the colours, and changed the seams to ensure they were perfect”. Lead-skirted baths have been purposefully made, outdoor furniture sourced from France, bedroom furniture from Cape Town’s renowned designer John Vogel, light fittings from England and the rest handcrafted by the furniture makers of Nairobi. Pioneer furniture found throughout the lodge has been designed in a modern idiom for its ability to be stacked and packed up, as Denys Finch Hatton might have done all those years ago.
The game viewing in the Mara Triangle is considered among the most outstanding in Africa. Indeed, guests will descend a private track directly from the lodge and 10 minutes later find themselves surrounded by great herds of Africa’s mammals. Every day will be tailored around what they dream to experience. They may choose game drives that last a morning or the whole day, follow animal trails on foot along the escarpment with a Maasai guide, look back at the lodge early one morning from a hot air balloon or visit a manyatta in a neighbouring community.
Guests who long for a day to just be may quietly observe animals roam from high above and raptors ride the thermals right from their tent’s deck. They will be able to go for a run in the fitness room, cool off in the pool and relax with a massage in their tent. They may choose breakfast on their private deck, a picnic lunch in the far reaches of the Reserve, a romantic sundowner on a blanket on the ‘Out of Africa’ kopje and a barbeque dinner around the fire pit. With a no-set-schedule rule Angama Mara’s guests will be discretely taken care of by 140 staff, all of whom are Kenyan, from the lodge manager down.
South Africa’s First Open Access Arrivals Lounge
BY GWEN BOSMAN 3 FEB, 2015 15:37
OR Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg will soon be home to the first arrivals lounge in South Africa that is open to all travellers, regardless of airline or travel class.
Famed for its award-winning departure lounges at airports throughout the world, Menzies Aviation, whose VIP Shongololo departure lounge was recently voted the best lounge in the Africa/Middle East region, is the first private operator in the country to introduce an arrivals lounge.
The creation of the Sesfikile Premium Arrivals Lounge at OR Tambo, which opens in April, comes after Menzies identified the need of international and business travellers to not only depart in style, but also to be able to freshen up and relax before the next leg of their journey or for business meetings after tiring flights.
“Although arrivals lounges are a regular feature at many international airports, particularly in Europe and the USA, most South Africans and foreigners visiting the country have not yet had the chance to incorporate them into their itineraries. We believe the Sesfikile Lounge will rapidly become a popular destination at OR Tambo,” says Giles Wilson, Menzies Senior Vice President for Africa, the Middle East and India.
Wilson says arrivals lounges are of particular benefit to long-haul business passengers, especially those from Europe, who need to do business on the same day as their arrival in the country.
“It provides a vitally important opportunity to catch up on business and freshen up prior to important meetings. Most long-haul flights arrive in the morning. To save valuable business time and work around late morning check-ins offered by most hotels, arrivals lounges have become a convenient option.”
In the past, passengers had to make do with public restroom facilities and check their emails at noisy airport coffee shops, but the arrivals lounge will now enable them to freshen up in style and enjoy drinks and eats as well as complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi.
The tranquil and elegant private shower and bathroom facilities, which will be serviced after each use, will further invigorate even the weariest traveller before they head on to their next destination, says Wilson.
The Sesfikile Lounge will be situated adjacent to the South African Airways Arrivals Lounge at OR Tambo. In addition to passengers who will be able to access it as part of their airline partners’ services, the Sesfikile Premium Arrivals Lounge will also be open to walk-in travellers.
“We intend to raise the bar in terms of the offering at arrivals lounges as we have done with Menzies’ departure lounges, which are renowned and recognised for their luxury throughout the world. And as always, the real Menzies difference will be the superior quality of our service, which will ensure customer satisfaction owing to our fierce commitment to the highest standards,” Wilson says.
INDABA 2015: More Than 400 Exhibitors Already Registered
BY KRISTIE OMAR 14 FEB, 2015 10:24
Over 400 travel and tourism products and services have applied to exhibit at Africa’s biggest and best established travel tradeshow. They include the widest variety and depth of African travel products from both the private and public sectors of the industry, which is why Indaba celebrates the exhibitors as the show’s core differentiator.
Among the companies that have already confirmed their exhibiting space at INDABA are: andBeyond; Fair Trade Tourism; the Tanzania Tourist Board; The Blue Train; Tourism KZN; Hilton Worldwide; MalaMala Game Reserve; Cape Town Tourism; Tsogo Sun and British Airways (operated by Comair).
Nomad Africa Magazine welcomes each INDABA 2015 exhibitor. Indaba is nothing without the passion, commitment and professionalism of every single one of its exhibitors. Their warm and welcoming spirit literally forms the heart and soul of the show, and as a team are solely responsible for driving Africa’s tourism industry forward.Indaba is nothing without the passion, commitment and professionalism of every single one of its exhibitors.
INDABA takes place at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre, from May 9 to 11 2015.
For more information on INDABA 2015, go to www.indaba-southafrica.co.za/
Africa’s Business Events Industry Gathers to Celebrate Ten Successful Years of Meetings Africa
BY BRUCE GERMAINE 25 FEB, 2015 01:49
Stakeholders, exhibitors and supporters of Africa’s business events industry gathered at the Sandton Convention Centre last night (24 February 2015) to celebrate ten years of Africa’s premier business events exhibition, Meetings Africa.
The gala dinner, hosted at the end of a successful first day of the show, provided an opportunity for the business events industry to celebrate the ten year milestone, the achievements of the African business events industry as a whole over the last decade and look ahead to the next ten years of Meeting Africa.
The South African Minister of Tourism, Mr. Derek Hanekom, used the opportunity to thank the Meetings Africa partners and stakeholders for their warm welcome and the valuable support they provide to a tradeshow which has grown from strength to strength over the last decade to become the best and most accessible pan-African business events platform.
“Aptly, our theme is: Advancing Africa Together. Collective effort is the way to go – in fact, it is essential if we all wish to continue on this robust growth path,” explained the Minister.
Mr. Hanekom said that South Africa is “bullish about the future” of the business events industry.
South Africa has already secured 177 major international association meetings for the next five years. These meetings will have an estimated economic impact of R3.5 billion and will bring about 253 000 delegates to South Africa.
However, as Mr. Hanekom pointed out, the legacy impact of business events extends far beyond its numbers value. “Business events and conventions are arteries for innovation and new thinking in the knowledge economy. This is where the best minds connect, where competitiveness in the global market place is redefined, and where we create platforms to collaboratively solve common global problems,” he explained.
Since the first Meetings Africa in 2005, South Africa has seen significant investment in its business events infrastructure including the opening and expansion of a number of convention centres.
It has also seen the establishment in 2012 of the South African National Convention Bureau (SANCB) to coordinate the country’s efforts in attracting more business events to South Africa.
Tintswalo Atlantic to be Rebuilt
BY KRISTIE OMAR 8 MAR, 2015 21:09
Tintswalo Lodges Group has plans to rebuild its Tintswalo Atlantic Lodge after fires in the Cape Peninsula destroyed it. The lodge is expected to reopen and due to public interest, Tintswalo will document the rebuild, which can be followed on its Tintswalo Atlantic rebuild blog.
Gaye Corbett, Tintswalo Lodges Group Owner, will be contributing to the contents of the blog, giving a personal account of what is happening on the ground. “We estimate that the reconstruction process will take several months but we are positive that we will work together to bring Tintswalo Atlantic back to the shores of Chapman’s Peak,” the group said. Staff will remain employed and will be assisting in the rebuilding of the property.
An office has been set up in Hout Bay as their central hub for the next months. “Staff will be involved in the Hout Bay community by initiating and running several community projects for the duration of the rebuild. We plan to take this as an opportunity to not only reconstruct our site but to help build up our local community, who have generously given back to us over these past few difficult days,” the group said. Training will also be made available to staff at other Tintswalo lodges should they want to work at a different property.
“We would like to express our sincere gratitude to all the fire-fighters, Volunteer Wildlife Services, NSRI and those still out there fighting against this destructive force of nature. You are our real-life heroes,” the group added. “We’d also like to take this time to thank the Cape Town properties that have accommodated our Tintswalo Atlantic guests at such short notice. Hotel owners, managers and staff have pulled together to honour our terms and conditions in order to make this transition smooth and we are incredibly grateful.”
