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Cape Town

The Cape Peninsula is home to the modern, cosmopolitan city of Cape Town, surrounded by natural wonders like Table Mountain and the absolutely unique Fynbos floral kingdom – a floral kingdom so diverse that the number of species on Table Mountain alone outnumbers the species of the entire United Kingdom!

A fantastic place to experience the wonder of Cape Flora is at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens which is world renowned for its beauty and diversity. Close to the gardens you will find the 5-star Andros Boutique Hotel, one of Cape Town’s gracious grande-dames. This elegant Cape Dutch homestead is set in the heart of Claremont, one of Cape Town’s most prestigious suburbs.

A visit to Cape Town would not be complete without a visit to the V&A Waterfront, the first entry point for early settlers to our shores.

The harbour once housed a prison which is today home to the 3-star Protea Hotel Breakwater Lodge, one of the many luxurious Protea Western Cape hotels, and a dramatic reminder of penal attitudes which dates back to the 19th century. Today the V&A Waterfront is a myriad of shops and restaurants and serves as an entry point to Robben Island. When you think of Cape Town the thought of Table Mountain should inevitably spring to mind. This serene landmark graces the balconies of many of Protea’s fine Cape Town hotels including the newly created 3-star Protea Hotel Fire and Ice! This avant-garde city hotel boasts its own climbing wall as well as a wrap around swimming pool and is quickly establishing itself as a popular nightspot.

Another city hotel making its mark is the 4-star Protea Hotel North Wharf, which is located within the CBD. The views from the Penthouse suite are mind-blowing!

The peninsula has been drawing visitors to the Cape for as long as there has been somewhere to stay. Breathtaking beaches, awe-inspiring scenery and an incredible variety of restaurants and entertainment venues make the peninsula a sought after destination for travellers. Never before has this been as relevant as today, with no fewer than five luxury Protea Hotels gracing the shoreline.

The 4-star Protea Hotel Victoria Junction, with its vibrant atmosphere and cutting edge design, the 3-star Protea Hotel Sea Point which is an inspirational blend of South African art and contemporary elegance while the 3-star Protea Hotel Cape Castle and the 3-star Protea Hotel Riviera are both within easy walking distance of some of Cape Town’s most exciting restaurants, pubs and shops. Undoubtedly, the pearl of the peninsula is the 4-star Protea Hotel President in Bantry Bay. This exclusive Western Cape hotel offers quiet elegance and unrivalled luxury in accommodation encompassing some of Cape Town’s finest views.

When not visiting famous Clifton Beach, the Cape Town CBD or the sensational V&A Waterfront nearby, guests can relax next to the hotel’s large swimming pool or step into the hairdressing salon, or curio shop conveniently located on the premises.

Northern Suburbs

The northern suburbs of Cape Town have a charm of their own and should by no means be ignored by travellers visiting this diverse province. For this reason Protea Hotels has three offerings in the Northern suburbs. On its hillside location, the 3-star Protea Hotel Tygervalley offers unparalleled scenic views of Table Mountain as well as magnificent views of the city at night. Two of these hotels are located near Canal Walk, the largest shopping mall in the Southern Hemisphere.

These are the 4-star Protea Hotel Island Club and the newly built 4-star Protea Hotel Colosseum which not only encompasses luxury accommodation but also restaurants and upmarket shops and cafes. Further inland, a stone’s throw from the peninsula, you’ll find the picturesque towns of Paarl and Stellenbosch and their world class, centuries-old vineyards.

If you’re looking for a Western Cape beach hotel with the blue sea in front and a beautiful wetland vlei behind, the 4-star Protea Hotel Dolphin Beach in Table View offers the serene atmosphere of an exclusive resort with the luxury only a Protea hotel can provide. Table View is a popular surfing and wind boarding spot, and the nearby town of Melkbos is known as an adventure sport hub.

The Winelands

The Cape Wine Route is world renowned for its historic estates which produce fine wines which are exported throughout the world. The 4-star Protea Hotel Dorpshuis is an elegant Victorian Boutique Hotel in the heart of the Winelands in historic Stellenbosch. This Victorian town and country hotel is surrounded by vineyards and beautiful mountains.

This special location is one of the most sought after holiday venues in the Western Cape and in South Africa. Another popular Protea Hotel in this historic town is the 3-star Protea Hotel Stellenbosch, which is flanked by two international golf courses.

Further along the Winelands you will find the picturesque town of Franschhoek, known as the gourmet capital of the Western Cape. Characterised by ancient Cape Dutch wine estates and haute cuisine this town is a must for those visitors eager to sample the culinary delights found in this charming town. The 4-star Protea Hotel Franschhoek overlooks the majestic mountains and famous vineyards of this historical village. Dating back to the 1880′s, this Protea Hotel is the perfect base from which to explore one of South Africa’s leading culinary and wine-tasting destinations.

Worcester is situated one hour’s drive from Cape Town. This quaint town is in the centre of the Breede River Valley, amongst the Brandwacht, Overhex and Langeberg Mountains. The main hub of activity in Worcester is wine farming and wine tasting. The district is the largest wine producing area in the country, with 27 wine cellars and 2 brandy cellars on the Worcester Wine Route. Explore this charming Boland town from the 3-star Protea Hotel Cumberland, in the heart of the Breede River Valley. Traditional home-style hospitality await world weary travellers in this graceful hotel, which offers winning dining and elegant service. Travel along the West Coast of the Western Cape and you will find a land dotted by charming fishing villages and delightful beaches.

The Karoo

The Karoo regions hum with the glow of the African desert and hold quite a few surprises for travellers seeking places of interest. The area has a rich cultural heritage and many quaint towns dot the landscape, many as interesting and unique as their names.

On the shimmering horizon ancient rock formations loom, with the mighty Cango Caves just outside the ostrich-farming town of Oudtshoorn waiting to be explored. Situated just on the outskirts of Oudtshoorn, the 3-star Protea Hotel Riempie Estate is a charming hotel with well-appointed thatched rondavels in a picture-perfect farm setting. The 5-star Rosenhof Country House is another gem of the Karoo. This carefully renovated homestead, built in 1852, with its yellowwood beams and ceilings and a tasteful collection of antique furniture, exudes an aura of authenticity. The lovely rose garden, which gave Rosenhof its name, leads to stylishly decorated bedrooms, each individually furnished with tranquil views of the Swartberg Mountain.

The Garden Route

The Garden Route, on the Indian Ocean, has rainforests of towering trees found nowhere else on earth, and a rugged shoreline of unspoilt sandy beaches and world class holiday destinations like Knysna. Knysna is a popular holiday destination situated in the Outeniqua Mountains, surrounded by lush green forests, and a peaceful estuary. Undoubtedly, Knysna’s most famous attraction is the lagoon where you can take a ferry to the Featherbed Nature Reserve, a private nature reserve, which is home to the beautiful Knysna Loerie. Knysna is equally famous for its tasty oysters which can be sampled straight from the farm or at many of the delightful Waterfront bistros. Two giant sandstone cliffs (known as The Heads) guard the mouth of this lagoon, which links the estuary to the sea. There is a lookout point in the nature reserve which offers panoramic views of the heads, as well as the crashing waves below. Other wildlife found on the reserve includes the Cape mountain tortoise, blue crane (South Africa’s national bird), rare black African oyster catcher, white-breasted cormorant and bushbuck. Overlooking the magnificent Knysna Lagoon and just footsteps from the Knysna Waterfront, the 4-star Protea Hotel Knysna Quays, is the ideal base from which to discover this beautiful Garden Route town.

George lies in the heart of the Garden Route at the foot of the Outeniqua Mountains. The town has some of the country’s most beautiful scenery which can be enjoyed in the comfort of the Outeniqua Choo Tjoe, a beautifully restored steam locomotive. From its windows you will be able to see the rolling, forested hills that surround the town, the serene lakes and the delicate ferns that carpet the land. What better way to enjoy this beautiful town, than from the elegant interiors of the 3-star Protea Hotel Outeniqua, nestled just minutes from the indigenous forests, majestic mountains and sparkling coastlines for which the Garden Route is renowned.

George has a host of world-class golf courses, including the famous Fancourt Golf Estate, which hosted the 2003 President’s Cup tournament. The Estate has two eighteen-hole courses designed by Gary Player as well as a Links course unrivalled on the continent. No visit to George however, would be complete without a stay at the The Western Cape Garden Route Hotel, now the 4-star Protea Hotel King George, renowned for old-fashioned attention to detail and sterling service. This elegant retreat which overlooks the famous George Golf Course is a golf enthusiast’s dream.

Appreciated for its beautiful indigenous forests, striking lagoons and golden beaches that continue into the horizon, the stunning town of Wilderness has gained a reputation as being South Africa’s Eden. Mossel Bay is a picturesque town in the Garden Route bordered by beautiful beaches. It’s an excellent spot for whale watching and other eco-tourism activities, like boat trips and shark cage diving. It was here that Portuguese explorer Bartholomeu Diaz arrived on the third of February in 1488. The Dias Museum Complex marks the spot of the historical landing of Dias and also contains the famous Post Office Tree. Forming part of the Dias Museum Complex, the luxurious 3-star Protea Hotel Mossel Bay, with parts built in 1846, is a graceful historical landmark overlooking Santos Bay and harbour.

Situated on a 3000ha game farm, between Mossel Bay and George, the malaria-free 4-star Protea Hotel Botlierskop Private Game Reserve offers a great diversity of wildlife and activities for the whole family. The luxurious, tented accommodation is set in private suites along the river with a spectacular mountain backdrop. Activities at Botlierskop include luxury 4×4 game drives, rugged nature walks through mountainous terrain, as well as elephant back rides and horseback safaris.

Plettenberg Bay is situated at the south of the country bordering the Eastern Cape. It’s a highly sought-after and popular holiday destination. The weather is an extremely pleasant Mediterranean maritime climate: the summers are hot and sunny, while the winters are mild and wet. The rainfall in the area is high, creating beautiful green scenery to the bay. Plet, as it’s known affectionately among South Africans, has a lot of lush vegetation, with the Outeniqua and Tsitsikama Mountains containing fifteen private and public nature reserves.

The Tsitsikama National Park is one of these. The reserves contain Cape Flora, wetlands, lagoons and forests, with beautiful trails for hiking, mountain biking and horse riding. Every spring, Plettenberg Bay awaits the Southern Right Whale, which comes to this beautiful coast to calve. You can frequently see this majestic creature in the local waters during the season. Lying on the banks of the Keurbooms River in an indigenous garden setting, the 3-star Protea Hotel Keurbooms River is a relaxing playground for the weary city dweller. Situated just outside of Plettenberg Bay in the Garden Route, this comfortable Protea Hotel is the perfect base from which to discover the local attractions and surrounding beauty.

The West Coast

Sleepy seaside towns abound, with local markets specialising in shell curios and freshly caught fish. One of the most pleasant of these towns is Saldanha Bay, characterised by whitewashed cottages, colourful fishing boats and endless coastline. From its stunning waterfront location, the 3-star Protea Hotel Saldanha Bay offers magnificent views as well as luxury accommodation. With its own slipway and jetty, the hotel is a haven for fishing and water sport enthusiasts. Discover quaint fishing villages, abundant bird life, wild flowers, the seafood route and the magnificent Langebaan lagoon. Travelling back towards Cape Town we come full circle as Table Mountain begins to reach out from behind the sun dappled Atlantic ocean.