These three destinations offer the ultimate in culinary and accommodation indulgences, merging the enjoyment of a fine meal with top notch suites.
Summerhill Guest Estate | Durban
Images: Summerhill Guest Estate & The LivingRoom: Jono Nienaber Photography
Home of The LivingRoom, the Eat Out Woolworths Restaurant of the Year 2022 and recipient of the Eat Out Woolworths Sustainability Award 2023, Summerhill Guest Estate offers a sanctuary of peace and serenity, tucked away in the quiet suburb of Cowies Hill, Durban.
The award-winning restaurant, sees Chef Johannes Richter and team deliver a spectacular gastronomic experience, telling the story of KwaZulu Natal’s culinary diversity through the chef’s modern thinking meets classic techniques and passion for ancient fermentation processes.
When it comes to accommodation, the estate boasts spacious and elegant en-suite bedrooms together with lush green, park-like gardens, creating a reinvigorating environment to unwind and relax. Each room has been uniquely decorated and is named after a South African Jazz musician, who has played and stayed at Summerhill Guest Estate.
The Estate is well-positioned between the Drakensberg, the coast and Hluhluwe National Park, in Cowies Hill. It’s the perfect place to stop-over for those travelling down to the coast, or even just looking for an escape from the bustle of the city.
Vergenoegd Löw | Stellenbosch
Images: Clara’s Barn and Vergenoegd Löw
On one of the oldest working farms in the Cape, Vergenoegd Löw is the ideal spot for fine food, great wine and stunning accommodation – away from the city.
The estate is home to Bertus Basson’s Clara’s Barn – housed within the oldest barn in the Western Cape – it is a beautiful restaurant which draws its inspiration from traditional farm kitchens. The classic cuisine here elevated to new heights where it is served up through a five-course menu, featuring indigenous, local produce, traditional recipes and favourite South African favourites.
The estate also boasts a beautiful wine tasting room where Vergenoegd’s fine wines are available for tasting, along with a host of indigenous foods to pair with it, including the likes of biltong, bokkom and fynbos.
Turn in for the night to one of the four contemporary Vineyard Suites – which stand a short distance from the historic homestead and boast floor-to-ceiling windows with magnificent mountain and vineyard views. Modern, stylish and comfortable, the suites are a gorgeous sanctuary amongst the vines.
Tintswalo Atlantic | Cape Town
Images: Chefs Warehouse Tintswalo Atlantic, and Tintswalo Atlantic
Nestled along the picturesque coastline of Cape Town, lies Tintswalo Atlantic, a breathtaking property that epitomises the ultimate in luxury and tranquility. Overlooking the azure waters of the Atlantic Ocean and set against the backdrop of the majestic Twelve Apostles mountain range, Tintswalo Atlantic is a haven for those seeking an unforgettable escape.
Here, on the water’s edge is where you find the culinary gem which is Chefs Warehouse Tintswalo. Chef Cameron Smith, under the guidance of celebrated chef Liam Tomlin, and his dedicated kitchen brigade are passionate about showcasing the coastal bounty through their culinary creations. With meticulous care, they source the freshest and most diverse natural products of the Cape, forging partnerships with local growers of unusual and heirloom herbs and vegetables, and ethical fishmongers – who supply sustainably caught fish straight from the ocean waters. In addition, they use plenty coastal plants which are foraged right on the property.
The hotel offers luxurious accommodation in elegantly appointed suites overlooking the ocean. Each room is meticulously designed to provide the ultimate in comfort and relaxation, with sumptuous furnishings, plush bedding, and panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. Guests can unwind in style amidst the tranquil beauty of their surroundings, immersing themselves in the serenity of coastal living and the five-star service for which Tintswalo is renowned.