For some reason, the West Coast doesn’t quite receive the same amount of media coverage as the rest of the Cape Peninsula. Sure, it may not be able to hold ground against the tip of Africa, or the extravagance found on the Atlantic Seaboard, but there are some gems along the West Coast that, for us, are purely Cape Town. And that’s, afterall, what That’s Cape Town is about: all things purely Cape Town. Here is our list of gems (in no particular order )

Petit Fours

Petit Fours interior - courtesy of www.thedesigntabloid.com

This coffee shop is packed with scrumptious treats and a view to die for! Housed in a small, old cottage, it’s a place where French country style meets shabby chic, and  the sounds of  Edith Piaf and friends in the background  just round off the ambience beautifully. Order anything on the menu with confidence, especially their mini cakes, which you can see in a display cabinet. On the savoury side, the homemade pies and savoury cheesecakes (don’t be fooled by the name – not a ‘cake’ at all) are sublime. More than just a coffee shop, they have cabinets and shelves featuring beautifully crafted gifts for the home. Find Petit Fours at 20 Stadler Road, Bloubergstrand.

Kraalbaai

Paradise @ Kraalbaai

Situated in the West Coast National Park, this beach isn’t a big secret. It’s beauty and tranquility are known by many a local and tourist alike. Slightly protected from the wind, it makes the perfect spot for a picnic, and a day in the sun with the family. The drive is definitely worth it, even if the hefty Park entrance fee catches you off-guard, as it did us.

Paternoster

Perhaps one of the most well-known and most-visited towns on the West Coast, Patnernoster has managed to retain it’s humble, village charm. A place for a romantic weekend away, or for the family to play beach soccer or go diving for crayfish together. There are so many accommodation options available, from cosy B&B to lavish self-catering. And be sure to sample the fresh seafood from one of the rustic eateries near the beach, while you’re there… Never a disappointment.

Schoolyard Market 

Not strictly-speaking on the West Coast, this monthly market, in Sunningdale, both impresses and surprises at the same time. Easily comparable to Hope Street or Porter’s Estate, the market has a family and community focus. There is much to keep kiddies entertained and everyone’s tummies full. Crafts include beautifully designed decor items, jewelry, and art pieces, all for great prices.

The Cherry-on-Top stand @ Schoolyard Market

Inglenook 

This one is new to the market, but became a part of our ‘West Coast gems’ list after a recent weekend visit. A calm and peaceful little bit of heaven on earth, this farmhouse is surrounded by fynbos, and not much else: the perfect place to get-away-from-it-all. It’s situated on a smallholding just 5 mins from the village of Yzerfontein with its famous 16-mile beach.

Farmhouse chic @ Inglenook

Poolside bliss @ Inglenook

Much care and consideration went into the design and decor of Inglenook, and the farmhouse-chic feel, accented by elements of Balinese style, creates a holiday feel that makes you want to curl up on one of the poolside daybeds with a good novel. Hire the whole house for a weekend, and take 2 or 3 families with you! The house sleeps 12 quite comfortably. To book or find out more, email inglenookchic@yahoo.com 

Lady Hamilton Hotel Honoured as a Highly Rated Hotel in Cape Town as Reviewed by Travellers on the World’s Largest Travel Site

Cape Town, South Africa – The Lady Hamilton Hotel of the Leisure Hotels Group has announced that it has received a TripAdvisor® Certificate of Excellence, which honors top-rated lodging businesses, restaurants and attractions, as reviewed by travelers on the world’s largest travel site*.

To qualify, these businesses must maintain an average rating of four or higher out of a possible five, as reviewed by travelers on TripAdvisor. Additional criteria include volume of reviews and how recently they have been submitted by TripAdvisor travelers. The accolade is extended to qualifying businesses worldwide.

“The Lady Hamilton is thrilled to receive a TripAdvisor Certificate of  Excellence,” said Wentzel Hotlzhausen, General Manager of the Lady Hamilton Hotel. “We strive to offer our customers a memorable experience, and this accolade is evidence that our hard work is translating into positive traveler reviews on TripAdvisor.”

“The TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence program gives exceptional businesses in a variety of different industries around the world the recognition they deserve,” said Christine Petersen, president of TripAdvisor for Business. “From top-rated restaurants in Boston to top-rated attractions in Barcelona, we want to applaud these businesses for offering TripAdvisor travelers a great customer experience.”

See the Lady Hamilton on Tripadvisor.com

About TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor® is the world’s largest travel site, enabling travelers to plan and have the perfect trip. TripAdvisor offers trusted advice from real travelers and a wide variety of travel choices and planning features (including Flights search, TripAdvisor Mobile and TripAdvisor Trip Friends) with seamless links to booking tools.

TripAdvisor® Media Group, operated by TripAdvisor LLC, attracts more than 50 million unique monthly visitors* across 18 popular travel brands**. TripAdvisor-branded sites make up the largest travel community in the world, with more than 40 million unique monthly visitors***, 20 million members, and over 45 million reviews and opinions. The sites operate in 29 countries worldwide****, including China under daodao.com. TripAdvisor also operates TripAdvisor for Business, a dedicated division that provides the tourism industry access to TripAdvisor’s millions of monthly visitors. The division includes Business Listings, which allows hoteliers to connect directly to millions of researching travelers, and Vacation Rentals, which helps property managers and individual home owners list their properties and showcase hotel alternatives.

TripAdvisor Media Group websites have been recognized as top travel resources in 2010 by Condé Nast Traveller, Good Housekeeping, TIME magazine and Travel + Leisure.

TripAdvisor Media Group generated $486 million in revenue in 2010.  TripAdvisor and the sites comprising the TripAdvisor Media Group are operating companies of Expedia, Inc. (NASDAQ: EXPE).

TripAdvisor and the TripAdvisor logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of TripAdvisor LLC in the U.S. and/or other countries. Other logos or product and company names mentioned herein may be the property of their respective owners.

©2011 TripAdvisor LLC.  All rights reserved.

*Source: comScore Media Metrix for TripAdvisor Media Group Sites, Worldwide, August 2010

** In addition to TripAdvisor, The TripAdvisor Media Group of websites includes: www.airfarewatchdog.com, www.bookingbuddy.com, www.cruisecritic.com, www.everytrail.com, www.familyvacationcritic.com, www.flipkey.com, www.holidaylettings.co.uk, www.holidaywatchdog.com, www.independenttraveler.com, www.onetime.com, www.seatguru.com, www.sniqueaway.com, www.smartertravel.com, www.travel-library.com, www.travelpod.com, www.virtualtourist.com and www.kuxun.cn.

***Source: comScore Media Metrix for TripAdvisor Sites, Worldwide, August 2010

**** TripAdvisor sites operate in 29 countries worldwide: www.tripadvisor.com, www.tripadvisor.co.uk, www.tripadvisor.ca, www.tripadvisor.it, www.tripadvisor.es, www.tripadvisor.de, www.tripadvisor.fr, www.tripadvisor.jp, www.daodao.com, www.tripadvisor.in, www.tripadvisor.se, www.tripadvisor.nl, www.tripadvisor.com.br, www.tripadvisor.com.tr, www.tripadvisor.dk, www.tripadvisor.com.mx, www.tripadvisor.ie, www.tripadvisor.com.au, www.tripadvisor.com.sg, www.tripadvisor.co.kr, no.tripadvisor.com, pl.tripadvisor.com, th.tripadvisor.com, www.tripadvisor.ru, www.tripadvisor.com.gr, www.tripadvisor.co.id, www.tripadvisor.com.ar, www.tripadvisor.tw and www.tripadvisor.com.my.

Make the Stormers vs Blue Bulls match on Saturday a weekend-long celebration!

Get 2 nights accomodation at the Strand Tower with an incredible buffet breakfast, return transfers to Newlands Stadium, as well as 2 tickets ON THE HALF WAY LINE! You can get all this for only R2500!

Imagine being driven to and from the matches; no need to worry about having a few too many beers! After the match you can relax in a luxury hotel room or spend the night celebrating out on the town!

Don’t miss this exclusive offer. Tickets are limited so book now!

Email: sedick@leisurehotels.co.za or call 082 336 7800 to reserve your place.

Locals have always known that Cape Town is the most beautiful city in the world. Now TripAdvisor, the largest travel website in the world, has proved it. The TripAdvisor 2011 Travellers’ Choice Destination Awards has selected Cape Town as the world’s top travel destination.
Millions of TripAdvisor fans worldwide participated in an online poll to vote for their best travel destination. The various cities that formed part of this poll were ranked according to travellers’ favourite destinations, their experiences while travelling there and the general popularity of the destination.

Sydney secured the number two spot, followed by Machu Picchu, Paris and Rio de Janeiro making up the top five travel destinations in the world.

Residents and previous Cape Town visitors won’t be surprised by this award. Cape Town has a diverse range of attractions, sights and activities to offer. From beautiful beaches such as Clifton and Camps Bay to award winning wine farms in Stellenbosch and Franschoek – Cape Town has something for everyone.

“With fantastic nature sites such as the monumental Table Mountain, beautiful wine farms accompanied with good food, historical heritage such as Robben Island and the Castle of Good Hope, it’s easy to see why Cape Town won,” says Manja Jaspers, a Director of the Cape Town-based hotel group, Leisure Hotels. “Shopping in Cape Town, especially at the V&A Waterfront, delights all tourists. This is an amazing city.”

So, Cape Town is the world’s best travel destination, but which other cities made the cut?

Cape Town, South Africa
Sydney, Australia
Machu Picchu, Peru
Paris, France
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
New York City, United States
Rome, Italy
London, United Kingdom
Barcelona, Spain
Hong Kong, China

And there you have it. The top ten travel destinations in the world. Come and visit the beautiful Mother City of South Africa soon. Your time here will not be forgotten.

Article by Nadia Majiet

During the festive season last year, my family and I wanted to spend Christmas in style – the problem was, we all have our own idea of what style is!

My nine-year old thinks swimming pools, DVD’s on tap and play areas are the height of sophistication. My fiancé only needs a place to recharge his body and soul and he’s happy.  I, on the other hand, have a whole list of requirements: a spa, babysitting services, king size beds, beautiful views, and elegant décor. Oh, and five star quality of course…

At the Arabella Western Cape Hotel and Spa (5 Star) all this was delivered to us on a silver platter. This hotel has a lot going for it. It is safe and secure; it’s situated on a beautiful golf course and overlooks a vista of mountains, lake and sea. It is also a stone throw away from Hermanus and Kleinmond – two bustling seaside towns. The décor is elegant, the food superb and diverse, and the Kids Club took great care to ensure that my son was happy and entertained.

I was a bit disappointed that there was no TV in our room and also thought the room had too much furniture to be accessible for a wheel chair. We asked for a KING SIZE bed, which didn’t arrive until the third day of our stay. When the new bed arrived, it was a Double and not the King Size we were hankering after. But, all is forgiven!

The rest of the hotel was a dream to visit. The restaurant staff went out of their way to ensure that my fiancé and I received excellent service. The staff at the spa took special care of my fiancé and made us feel like any other romantic couple. Which was a real treat for us.

With regards to the disabled accommodation – while the location and layout of our room was perfect, I would really like to see more disabled rooms with a view – we did not have that option and it was a pity.

I will go there again, but perhaps out of season when there are less overseas visitors and Housekeeping has their house in order, so to speak.

Oh, and this time I’m not bringing my son with. I don’t care how child-friendly the hotel is…my child is still not hotel-friendly…

Review by Erla Diedericks