The Grande Dames Of Africa

The Grande Dames Of Africa

There are some hotels where you just know what you are going to get in advance of your stay – impeccable service, wonderful facilities, superb cuisine. These are the properties which influence where you travel – you go to the hotel first, and the destination second. Hotels that have been around long enough to perfect their hospitality offerings - where the doorman remembers your name, the bar tender knows your favourite drink, and where your breakfast eggs are cooked to perfection. Somewhere which instantly feels like home, rather than just a nameless place to stay.

In this blog, our Sales Director Chris Wain  shines a little light on a small selection of these treasures, each of which can easily be incorporated into an African itinerary.

Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel, Cape Town

Arguably South Africa’s most famous hotel, The Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel also known as ‘The Nelly’ is most definitely a sanctuary within the city of Cape Town. Built to house passengers from the Union Castle cruise liners, the British and Colonial heritage of the hotel shines through in the grand public rooms and classic, period furnished rooms. The property sprawls over several buildings within seven acres of beautiful rose gardens and manicured lawns. There are two heated swimming pools and from the colonial grandeur of the Planet bar and restaurant to the Librisa Spa and the al fresco informality of the pool area, the facilities are truly superb and are only matched by the unrivalled service levels. 

The Victoria Falls Hotel, Victoria Falls

Popularly known as ‘the grand old lady of the Falls’, the Victoria Falls Hotel was the very first built in Victoria Falls, originally to accommodate railway workers constructing the now iconic Victoria Falls Bridge. Almost 120 years old, the hotel has recently been completely refurbished and now combines the charm of the old with the convenience and amenities of the new. Location is everything here, and guests can follow the private path through the gardens down to the entrance to the Victoria Falls in just 10 minutes, or stay put and enjoy the hotel’s tranquil gardens, restaurants, fitness room, tennis court, swimming pool or spa, whilst still being able to hear and see the spray from this natural wonder. 

Peponi Hotel, Lamu

Peponi’s dates from the swinging Sixties, when it put the Kenyan island of Lamu firmly on every jetsetter’s radar. Perfectly located at the end of a sweeping deserted beach, this is the country’s ultimate beach hideaway, on an island where time seems to have stood still. Family-owned and run, the obsessively-good service is complemented by supreme dining, massages, afternoon naps and adventures on a traditional dhow boat. Lazy, sunny days are followed by gatherings in the beachside bar, where traditional dawa cocktails serve as the forerunner to suppers of outstandingly fresh fish and seafood. 

Mombo Camp, Okavango Delta

THE ultimate safari lodge, Mombo Camp is undoubtedly Botswana’s flagship property. It is located in the heart of the Okavango Delta on Chief’s Island, an area with some of the highest concentrations of wildlife found anywhere in Africa. This is a slick, well-oiled safari machine which delivers world-class safari experiences time after time, ensuring that it has a very loyal following of aficionados who return again and again. Enormous and opulent guest tents are complemented by Michelin star-quality dining, a swimming pool, library, gym and spa. Those lucky enough to secure a reservation can be guaranteed a safari like no other, and a tented experience that is unrivalled. A supreme safari destination.

Giraffe Manor, Nairobi

A real destination hotel if ever there was one. The average traveller does not tend to linger in Nairobi, but then again the average traveller does not stay in such a remarkable property as Giraffe Manor. Modelled on a Scottish hunting lodge, this grand structure dates back to the 1930s, and whilst the building itself resonates with the past, very much present is the hotel’s free-roaming herd of Rothschild giraffe. They visit the manor in the mornings and evenings to greet guests, and the ability to share your morning meal with these majestic creatures, who stretch their long necks through the windows to greet you, is a completely unique experience. The only downside? – you will need to book many months in advance to guarantee your spot.