South African property developers Wikus Lategan and Wayne Williams have opened Zomerlust Boutique Hotel, bringing the same problem-solving discipline and people-first philosophy that has defined their careers to their new project. With decades of large-scale development between them, the pair has applied their deep knowledge and abilities to a 15-room luxury property and fire-driven restaurant…
This September 2026, the Western Cape welcomes a game-changing new destination for aviation enthusiasts: Atlantic Aerodrome. More than just a place to park your aircraft, this purpose-built premium general aviation and turboprop hub in the scenic Swartland is set to become the region’s premier lifestyle destination for pilots, aircraft owners and their families. Located just…
South Africa’s bush escapes have long been positioned through a lens of exclusivity, often marketed as luxury experiences tailored for international travellers. Over time, this has formed a perception, especially among South Africans, that time in nature is not as accessible and comes at a high financial premium. In reality, the country’s wilderness offerings are…
With Johannesburg gearing up for a season of rugby test matches, national championships and international sporting fixtures, the city is expecting a steady flow of travelling supporters, players and officials moving in and out through OR Tambo International Airport. Whether guests are touching down for a few hours between connecting flights, flying in for back-to-back…
First, it was the laptop we brought home ‘just in case’. Then it was the smartphone on the bedside table. Now it’s the smartwatch on our wrist, vibrating through dinner, school runs, holidays and sleep. We call it convenience, but for many people it has become a constant state of high alert. Work emails arrive…
There’s an ethereal quality to the light of the West Coast: crystalline, fresh and seemingly as wild as the landscapes that connect the vineyards of the Swartland with the empty beaches of the Atlantic. Set within this meeting point of country and coast, De Wildeveldt is a remarkable stretch of land under conservation, just an…
Repeat visitation is reshaping hospitality strategy, with a clear shift from acquisition to retention. Traveller behaviour is following the same trend. Within this context, hotels are moving beyond the ‘first impression’ model, with consistency, familiarity and ease across stays becoming as important as novelty, and hospitality increasingly defined by ongoing relationships rather than single visits.…
Three kilometres outside Franschhoek Village, on a property where a craft brewery shares space with a boutique hotel, something quietly practical is happening. While much of the travel industry talks about sustainability in broad strokes, the team at @Franschhoek Hotel has spent the past few years building it into the daily mechanics of how the…
As the seasons turn and Johannesburg settles into its cooler months, The Peech Hotel invites guests to embrace a slower, more considered pace with the launch of its Cosy Winter Package. Set within two acres of lush central gardens in Melrose, the boutique hotel offers a warm and quietly luxurious retreat, where winter is less…
The Daily APT, a new locally curated aparthotel brand, is set to redefine Cape Town’s hospitality landscape. The brand debuts with its flagship 87-key property in Green Point, scheduled to open in Q1 2027, with more sites secured across the city. The Daily introduces a design-led, flexible stay concept, focused on the modern traveller and…
The pandemic gave us Zoom. The post-pandemic hangover is giving us something far more interesting: a corporate exodus from the screen and a full-throated return to physical, immersive, face-to-face strategy sessions. And if the data is anything to go by, this isn’t nostalgia – it’s neuroscience. For a brief, chaotic moment in the early 2020s,…
The tourism industry is increasingly called upon to account for its environmental and social impact. Within the Northern Drakensberg, one family offers a practical example of how that responsibility can be translated into long-term practice. Founded in the early 2000s by Anthony and Jean Carte, who had previously been involved with The Cavern Resort &…
Going on holiday with parents and grandparents is nothing new to many South Africans. Ours is a culture that has always embraced close family ties, shared spaces and the idea that raising children, celebrating milestones and spending time together is a collective experience rather than an individual one. While multigenerational travel has long been second-nature…
Nestled within the heart of a fynbos biome, Grootbos Private Nature Reserve is an ecological sanctuary in one of the most diverse floral kingdoms on Earth. Anchored on the hills of Walker Bay, the reserve is also a gateway to the Marine Big Five and internationally significant ancient coastal caves that reveal some of the…
This winter, The Living Journey Collection invites travellers to embrace the quieter, more contemplative season of the Cape with the launch of its GR8 Cape Escape, a winter offering designed to celebrate the region at its most verdant. Available from 1 May to 31 August 2026, the GR8 Cape Escape encourages South Africans to journey…
A bold new chapter in South African luxury travel will unfold on 15 May 2026 with the official opening of Elephant Point River Suites: a sophisticated, villa-style hotel experience set along one of the most coveted stretches of the Sabie River. Brought to market by Legacy Group, one of South Africa’s leading hospitality companies known…
Gqeberha’s hospitality scene is transforming. Brimming with ambition, the city is beginning to claim its place as one of the nation’s must-see destinations. At the centre of this transformation is The Capital Boardwalk, the city’s first aparthotel, conferencing venue and all-round entertainment complex. Bringing with it a world-class in-house restaurant, 145 hotel rooms and apartments,…
In the world of high-end hospitality, there has long been an unspoken rule: elegance and paws don’t mix. For the discerning traveller, choosing to bring a canine companion often meant compromising on aesthetics, settling for functional rather than fabulous. Luckily, a new breed of travel is emerging in the heart of the Great Karoo. In…
After months of groundwork, planning and considerable investment, one of the first major chapters of Brahman Hills’ long-term vision has come to life. The award-winning, sanctuary-led destination has officially completed all four of its 5-star Premium Signature Villas. Their completion marks a significant step in the broader multimillion-rand Serenity Garden development and brings a new…
When Bill Carte proposed to his beloved Ruth Blyth, he did so in a letter: “Ruth, my darling, I plea as never before: Put your trust in me, marry me and be my mate in building a home and farm second-to-none in South Africa.” In October 1941, the newlyweds arrived in the majestic Drakensberg mountains…
Just under three hours from Cape Town, beyond winding mountain passes and vineyard-lined valleys, lies a place where time slows and the wild finds its voice. Set within the vast Klein Karoo, Mont Eco Private Game Reserve offers a rare sanctuary defined by sweeping horizons, rich biodiversity and a thoughtful approach to modern African luxury.…
Easter has a funny way of sneaking up on you. One minute it’s “we should really plan something”, the next it’s a long weekend, a half-packed bag and someone casually suggesting a road trip like it’s not already Thursday. And somehow, it still works out. There’s less pressure with Easter. It’s not trying to be…
Shorter, restorative breaks are increasingly shaping travel choices. A global travel report shows that bookings for trips of four days or less have grown by 34% in the past year, reflecting a rising preference for meaningful experiences without long-haul travel. In response, Steenberg Hotel & Spa, situated in the Constantia Valley just 20 minutes from…
As demand for African safaris continues to rise, and peak-season availability tightens across southern and East Africa, travel experts are encouraging guests to consider booking during one of the continent’s most overlooked windows: shoulder and green seasons. “Many travellers look first at weather charts and migration calendars when they’re booking an African safari, but this…
Little Switzerland Resort, an affordable family-friendly resort nestled at the foot of the Northern Drakensberg, has transitioned to a fully all-inclusive resort model – marking a strategic repositioning as it seeks to strengthen its appeal within South Africa’s domestic and regional tourism market. What was once a tea garden in the early 1900s, Little Switzerland…
The year has barely begun, yet many people already feel like they need a holiday. The emails are back. The pace is relentless. The pressure to ‘hit the ground running’ sets in before there has been any real chance to recover from the year before. It is a familiar feeling, and one that research increasingly…
The Living Journey Collection, a portfolio of eight boutique hotels located at some of South Africa’s most desirable addresses across Cape Town, the Winelands and Hermanus, has introduced a new guest experience offering in collaboration with ARTROUTE, a Cape Town–based specialist art and design private guide agency. Designed for culturally curious travellers, art aficionados and…
A layover at OR Tambo International doesn’t have to mean hours of waiting around. Just a short shuttle ride from the airport, Radisson Hotel Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport offers travellers a convenient base to rest, refresh and explore Johannesburg before their next flight, with access to both a peaceful retreat and some nearby attractions. “Travellers…
RIU Hotels & Resorts has opened its new jewel in the Indian Ocean: Hotel Riu Palace Swahili. Located in the premier area of Nungwi, in the north of Zanzibar, this 5-star hotel becomes the chain’s third hotel in Tanzania. The adults-only hotel marks two significant milestones for the company in this region, taking standards of…
The Kingdom of Eswatini has launched a beautifully crafted new Destination Brochure, marking its first major print showcase of the country in five years and signalling a renewed push to elevate Eswatini’s presence on the international tourism stage. A brand-new Accommodation & Tourism Directory has also been developed, with annual updates planned. Rich in inspiration…
