African Excellence Awards 2019

8 MEA MARKETS / 2019 African Business Excellence Awards , Best Luxury Hotel & Winery 2019 - Cape Winelands Having risen from the ashes of a fire in 2017, the Lanzerac Hotel & Spa has been returned to its luxurious splendour and againwelcomes guests from far and wide to sample its delicious wines and exceptional hospitality. As part of our showcase of some of this year’s phenomenal African Excellence Awards winners, we profile the establishment and share some of the secrets behind its success in this competitive awards programme. Steeped in history dating back to 1692, the Lanzerac Wine Estate is a historic landmark and Stellenbosch icon. The homestead was transformed into a hotel in 1959, creating a space reminiscent of the traditional French way of fusing a country hotel and wine estate. In 2017, a fire damaged the main operational areas of this historical hotel, after which it closed for 13 months whilst the owners restored it to its former glory. Today, guests have the opportunity to experience the winelands at its finest within the hotel’s exquisite setting, with its dramatic mountain ranges, endless rows of lush vineyards and hectares of green gardens shaded by enormous oak trees. The heritage of the Estate has been translated in the external aesthetics, as well as in the curation of the interiors to highlight its 327-year-old history and the old-world charm with which it is synonymous. The hotel boasts 53 exquisitely styled rooms or suites, all of which reflect the rich history of the Estate, but with contemporary influences carefully blended in. Space and privacy are inherent elements of every room and no two are alike, with each room having been decorated with sophisticated touches and a unique selection of timeless pieces. The lavishness extends to the marble en-suite bathrooms, which are all extremely generous in size and feature a luxurious slipper bath looking out onto the Estate. Guests can choose from an array of epicurean experiences at the various dining venues - the Manor Kitchen, Taphuis, Craven Lounge and Lanzerac Deli - each of which has its own distinctive culinary style. In the Manor Kitchen, guests can indulge in opulent buffet breakfasts and delicious dinner dishes whilst enjoying the rusticity and airiness of the venue, with natural light streaming in through the skylight and the greenery of the gardens filtering in through the windows. For gourmet pub-style lunches and dinners, the Taphuis or Craven Lounge is where guests need to be. Whether dining at the Taphuis’ handcrafted bar, on the shady terrace with its garden views or beneath the photos of military men in the Craven Lounge, guests can tuck into traditional pub-style fare. With an extensive selection of the finest local and international spirits, carefully curated wine list and wide range of craft beers, the Craven Lounge is an ideal spot for pre-dinner drinks and canapés before dining at any of the Estate’s eateries. Inspired by old Victorian gentlemen’s clubs and officers’ messes, the relaxed environment of the Craven Lounge makes it perfect for informal dining. May19036 Lanzerac Hotel & Spa Ultimately, the Lanzerac Hotel & Spa is a sumptuous historical estate offering a truly unique experience for guests from around the world. Contact Details: Company: Lanzerac Hotel & Spa Contact: Lauren Berry Website: www.lanzerac.co.za