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Claire recently enjoyed a wonderful getaway at The Lanzerac Hotel and Spa in Stellenbosch.
I was thrilled to get the chance to visit The Lanzerac Hotel & Spa in Stellenbosch recently – the estate is one of those iconic wine lands properties, a ‘Grande Dame’ if you like. Having been established in 1692, this lovely lady will be celebrating her 325th birthday next year, and she is looking fabulous!
Entering along the oak lined driveway you’re immediately struck by the historic Cape Dutch homestead with its magnificent mountain backdrop. In fact, you are surrounded by picture perfect views on all sides from the rolling lawns to the stately oaks, the vineyards and the stunning Helderberg mountains.
We were warmly greeted and after enjoying a quick tour of the estate were welcomed at the wine tasting centre for a Wine & Chocolate pairing. If you love wine and chocolate (surely everyone?), then I would highly recommend this option. Five specially made chocolates are expertly paired with five Lanzerac wines – the aim being to complement and bring out the flavours in both the wines and the chocolate. If I really had to choose, I would say my personal favourite was the white Lemon Verbena chocolate paired with the 2015 Lanzerac Chardonnay – the gorgeous buttery notes of the Chardonnay were wonderfully enhanced by the citrus flavours in the chocolate. My husband loved the white Peach & Almond chocolate paired with the crisp and fruity Lanzerac Sauvignon Blanc, and the indulgent final pairing of the flagship Lanzerac 2013 Pionier Pinotage with a chocolate dipped cherry was sublime. I hadn’t realised just how renowned Lanzerac are for their Pinotage – they were the first estate to bottle and release a Pinotage in 1961 and their awards and accolades are numerous. Alongside the wine tasting centre is the Lanzerac Deli where visitors can pop in to enjoy a selection of freshly baked breads, pastries and cakes, create a sandwich or platter or make up a picnic basket to enjoy on the lawns. You can even buy some delicious homemade goodies to take home – including slabs of the chocolate used in the wine pairing.
The hotel has undergone (and is still undergoing) an extremely careful and sensitive refurbishment and the newly decorated rooms are really something special. We were accommodated in the tranquil Courtyard where the rooms open onto a central swimming pool, which I can imagine is wonderfully cool and inviting on a hot summer’s day. Stunning, spacious, luxurious and welcoming were just some of the words that came to mind upon entering the room.
Beautiful fabrics and soft furnishings, gorgeous antiques, chandelier light fittings and a super comfortable bed tick all the boxes – but the highlight for me was the simply gorgeous bathroom! Light and bright and almost ‘glass conservatory’ in style, the bathroom was draped with beautiful misty blue curtaining with a free standing bathtub overlooking a private courtyard. I’m not a fan of air-conditioning, I simply love fresh air – and opening the ceiling to floor glass doors in the bathroom allowed the afternoon breeze to waft gently in – divine!
The suite had all of the facilities and extra little touches that mark this as a luxury 5-star property including a Nespresso coffee station, two flat screen TV’s (one for lazing in bed, and the other in the sitting area), underfloor heating and air-conditioning, heavenly Charlotte Rhys bathroom goodies and a comfy and private outdoor patio overlooking the gardens and the mountain backdrop. A much appreciated (and delicious) touch was the platter of fresh strawberries, mini cheesecakes and chocolate brownies which were waiting for us in our room.
We were lucky enough to visit on one of those surprisingly sunny days in the middle of winter, and it seemed scandalous not to make the most of sitting outdoors so we headed to the Terrace for a sundowner glass of Lanzerac bubbles. It was a picture perfect evening and as the sky turned shades of pink the Terrace was bustling with locals and visitors alike making the most of the day. Should you prefer to sit indoors, the Taphuis bar with its beautiful yellowwood furniture is noted as being one of the oldest bars in the Cape and the sense of history and nostalgia is almost palpable.
Dinner that evening was another luxurious affair in the stately Governors Hall Restaurant with its starched white tablecloths and discreet yet attentive service. Our Tomato & Buffalo Mozzarella started was light and fresh and the perfect start to our meal. I selected the Fynbos Honey Glazed Pork Belly as my main course which was simply delicious, and my husbands’ Aged Fillet of Beef was succulent and perfectly prepared. Having already indulged way too much for one day, we very sadly declined dessert but I now regret not having tried the Deconstructed Lemon Meringue – definitely next time!
A luxurious bubble bath and beautifully turned down bed was the perfect end to the day...
I had heard wonderful things about the legendary Lanzerac breakfast, and we made our way to breakfast the following morning surprisingly hungry. This really is a decadent breakfast buffet with everything you could possibly imagine from cereals and fresh fruits to freshly baked pastries, cheeses and even oysters and bubbly. And that was just to get starter ...From the hot breakfast menu I ordered the Poppy seed flapjacks with bacon, caramelized banana, honey and crème fraiche which was possibly the most delicious breakfast I have ever eaten – made all the more so by the glass of bubbly that accompanied it! A strong and creamy cappuccino which we enjoyed on the Terrace while reading the newspapers was the perfect way to end our time at Lanzerac – all too short, but hopefully to be repeated again soon.
If you’re looking for a quick escape for a romantic and luxurious weekend away, then I can recommend looking no further than Lanzerac. And, if you are in the mood for exploring and venturing further afield the hotel is extremely well positioned – just 5 minutes from the centre of the historic Stellenbosch town centre with its shops and galleries, on the doorstep of numerous other wine estates and literally a stone’s throw from the beautiful Jonkershoek Nature Reserve with its walks and hiking trails.
The brand new and simply stunning Lanzerac Spa opened its doors in January 2017 –and promises to be an absolute treat! With a magnificent view straight onto the vineyards and the Jonkershoek Mountains, the spa offers six therapy rooms, an in-door heated pool, sauna and steam rooms as well as four mani/pedi treatment areas and spaces for relaxation. Using fabulous products such as Elemis and Theravine and offering everything from scrubs and body wraps to massages and facial treatments - sounds heavenly! Simply perfect for a girl’s day out...
