Ultimate luxury & relaxation at Grootbos

Posted on March 27, 2013 by Karisa

Cast your minds back to February… Just before Valentine’s day I told you guys about an amazing “Month of Love” special at a place called Grootbos Private Nature Reserve. At that point I had only had a very small taste of the place thanks to a dinner I attended there last year, but from that experience I just knew that being able to stay at Grootbos would be an absolutely incredible treat.

Well turns out I’m a very very lucky girl indeed, because they invited me to go spend a night there recently which meant I got to experience their amazing 5 star treatment first hand…

Grootbos is situated in Walker Bay – if coming from Cape Town, it’s past Hermanus, just on the other side of Stanford and just over a 2 hour drive in total. The property spans 1768 hectares of land covered by over 750 species of indigenous plants. They have 2 lodges and a private villa. The Garden lodge is geared for families and the Forest Lodge is more suited for couples. The villa which sleeps up to 12 people is for those folks who want do some serious splurging, because it comes with… wait for it… wait for it… a private guide, chef & a butler! Sjoe.

Bjorn and I were staying in the Forest Lodge and from the moment we stepped through that front door at the lodge, we knew we were in for one helluva ride…

Reception

The lounge

The dining room

Deck heading down to the pool

Deck where you can sit & have a meal

Pure bliss…

While our things were being taken to our suite (yes – not a room, a suite!), we settled in for lunch. And what was that like? Well I think these photos tell the story pretty well:

A fresh salad buffet followed by your choice from the lunch menu (which changes daily) and a fresh dessert (don’t have a pic of that cause I ate it too quickly – sorry)

With our bellies quite happy, we took a short walk through the 1500 year old milkwood forest surrounding the lodge…

Beautiful, isn’t it?

And this got us to our luxurious freestanding suite. This place was almost the size of my apartment – with a lounge, small kitchen area, 2 bathrooms, open plan wardrobe and a huge comfy bed, we were definitely in suite heaven.

And the views, oh my goodness, let’s talk about views… these are not those “partial views” estate agents always try to sell you. You know the type… where you have to lean out the tiny toilet window, tilt your head to the left & squint. Oh no no no. These are endless views of Walker Bay & the Atlantic Ocean from your very own wooden deck & also from every single room:

After a nice looooong afternoon nap, we woke up to this:

You could see all the way through to Fish Hoek that night… #stunning

We were excited to see what Executive Chef, Duane Lewis, had up his sleeve for dinner. Dinner at Grootbos is quite an experience. Things kick off with a small amuse bouche, followed by 4 courses plus a palate cleanser. Duane uses only fresh, seasonal ingredients from the area, so you’re getting only the best here. And the portion sizes are well planned out so you don’t leave there needing a lift in a wheelbarrow or something.

Top: the dining room; Bottom left: amuse bouche; Bottom right: beef tartare

Soup of the day, palate cleanser, herb crusted line fish with asparagus & a red pepper coulis, pot-au-chocolate with vanilla shortbread

After dinner we plonked ourselves onto that big angelic bed in our suite, and I must say I got some of the best sleep I’ve had in years. It’s just so peaceful there. The only noises you hear are of birds and crickets and stuff. A huge change from my city apartment where I wake up to police sirens and fire trucks. It felt like a totally different world…

Next morning we woke up to the full nature reserve experience when we found a little birdie stuck in our bathroom. He was a bit shaken up & disoriented because he had a friend outside and was trying to get to him through the window. Not the best idea to try and fly through glass my little man, but Bjorn managed to catch him so we could let him out. Just look at this face:

Shame man. But don’t worry, he was all good again a few minutes later and flew off with his buddy who’d been waiting around for him.

Another really great thing about Grootbos is all the activities they offer their guests. We’re talking forest & fynbos walks, 4×4 reserve safaris, horseback riding, beach walks, cave exploration, spa treatments and you can even do your bit by planting a tree. Most of the onsite activities are included in your stay and then if you want to venture out a bit, they can also organise things like shark cage diving at an additional cost.

We opted for a morning horse ride before breakfast and a relaxing full body massage before lunch. Sounds like a really tough day doesn’t it?

At our horse ride I had to laugh at how perfectly matched out horses were. Bjorn’s horse was a little showy and couldn’t stop eating all the way along our route. And mine was just like me, slow & cautious on the downhill (especially when in heels).

Oh and just check that scenery…

Breakfast, just like the other meals, was an absolute treat. First they let you loose on the fresh fruit, cereal and bread buffet and after you can select pretty much any breakfast you can think of from their hot menu.

We went for the flapjacks with bacon & honey. So yum!

For our massage we headed to the onsite Blooms Forest Spa. What I really loved about this place was that it was right in the middle of the milkwood forest, surrounded by big trees and thanks to this, they just let you listen to the sounds of the forest while drifting away instead of putting on those typical spa CDs with annoying panpipe music or fake water sounds or whatever. I really hate those CDs. They seem to stress me out more than anything…

I highly recommend a visit to the spa. That massage was amazing.

The only other thing left on our agenda was some serious pool time, I mean who on this planet could ever resist relaxing on a big lounger over here:

What a tough life…

A huge thank you to Robert van Rooyen from D.R.O.I.D Projects who organised this little stay for us and also to General Manager Sean Ingles and the rest of the Grootbos team who looked after us to incredibly well. Hopefully we can make it back there again for a longer stay, because 1 night here is just not enough to take in everything they have to offer.

They even gave us a little prezzie…

Thinking of looking into your own reservation? I highly recommend you do. This is a must for your soul, that I guarantee you. You can make a reservation or enquiry online, or just contact them on:

028 384 8000
Or on email: reservations@grootbos.co.za

Like the folks at Nike say…. Just do it…

xxx

A month of love at the 5 star Grootbos Private Nature Reserve

Posted on February 11, 2013 by Karisa

Imagine endless views of the Atlantic Ocean… imagine being surrounded by beautiful fynbos and a 1500-year old Milkwood Forest… imagine staying in a luxury suite that looks like this:

Sound good? Then take note, cause I’m talking about the gorgeous Grootbos Private Nature Reserve near Herman’s AND they’re running a pretty amazing Valentine’s special for the entire month of Febuary.

I had a little taste of this place last year when I got to enjoy an amazing dinner at their Forest Lodge (which you can read about over here) and I totally fell in love. Now I’m very excited because I’m going to be heading back there soon again for a mini break. Yay!

But you likely will be too after I tell you about their incredible Month of Love special…

At only R2100 pp sharing (per night), you will get the following:

Your own free-standing luxurious suite which includes a romantic canopy bed, a spacious en-suite bathroom, a separate lounge with cosy fireplace (in case it happens to be a bit chilly), a mini bar and a wooden deck with views you will not believe.
All meals are included! And I can confirm, the food is really re-ee-e-ally good.
They’ll add some romantic touches at turndown. Think a hot bubble bath while sipping on a glass of bubbly by candlelight… oh yeah…
And then enjoy any of the following romantic activities (depending how much time & energy you have – go for 1 or go for all of them): A beach picnic, Horse riding, a 4×4 flower safari, or get active and take a hike (no no, don’t leave, just hop on one of the many walking trails ).

Yup… this could be all yours…

You’ll also get 50% off all spa treatments (if you only stay for one night). If you book 2 nights, you’ll get a FREE spa treatment.

** For more info, hop on over to their Valentine’s Day special page over here.

To make your reservation – leave your details under the “Enquire Now” section on the specials page above. Or contact Grootbos on 028 384 8000 or info@grootbos.co.za.

And get this, if you quote My Love Affair with Cape Town when you make your reservation, the lovely folks at Grootbos are also going to throw in a free bottle of Moet & Chandon daaahlings.

Now how could you say no to all that…

xxx

Check out the 54 on Bath hotel for total luxury

Posted on January 29, 2013 by Karisa

Now while I was in JHB this past weekend for the Tashas White Party, I had the pleasure of staying at 54 on Bath, a boutique hotel in Rosebank which is part of the Tsogo Sun hotel group.

From the moment we entered the lobby and stepped into their beautiful lounge, I just knew we were in for something quite special…

The hotel has a modern art deco feel and Leigh coined it as feeling like we’ve stepped onto the set of The Great Gatsby. Rich colours, luxurious fabrics, gold finishings and even a stunning white baby grand piano, all creating an environment where you want to linger for as long as you can.

While the check in process was happening we were given some welcome drinks & a refreshing towel and told to sit down & relax… oh yes please…

And then to top it off this lovely man came past and offered us some of the most beautiful mini treats I’ve ever seen:

Thanks, thanks, I’ll have one of each…

Excitement about our rooms grew. I mean if this was the treatment at the front desk, just imagine what other amazing surprises were waiting for us. So up to the 7th floor I went to go check mine out, and ta da:

Love. Love. Love.

It even came with my own little beaded doggie who I decided to call Frank (you should know by know I call all doggies Frank ):

Howzit hanging Frankie boy

Oh and also your very own expresso machine:

And mini Lindt chocolates which you pair with the different types of coffee… come now, how awesome is that?

After settling in we decided to go check out the pool area and have a bit of lunch. The weather was beautiful, so a bit of sunshine on my lily white skin was also welcome.

Anybody for a dip?

This was exactly what the doctor ordered. I tweeted “Champers by the pool… don’t mind if I do”…

We also quickly popped into the hotel’s Veuve Clicquot champagne bar. Isn’t this like every woman’s dream? A champagne bar right on your doorstep:

Yes!

Back at my room a mini tower of afternoon treats were waiting for me and I just knew this place was going to be seriously bad for my bikini body plans.

Oh my goodness, how could I say no…

The attention to detail just continued. From your choice of pillows:

To the mini chocolate milkshake and chocolate brownie waiting for you before you jumped into bed:

And the newspaper & weather info popped onto your door the next day:

Apologies about the crappy photo quality. But this was taken on my Crapberry after all…

Breakfast the next morning was an absolute feast. Fresh fruits, cheeses, meats and like 6 different types of mustards. Onto a hot breakfast of your choice and a baked treats basket on the side. We literally rolled outta there.

I was very sad to check out. I wanted to stay here forever and ever and ever! But that probably would’ve been a really bad idea because I’d end up the size of a house.

If you’re planning a trip to Jozi anytime soon, I can highly recommend you look into this hotel for a totally luxurious, comfy & memorable stay. I have to again thank Tashas & Zebra Square. I felt like total royalty this weekend and loved every minute.

xxx

The Last Word Franschhoek spoils us rotten

Posted on November 7, 2012 by Karisa

This was one of those “OK, I have to pinch myself moments”, because I got to spend a night at a 5 star boutique hotel in Franschhoek in a suite almost the size of my whole apartment.

The Last Word in Franschhoek invited myself plus a partner to spend one luxurious night at their incredibly beautiful property situated on the Main Rd of Franschhoek, opposite the BICCCS, nice & close to all the fantastic Franschhoek shopping & dining spots, galleries and (my personal favourite) Huguenot Fine Chocolates. Mmmmmm.

I briefly thought about auctioning off that “partner spot”, but in the end I figured the right thing to do was to take the boyfriend along. That way Bjorn now owes me big time… Mwhahahahaha.

Guarded by a beautiful 250 year old oak tree, The Last Word Franschhoek has a classic, yet modern feel. With luxurious fabrics & colours, a solar heated swimming pool, free Wifi, a fully stocked bar and a viewing deck upstairs perfect for sundowner cocktails, I really couldn’t ask for more…

But turns out, if I wanted to, I could ask for more… way more… think spa treatments, picnic baskets, tours and even getting my laundry done. Yup, they’ll also organise all of that for you by request.

They have 6 rooms. 4 Superior doubles which each open onto a little private patio garden and then 2 suites which both have access to a semi private pool and also have a seperate lounge area. But all rooms have BIIIG en-suite bathrooms, underfloor heating, satellite TV & a DVD player, airconditioning, velour robes & slippers and even heated towel rails. Ooooh fa-a-an-cy.

The lovely Franklin, welcomed us and showed us around before taking us through to our room. Like I mentioned above, we got to stay in one of the suites. Just check this out:

: Pretty nice huh?

Actually “nice” is really the worst word to use, cause it was actually more on the freakin’ awesome side of things. I felt like a little girl who’d finally gotten her ideal princess room. This (I thought to myself) is the way I’m supposed to live all the time. Maybe one day hey…

After popping out for a quick dinner that at Reuben’s that evening, we got back to quite a surprise. (Just btw: your stay includes a full buffet breakfast, but they can also do lunches/dinners if you arrange it with them before hand. Then again, there are so many great options in Franschhoek, you’re really spoilt for choice already.) Our room had been kitted out with romantic candles, rose petals, mini crème brûlées and a bottle of champers to enjoy. Was sooooo nice.

Just an example of how they try to give all their guests a personalised experience. Love it!

Breakfast the next morning had me practically rolling out the door at check out. Everything from fresh fruits, yoghurt, cereals & muesli, cold meats, a variety of cheeses, bacon, eggs, omelettes, you name it. I never eat like this at home. But boy if you put it down in front of me, it kinda feels like you just have to try a bit of everything. That’s why I try to avoid buffets in general. Not good for the ass.

I have to say a huge thank you to Nicky Coenen from The Last Word group for organising this awesome little getaway for us. Also to the entire team in Franschhoek for looking after us so well. It was so nice to get away and feel like royalty for a bit.

For more info or to make a reservation of your own, you can use the following contact details:

Manager: Conrad Flatow
Cell: +27 (0)781839478
Tel: +27 21 8764723
Fax: +27 21 8764725
Email: franschhoek@thelastword.co.za

They also have a Last Word in Constantia and another in Long Beach.

xxx

A night to remember with great views, tasty food & excellent company

Posted on September 17, 2012 by Karisa

Fri evening was one of those nights where you just have to go “Wait wait, I get to do what!?” The evening was spent at the incredibly beautiful The Last Word Long Beach in Kommetjie for a 5 star dinner hosted by Bar One Manhunt winner Lushwill Rossouw. Remember the man who kicked my butt about 2 weeks ago with a Crossfit workout over at The Last Word in Constantia? Well luckily this time I could swap the workout gear & tekkies for a cocktail dress & heels daahlings…

Seriously, how incredible is this place?

AND not only were we there to enjoy sunset cocktails, dinner & good conversation, we also got to stay over for the night! Check out these rooms people:

There are 6 bedrooms, all sea-facing with either a balcony or patio for you to soak up all the fresh sea air…

The Last Word group believes in totally individualised guest treatment. Every booking is tailor-made to suit your specific requirements. If you love Fanta Grape for example, it will be in your mini-bar. If you read a specific newspaper, they will source it for you. If you’ve burn yourself to a crisp in the sun on the beach that day, they’ll have a soothing after sun lotion waiting for you… that kind of thing, and more. To add to that, I can vouch for the fact that their team is absolutely lovely and really really welcoming.

** For pricing – best to contact them directly via the website link above. They will work out a package to suit your needs. **

So Lushwill had his hands full with this hosting gig, because other ~~loud~~ flamboyant folks in attendance were Clouds (you should know her quite well by now, she of And Lollipops, celebrity journalist & social media expert Clayton Morar, model/MC/presenter Dene Botha and media “mogul” & TV producer Alan Ford.

From left to right: Clouds, Lushwill & Jackie, Ernest (American traveller who happened to be staying over as well), Alan, Nicky & Mike (The Last Word owners), Clayton, me! and Dene.

This was the first time I got to meet Lushwill’s lovely fiancé, Jackie. Turns out she’s quite the fitness fanatic as well (go figure), however her workout of choice involves a pole. Ooh-la-la! I actually did a few pole dancing classes a few years back and I can tell you, it’s no joke. After my first class I had to do that awkward sideways roll out of my bed the next morning… my body hated me for a loooong time…

Lushwill & Jackie – such a gorgeous couple

For dinner we dug into some really yummy things. First an impressive selection of canapes, then some fresh salads for starters, onto a mean piece of meat for mains and finishing off with a delectable chocolate & berry dessert.

Looking at all this food again… maybe it is time to whip out those tekkies for another round of Crossfit. But I tell you, it was totally worth every kilojoule.

With a pretty ruly bunch like ourselves, dinner conversation covered pretty much anything and everything under the sun, mixed in with a lot of laughter…

Some “happy snaps” with the gang

I think (I say “think” because I really can’t remember – thanks to my wine glass staying permanently full ) I finally got to bed around 2:30am. That’s a sign of a good night for sure. And then the next morning, I woke up to this:

Aaaaahh… That made me feel slightly better about my killer hangover…

I sadly had to skip breakfast because I had to get back into town for a shoot. I know – a shoot with a hangover from hell?! Not the best idea. But hey, I like livin’ on the edge. Hehe. I did at least manage to snap this shot of the breakfast table on my way out:

This as I understand was only the first course… ah man! Can’t believe I missed out. Then again after all the food from the night before, I already had my work cut out for me trying to suck in my little boep pens…

A HUGE thank you to Lushwill for being such a great host. Also to the team at The Last Word Long Beach who looked after us in a way I have never experienced before. It was like they were inside my head. When I though “Hmmm… could do with more sparkly…” I would turn my head and someone was filling my glass! How am I supposed to go back to my little apartment now? The boyfriend will need some training for sure.

Going back for a full weekend stay is definitely on my bucket list now.

xxx

Pure bliss at The Lavender Farm

Posted on July 23, 2012 by Karisa

For this year’s Bastille Festival adventure, my friends and I decided to stay overnight in Franschhoek. I certainly never need an excuse to stay over in this beautiful town, it’s got a certain magic about it… AND there’s the cutest little chocolate factory! Check out Huguenot Fine Chocolates… mmmmm… mmmmm… mmmmm… wait, where was I?

We totally lucked out by getting space at The Lavender Farm which is situated just on the outskirts of town. Let me set the scene: You are surrounded by fields of lavender, you have the Franschhoek mountain range as your backdrop, you have gorgeous Cape Dutch cottages and the most serene setting you can possibly imagine…

And it doesn’t stop there folks. You have to see the room interiors. We stayed in their Lavender Suites and it was pure 5 star luxury:

Now can you believe that we got all that for only R475 per person sharing? Yup, that’s their really awesome low season rates which is still running until 31 Jul. From 1 Aug it goes up to R625 per person sharing, but even then I still think it’s really well priced. I mean our room was MASSIVE, kinda like a little apartment. And it was kitted out with DSTV, free Wifi, air conditioning (well in our case, awesome heating), a very pretty private terrace and an ensuite bathroom with a huge shower.

Also, you get to enjoy a mean breakfast spread of fruits, cereals, breads, yoghurts and such and then also the good stuff – bacon, eggs, the whole toot. And the owners are really lovely, which just adds to its charm.

It’s a pity we could only do one night. I’m very keen to go back there with the BF for a full weekend of R & R and Franschhoek exploring. If you’re ever in the area and need a place where you can put your hear down, I would highly recommend this one.

xxx

The Platteklip Wash House

Posted on July 12, 2012 by Karisa

My friend Adam booked out the Platteklip Wash house for his 32nd birthday celebration.

The Platteklip Wash house is part of the Table Mountain National Park and rests on the slopes of our beautiful & world famous Table Mountain. The name dates back to the mid to late 19th century when washer women used to work here. But recently it underwent a cool renovation and now you can book it out for a minimum of 2 people up to a maximum of 24 – you’d usually pay per person OR you can book it out as a venue for a special event and then pay one single fee. Adam paid R5500 to get this amazing spot for his bday party.

The really cool thing is that it’s right at the top of Oranjezicht, just off Sidmouth Avenue in Van Riebeeck Park which means it’s only about 8 or so minutes from town, but once you’re there it feels like you’re in the middle of nowhere.

Now let me show you around. This is the open plan lounge & dining room area:

This is where you sleep:

These are the cool buck head lights in the lounge all lit up:

Loooooved these

And this is the bonfire & braai area outside:

It is totally self catering, but things like bedding, towels, kitchen equipment & firewood are all provided for you. So it’s pretty well kitted out.

Adam decided to feed us with copious amounts of sugary things to give his party a bit of a nostalgic kids party feel. Check out the spread:

I snuck things into my pockets & handbag when I went home as well! hehe

Only problem is that I have a bit of a (OK OK a big) sugar sensitivity, so I was tripping off my head on sugar and my brain was buzzing at supersonic speed…

How to spot Karisa on a sugar high: 1. Crazy eyes 2. Crazy claw hands to klap you with 3. Talks about random shit that makes absolutely zero sense. BEWARE.

The rest of the evening was a bit of a blur. I felt like that squirrel, Hammy, from over the Hedge:

Do you spot the uncanny resemblance to my pic above?

One thing I do remember though was that the Platteklip Wash house is an awesome spot. If you’re the hiking type – there’s also lots of hiking trails nearby. If you’re staying over in Cape Town but you want more of a “nature feel”, this will be perfect for you. Or if you are a Capetonian, just do what Adam did and book it out for a fat jol with your mates.

** The person Adam booked through was Sabrina Adams (sabrina.adams@sanparks.org) – Tel: 021 462 7861
xxx

Pure relaxation at the Equinox Spa

Posted on July 6, 2012 by Karisa

Last weekend I got treated to an amazing pampering experience at the gorgeous Equinox Spa in the equally gorgeous, 5 star Cape Royale hotel.

The best part? I got to take my friend Dani with me!

Now I’ve always loved the look of the Cape Royale hotel. The hotel was modelled after Place Vendôme which is a beautiful square in Paris which was built back in the late 17th / early 18th century, but is still in perfect shape today. The building immediately takes me back to an amazing holiday I had in France back in 2008 and also makes me think of all things romantic, opulent & indulgent. I’m a huge sucker for all things Parisian. I even cried during Woody Allen’s Midnight in Paris. Gawd that movie is beautiful… Anyhoo, I digress.

To get to the spa, you go one floor up from the hotel’s reception area. I loved the spa’s strong monochrome look, accented with luxurious wallpaper and small splashes of red:

The treatment rooms are elegant and incredibly cosy. You feel like you could easily just slip away into a deep sleep… dreaming of things like Dom Perignon, Crème Brûlée & Louis Vuitton bags… ah un pur bonheur.

Oooh and I was also madly in love with this mirror. Could totally picture it in my bathroom back at home. Too bad it was too big to fit into under my coat without looking suspicious. Bummer.

We were being spoilt with a 1 hr full body Chakra hot candle massage. Doesn’t that sound just amazing? But before our treatment, we first got to chill in the relaxation room where Botticelli’s beautiful Venus was looking after us:

At that point we were drinking water… cause we were trying to act all healthy and stuff.

This was followed by 60min of heaven on earth. About half way into the massage I was purrrrrring like a little kitten. Some might call that snoring… I say… whatever. After our massage we headed back to the relaxation room and this time we opted for the champers without any hesitation.

A well deserved treat

I have to say a huge thanks to the ladies at Equinox Spa for looking after us so well. I really can’t think of a better way to spend an afternoon. I was so relaxed, I could have been hit in the face with a rugby ball or something and I wouldn’t even have flinched.

But listen up now ladies (and gents), here’s a bit of an inside scoop: The massage we had is not on their official spa menu. You have to be in the know to get it. But now you are! The cost is R480 (that’s per person).

Then they are also currently running two really great specials at the moment:

2 for 1 massage for only R400
** 2 x 60min swedish massage
** Valid Mon – Thu from 10am to 4pm.
4 week chemical peel treatment for R2500 or 6 weeks for R3000
** 1 session per week, with SPF & 1 maintenance facial
** Nimue mild medical strenght
** 3 options: Glycolic, T.C.A or Chemibrasian
** Best to do these in winter as it makes your skin quite sun sensitive

To make a booking, call them on 021 430 0511 or email them at info@equinoxspa.co.za. Come on, treat yourself, you deserve it…

xxx

Need something to soothe your milkshake cravings?

Posted on June 18, 2012 by Karisa

From as far back as I can remember, my dad has always had this milkshake “quality check” technique. You see my dad, much like myself, is very serious about his sweet treats. I mean if you’re going to indulge, always indulge in only the best right.

So anyways, he would stick a straw in the shake, place it in the centre and then let go. If the straw fell to the side, it was a very bad sign. That meant you were in for a thin, watery mess and he would send it back immediately. But if the straw didn’t budge at all… well then you were looking at thick, tasty, creamy goodness in a glass. You know, the kind of milkshake that makes your heart smile. Ooooh yeah.

I recently tried out the much talked about milkshake offerings of the Fire & Ice Hotel in town. And I have to say, my dad would definitely approve.

Firstly I really love the hotel itself. It’s bright & fun with lots of weird and wonderful things to discover around every corner. If you’re ever there, do yourself a favour and check out the lifts. I know that probably sounds pretty boring, but trust me on this one. You might just end up taking a trip up Table Mountain or head under water to check out some sharks… But for the milkshakes, go take up a seat at the bar:

Then take your time and carefully read through their 27 milkshake flavours. That’s right, twen-ty-se-ven! And we’re not talking your regular chocolate, strawberry & lime flavours here people. (as much as I looooove lime) There’s options like the Turkish delight “Belly dancer”, “Tutti Fruity” mango, orange & tots, “Hot Hicky” chili chocolate, “Black & White” Oreo cookies and “Peanana Nutter” peanut and banana butter.

After quite a bit of deliberation I finally settled on “That Blows” which is a bubblegum flavoured shake. Yeah yeah, I know – not the most creative. But I was having a huge nostalgic moment because I went through a huge bubblegum phase as a kid. Bjorn went for the “Choc Rock Climber” which is yummy Ferreo Rocher flavoured. Now check these babies out:

Hit me baby!

As big as these are, they are only what is referred to as a “half pint” and will cost you R35 each. A full pint is R10 more and is MASSIVE. You can bet your ass the full pint will put you straight into a milkshake coma.

Next time my folks are in town, we’ll be heading straight here for sure. This has set a new standard for the Nicholls family shake test.

xxx

Crystal Towers is quite a stunner

Posted on June 13, 2012 by Karisa

I recently attended a birthday party which was held at the Crystal Towers hotel in Century City. This hotel is part of the African Pride pride group which also owns the very fancy 15 on Orange in town and one of my old favourites, the Arabella out in Kleinmond.

Being a “town snob”, I wasn’t expecting too much from a hotel based out in the “burbs”, but I must admit it totally blew me away. Let me give you my version of a visual tour…

This is the impressive entrance hall:

This is a 24 hour deli style dining area:

Yes, you heard me – open 24 hrs a day!

Here’s another dining area – it’s upstairs, right by the pool:

I looooove white decor like this…

Then, the kick ass pool itself:

It was too dark for my camera to pick it up, but the views from the pool are insane.

This is one of their lounge areas:

I thought the retro 70s airport lounge look was really cool.

And then last, but certainly not least – I introduce to you: The Ruby Bar!

Seriously… how beautiful is that!? And boys – I’m sure you’re already totally turned on by the massive TV which is showing the rugby.

Now I didn’t get to see the main restaurant and the rooms. But from the pictures on their website, it’s looks pretty damn awesome.

This hotel is a serious visual treat and I really can’t wait to go back for some cocktails by the pool in summer…. hmmmm…

xxx

My Love Affair with Cape Town…

Just random fun in my mother city

Category Archives: Places to stay