Savouring South African Sumptuousness

It is a riot of colours. Intense blue sky, purple lavender flowers, maple and oak leaves, ranging from flaming red to bright orange, marking the onset of autumn in the Southern Hemisphere, and of course innumerable shades of green, with thousands of trees, shrubs and herbs all around.

And to find all that within a drive of less than an hour from a major city in a relatively developed country makes the entire experience all the more unique and almost incredible, except that I was actually living it.

On a visit as hosted media partner of World Travel Market Africa, one of the leading African travel trade shows, I have just arrived here at Erinvale Hotel and Spa, a luxuriously-sprawling resort set in a postcard backdrop, surrounded by the majestic Hottentots Holland Mountains and rubbing shoulders with some of the top wine farms of South Africa.

Erinvale estate’s buildings dates back to over 300 years

Erinvale is set on a parcel of land that measured over 800 acres and had been acquired in 1690s by the then Governor of the Cape. Though most it was used as a vineyard, the land was also used to construct a mansion for the governor and his guests.

Almost 350 years later, a significant part of this farmstead continues to stand in a near-perfect condition, with a strong resemblance to the original structures that had been built, most of them in the traditional Cape Dutch architecture that was widely used in this part of South Africa.

Even today, the outlines of this architecture are clearly visible even from afar, looking at the well-preserved and very well-maintained structure few can guess that the building actually dates back to over 300 years.

The hotel has undergone gradual and natural evolution that gradually transformed it into the elegant five-star boutique hotel of today.

The L-shaped thatched rooms were constructed within the footprint of the original stables and the Georgian-style block was built within the footprint of the original stable barn. The smaller conference centre consisting of the Birch and Oak Rooms used to be the old tractor shed and the large conference centre was the old pigsty.

Over the decades, with a fair number of changes in the ownership, the original parcel of land has been divided into many parts and Erinvale Hotel and Spa occupies a part of the original 800 acres. Yet, its sprawl is big enough so that guests can spend hours exploring the terrain and yet not complete.

Indeed, space is in no short supply here and not just out in the open, it is equally and pleasantly present in the rooms and suites which have been tastefully decorated, but without being ostentatious. One of the highlights of the room is the collection of paintings.

The bathrooms, too, are not only very well-appointed, but are also large, almost as big as the room in a decent hotel in Europe.

Each of the rooms at Erinvale comes with its own private patio

Though everything is pleasant and beautiful here, for me, the cherry on the icing was the patio. Each of the rooms at Erinvale comes with its own private patio, covered with creepers, and opening on towards the lawns, where one can relish the view of lush greenery, sprinkled with lavender flowers.

As it is autumn in the Southern Hemisphere, the fall colours have already begun making their appearance on the numerous oaks and other tall trees, adding to the appeal of the hotel. And towering above it all stand the majestic Hottentots Holland Mountains, which appear to be the guardians of the hotel and its guests.

I was surprised to learn that despite the enormity of the Estate, Erinvale has only 56 rooms, ensuring not only privacy and peace, but also the kind of silent natural ambience, where the only sounds are the sounds produced by nature, be it the leaves rustling in the wind, the chirping of birds or squeaks of some animals that the humans share the Estate with.

Erinvale has only 56 rooms, ensuring not only privacy and peace, but also the kind of silent natural ambience

The hotel is also very well-situated for those keen to explore a wide range of attractions that this part of South Africa possesses. Be it for some quality wine tourism options in the Cape Winelands and Stellenbosch or to enjoy some high-quality and high-adrenaline adventures along the Whale Coast and Garden Route.

Cape Whale Coast, a pristine coastal belt, is flanked by majestic mountains on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other. The entire belt is one of the best-known parts of the world for whale sightings, and more so in the Walker Bay area between Hermanus and Gansbaai. During the season, from June to December, whales swim into the bay to mate and give birth, and give onlookers a show with their breaching theatrics.

Another famed route around the region is the Garden Route, that runs along the coast and it, too, comes with its own numerous sandy, white beaches, lakes and forests, rivers and millions of wildflowers in full bloom.

Exploring Culinary Heritage

Erinvale Hotel comes with three distinct restaurants, with Stefans being its signature restaurant offering an intimate fine dining experience with a Tabled’hôte Menu prepared by Executive Chef Stefan Bekker that is a mélange of international and local culinary influences. The meals served here are for gourmands as they come with two options, a seven-course meal or a 10-course one!

Cape Town is a famed wine country

Another restaurant at Erinvale, Magnolia Social Dining Lounge is more of a place for social interaction than anything else. It offers some of the best snacks and regional fare, again prepared by Chef Bekker. It comes with a delectable mix of friendly service, delicious, affordable food, quality wine and a laid-back atmosphere. The third dining option here is Oak Terrace that serves alfresco dinners on balmy evenings under the stars.

After walking around and discovering some of the huge estate around us, we head to Magnolia, one of the three restaurants in Erinvale, for dinner.

Being in Cape Town’s famed wine country, it obvious the dinner begins with some of the local produce, a white wine this time, to go with the dinner which is a rich salad with cherry tomatoes, burrata cheese and olives along with some snack foods like dumplings and light burgers.

The next morning I was up at dawn, and taking with me a cup of hot tea, I headed straight towards the patio, relishing my hot beverage in the cool weather as much as I enjoyed the views and smells of freshness that abound all around me.

But then soon I had to head out for my next adventure that was visiting the Table Mountain, the iconic site of Cape Town, but more on that later. After exploring the top, which is accessed through a cable car, we descend back and head to the next equally exciting activity on the day’s agenda.

We visit Lourensford Wine Estate, not too far from Erinvale, where we get to sample a variety of wines that are produced on the Estate. Lourensford Estate also offers opportunities for celebratory events to be organised on its vast terrain.

Returning from Lourensford Estate, we realised that our discovery of Cape Town and its environs was fast coming to its conclusion and then our hosts suggested that we should unwind for a while as the week had been extremely hectic and tiring.

Unwinding at the Spa

They suggested that we should experience the spa at our hotel and I jumped at their suggestion. Set in a small building, close to my room, the spa was as delightfully and tastefully done as our rooms, surrounded with the greenery and colourful flowers that had already begun to relax our minds.

Heading to a freshly-made and fresh-smelling treatment room, I opted for an upper body deep-tissue massage that the deft hands of the masseuse delivered with such perfection that even before the mandated time of 30 minutes was up, I was feeling completely relaxed and refreshed as if she had managed to drain all the tiredness out of my body with her firm strokes.

Erinvale had been acquired in 1690s by the then Governor of the Cape

They say that one should keep the best things for the last, be it the dessert in a meal or indeed a spa treatment to conclude a week that was as hectic and tiring as it was productive and entertaining.

It was almost dusk by the time I reached back to my room to pack as we were leaving early the next morning. Yet, I preferred to linger outside in the gardens as long as possible.

Keen to retain these marvellous memories for much longer than a few days, I take in frequent deep breaths of the cold breeze and keep myself from blinking as I attempted to freeze the vivid views, with innumerable colours, in my long-term memory. I was certainly headed back from Erinvale with the memories of a riot of amazing moments!