South Africa, Africa (continent)July 18, 2019, by Maartje

5 x uber-romantic Honeymooning in and around Cape Town

Wedding
South Africa, Africa (continent), July 18, 2019, by Maartje

5 x uber-romantic Honeymooning in and around Cape Town

A book that we are pretty damn proud of, to be honest. You can order it here, and below a sneak peek from the book, with the best of the best at honeymoon level.

Emily Moon River Lodge, Plettenberg

Emily Moon River Lodge, Plettenberg

“Oh Emily, I have found paradise! As I stand here overlooking the beautiful wetlands and winding waters of the Bitou river I see you in every bird that flies and every tree that bends in the breeze. Come Emily, paradise is all yours.” The British Harry Malard wrote this in 1870 to his beloved Emily, whom he had left behind at home in England, and who was not allowed to follow him until he had found paradise. At least, that is the romantic history of Emily Moon, a hotel and restaurant on the hills of Plettenberg Bay. 

In 2005, the couple Simon and Diane Valentine bought the site then known as the dilapidated Harry Malard River Lodge. Son Mark, one of 'The country's largest art dealers in Johannesburg, redecorated everything with great taste: a bit of luxury that smells of old money, a touch of a bygone era. Little House on the Prairiestyle and a dash of hip Bali. Since then, the ten small mini paradises, ranging from lodges for two people to... family suites, rented almost constantly. And rightly so. If you were unable to book a guest bed, have dinner at the Emily restaurant's by Emily Moon. Unforgettable. emilymoon.co.za

Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel, Cape Town Central

Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel, Cape Town Central

The Pink Lady of Cape Town, a household name at home and abroad, opened in 1899 and since then the pink-painted hotel has attracted nothing but well-coiffed travelers and local residents in sparkling heels or smart suits. The service is always impeccable, the interior could easily be on the cover of the British magazine House & Garden (one of the finest interior design magazines), the surrounding garden is perfectly maintained and the location (you arrive at the hotel via a palm tree-lined driveway) is perfect – in the heart of Cape Town. Here, at the Mount Nelson Hotel, you can feel that Cape Town was once English territory; It doesn't get more British. Not tastier either. Nor more discreet. You can choose to reserve a room, good idea, but the star attraction of the hotel is the classic Afternoon Tea, served in the colonial hotel bar. The tea (read: champagne) tastes delicious with the perfect, homemade scones and ditto clotted cream, to start with. You lick your fingers. Which also applies to the rest of the Afternoon Tea menu. The wallpaper also gets a lick at the end of the afternoon program: the entire hotel was restyled at the beginning of 2018 and since then it has been even more beautiful than it already was. In short: tea (sort of) and sweet cake? Mount Nelson. mountnelson.co.za

Blackheath Lodge, Cape Town (Sea Point)

Blackheath Lodge, Cape Town (Sea Point)

The Blackheath Lodge is the kind of place where you want to take up residence for good. Close the door behind you and never go home again. Not least thanks to the good care of the managers of the accommodation: they are very concerned that their guests are completely relaxed once inside. Don't think about anything anymore, it's done for you. The lodge is intimate and cozy, as if you were living in your own private home. The style is Victorian and, importantly, an overnight stay is stunningly affordable. You will find Blackheath Lodge on a quiet road directly below Signal Hill, in the Seapoint district, which used to be mainly a neighborhood where locals lived, but nowadays more and more nice restaurants and bars are popping up here too. If you plan to stay for a while, ask if there is a room with a kitchenette - ideal: the benefits of both a hotel and an apartment. Another plus: Blackheath is actually more of an oversized bed and breakfast. The extensive and delicious fresh breakfast is also included. By the way, the owners have another location in Hermanus. One Marine Drive it's called, and if you didn't know any better, you'd think Alice (the one from Wonderland) lives there. Google it. blackheathlodge.co.za 

POD Hotel Camps Bay

POD Hotel Camps Bay

Just off the main beach road Camps Bay, you know, the most popular beach in Cape Town (personally we like Clifton 4 and Glen Beach even better) is the hip, sleek, small-scale boutique hotel POD Camps Bay. There are only 17 rooms and the entire hotel is sustainably built from A to Z. That didn't make it any less beautiful, or comfortable. All water in the hotel comes from its own source (filtered rainwater) and everything from snacks to breakfast is sourced locally. The nice thing is the small outdoor area with the elongated swimming pool where you can see both Table Mountain and the beach from your hanging chair. And the beach bags in the room, including a huge beach towel for taking to the beach.

The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa, Cape Town

The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa, Cape Town

Here we go again, but still: never underestimate the power of a good classic. It Apostles Hotel and Spa in Cape Town is known as one of the more expensive in its category, and you can only reach the hotel by car as it is located a bit further away from the city (quite a bit further). Once inside you won't feel anything anymore: you will be treated like royalty. The coastal road between Camps Bay and Llandudno, on which you will find the hotel, is a protected area and so it is undeveloped and of beautiful natural beauty. Until you turn the bend and you catch your first glimpse of the Twelve Apostles, named after the Twelve Apostles mountain range that runs parallel to the coast. The hotel was built into the mountainside and all rooms are flamboyant spaces with an old-world glamor and with views of the sea or mountains.

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