South Africa – Queen Victoria Hotel, Cape Town
Queen Victoria
Hotel: Queen Victoria Hotel is in a prime Cape Town
The new, discreet sister property to Cape Town’s Dock House
is tucked away being that hotel in a quiet mews away from the bustle of the
harbour development. The Queen Victoria is a study in understated elegance
throughout, a cocoon of soothing grey and white with just a dash of the most
subtle royal purple. People- watching from a deep- purple velvet armchair in
the triple- volume atrium, it is obvious this sexy urban sanctuary has proved
popular with locals as well as visitors. Dash restaurant (it is named after
Queen Victoria’s favourite spaniel) is hung with enormous paintings by local
artists and the distinctive Gregor Jenkin tables and chairs by Moorgas &
Sons showcase the best of local furniture design. Chef Jamie Dempster’s menu
has been much acclaimed, particularly the chicory, pickled pear stilton and
roasted hazelnut salad with sorrel dressing, which is nothing less than
artistry on a plate. The Presidential Suite, with superb views from its
terrace, is the best- kept secret on the V&A Waterfront. All the shops of
the Waterfront are just a five- minute walk away, or you can hop on a hotel
bike and explore further; the spa and pool at Dock House are available to
guests at the Queen Victoria.
Queen-Victoria-Hotel-Guest-Room
When to go
September to April; February is usually the warmest month.
Room to book
The Presidential Suite or Junior Mountain Suite 1205 with a
balcony and mountain view; 1311 is an Executive suite on two floors and 1305
can be linked to the Presidential Suite via a private lobby. 00 27 21 418 1466;
www.newmarkhotels.com. Doubles from $381
Tanzania – Singita Explore, Singita Grumeti Reserves
Singita Explore,
Singita Grumeti Reserves
In 2002, the American financier and philanthropist Paul
Tudor Jones leased 350,000 acres of land adjoining the Serengeti to create a
private game reserve. In June 2011, onto his three opulent safari camps
(Saskwa, Sabora and Faru Faru) he added a less decadent and more private
option: Singita Explore. The camp is theoretically mobile) although its takes
two days to set up), so can be pitched in various spots at different times of
year. Tents are roomy khaki, chrome and leather constructions, whose elegant design
was inspired by classic Land Rovers, with very comfortable proper beds, as well
as bucket showers and flush WCs. A cool, Calvin Klein- style mess 0 tent offers
respite from the heat, with fans, linen sofas, a mini- library and a glamorous
cocktail bar twinkling with silver shakers and crystal decanters. Because
Explore can only be booked by a single group, its is extremely private, with
attentive service from the chef (who turns out exquisite dishes, from iced
gazpacho to lemon pudding with crème Anglaise), camp staff (who deliver
steaming espressos to hammocks with a smile) and a top- notch guide who will
drive guests wherever they fence on- road or off- road, day or night. Downsides
are the expense and lack of intimacy (the walls are canvas, and tents set close
together). The main lodge, Saskwa, has a spa, pool and tennis court for all
Singita guests’ use, as well as 18 well- schooled horses for those who fancy
getting really up close and personal with the game.
Singita
Explore is a return to the very essence of safari.
When to go
June to August, when it is cool and dry and the wildebeest
migration often passes through.
Room to book
The tent furthest from the mess- tent, for privacy. 00 27 21
671 6776; www.singita.com. Doubles from
US$ 1,850 all- inclusive
United Arab Emirates – Rocco Forte Hotel Abu Dhabi
United Arab
Emirates – Rocco Forte Hotel Abu Dhabi
The blue- green, wave- shaped shaft of Sir Rocco Forte’s
first hotel in the Middle East shimmers proudly in an otherwise low- rise
district, just five minutes’ drive from the city’s private jet airport. Inside,
Olga Polizzi’s design continues the ocean theme: fish- shaped blown bottles
hang, like a frozen shoal, in the lobby; bubbles float in the Perspex room
handles. But the attention to detail does not end at the tide line. Fort’s
focus on quality service rings out loud throughout his Arabian outpost: staff members
greet you in the corridor; cocktail- makers shake, slice and pour with more
determination than Bond mid- chase; butlers are available to unpack your
suitcase and pour a bath. The hotel is a 15- minute drive from the beach and predominantly
aimed at business travelers, but local families frolic in the large outdoor
pool. The 15- treatment- room spa has another four pools (for him and her),
Moroccan hammams, Technogym and classes ranging from sort yoga to capoeira.
Take the lift to the left of the lobby for a 30- second tour of some of Rocco’s
restaurants: Oceana Grill serves breakfast followed by seafood; Rouge is a hip
Asian venue serving dishes such as Chinese wagyu’ Blue Bar sits on top, a high-
ceilinged bar looking out to Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. The Bournemouth- born
hotelier plans further hotels across the region: with Abu Dhabi as his Gulf
showroom, the rest should follow in quick succession.
Rocco Forte Hotel
Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhab, United Arab Emirates
When to go
Anytime between October and mid- May. The searing summer
heat drains Abu Dhabi of its appeal (and people) the rest of the year.
Room to book
If possible, a roomy Grand Suite- mainly for its Gordo
Gekko- worthy bath TCs. 00 971 617 0000; www.roccofortehotels.com. Doubles from
$ 290
