It’s the most wonderful time of the year! This saying may be more apt during the festive season, but now that Spring has officially sprung, I think it applies in this case as well. Old Man Winter is heading for hibernation until next year and thankfully, warmer days lie ahead.
With the recent much needed rains we have received in the Western Cape area, there has never been a better time to get out there and explore our beautiful country. The landscape has changed dramatically during the last few weeks. It has gone from quite drab to fab and is bursting with vivid and vibrant colours – green fields dotted with bright yellow canola fields in the Overberg are simply spectacular and call for a photo op.
DID YOU KNOW? September is also Tourism Month in South Africa and what better way to celebrate then with a road trip or three to explore our incredibly gorgeous country? 😉
The Spring season could not have begun in a more fantastic way as my family and I enjoyed a fun road trip, followed by a fabulous stay at five-star Fancourt. Staying at this world-renowned premier leisure resort, situated in the heart of the lush Garden Route, has been on my travel wish list for as long as I can remember. I was thrilled to bits to have a chance to experience the impeccable hospitality, sheer luxury, beautifully landscaped gardens and so much more that this elegant resort has to offer.
Many people associate Fancourt as a top class golfing destination, boasting a choice of three Gary Player designed golf courses that are all ranked in the Top 15 in South Africa, as well as a Golf Academy. Whilst this is true, there is so much more to Fancourt which makes it the perfect family holiday destination. We were soon to find out for ourselves.
The drive from Cape Town to Fancourt along the N2 highway takes about five hours, depending on the amount of traffic and how many stops you decide to make. There are quite a few farm stalls selling all sorts of yummy goodies and gifts. Stopping at Ou Meul Bakkery in Riviersonderend is a must, especially if you are a coffee lover and enjoy a tasty homemade pie – these are legendary! They also sell a delicious assortment of breads, pastries, olive oils, biltong and more and the lovely gift shop will satisfy your retail therapy cravings.
I discovered Baleia Wines & Olive Oil purely by chance about two years ago, and this remains one of my favourite stops along this route. The beautiful interior of the wine tasting room will soon have you feeling relaxed and warm beside the fireplace. If you are fortunate to be there at the right time, Master Winemaker, Abraham de Klerk, is only too happy to chat about their various white and red wines. I enjoyed a wine tasting of some of their new vintages and could not resist buying their superb Syrah 2016, as well as their Extra Virgin Olive Oil (R88 per 375ml bottle).
La Bella Deli & Restaurant is situated next to the cellar and is a great spot to enjoy some fresh and tasty country cooking, either inside on a cold winter’s day beside the fire, or outside while your kids run around and play on the jungle gym. Stock up on all sorts of delicious goodies, wine, gifts and more in their shop.
FANCOURT HOTEL
My heart was definitely beating faster as we entered the gorgeous grounds of Fancourt. To be honest, I could barely contain my excitement and pure elation!
Warmly greeted by the valet parking staff, we were shown through to Reception where Nadine offered us a glass of water or MCC (yes please to bubbles!), along with a friendly welcome and completed our check in. It was all done so efficiently and we were soon transported by golf cart, much to my husband and son’s delight, to our One-Bedroom Suite which is part of the Fancourt Hotel complex. The Manor House is another accommodation option available on the resort premises.
We were fortunate to be placed in a Suite near to the main hub of the resort where you will find the Sports & Leisure Centre, excellent La Cantina Restaurant and the heavenly Spa.
OUR ACCOMMODATION
Situated upstairs, the spacious One-Bedroom Suite offers a separate living area and is suitable for both business and leisure travellers. Blending modern luxury and classic elegance, the Suite has everything one can possibly need during your stay. A comfy single bed had been made up for Daniel in the living area, while hubby and I had a massive king-size bed in the main room. Each Suite includes a private balcony or patio and shows off the breathtaking views of Fancourt’s manicured estate. Daniel was especially impressed that he had his own TV and that the free Wi-Fi was super fast. Read here for more info on the various room types and amenities available.
While the boys settled in and made their way to the Sports & Leisure Centre, I met up with Michelle van der Westhuizen, Fancourt’s Marketing Manager, for a brief site inspection before our hosted dinner at Henry White’s at the enchanting Manor House.
Henry White’s does not accommodate children, so we pre-arranged a kid-sitter for the evening. We do not often make use of a kid-sitter and I must admit, I was a tad anxious but there was no need to worry. Natalie promptly arrived at 7pm and after introducing her to Daniel, we set off for The Manor House for an evening of fine dining (baby-sitting incurs a fee).
HENRY WHITE’S – AN INDULGENT FINE DINING AFFAIR
Our exquisite gastronomic experience began with a warm welcome by Michelle before being escorted to the lounge area for a pre-dinner drink. Whilst chatting beside the fireplace, I took a moment to take in my sumptuous surroundings. Luxurious sophistication abounds, yet the setting is very relaxed. I was looking forward to seeing the restaurant’s renovated interior that was completed by Jo Pieters Design Studio, a local designer based in the Garden Route.
Synonymous with culinary excellence, Henry White’s takes its name from one of Fancourt’s original owners. The recent introduction of an exciting dining concept has proved to be a popular one. Diners are given the chance to select four courses at a set price. This allows you to enjoy a total dining experience with snacks upon arrival, starters, soups, sorbets, main courses and desserts. A word of advice – make sure you arrive hungry!
A man with a great sense of humour and dry wit, TP, the Sous Chef, took us through the various menu items and advised us of his suggestions. Executive Chef Desmond Morgan is known for using local and sustainable produce and sourcing and supporting local farms and suppliers. He was not there that evening, but Michelle assured us we were in very good hands with Sous Chef TP at the helm.
We began with an Amuse-Bouche, followed by a delicious Duo Of Karoo Venison for me and Japanese Style Beef for hubby. The attention to detail and beautiful plating is incredible, along with the heavenly flavours that tantalize your tastebuds and please all your senses.
The Exotic Mushroom Soup was simply superb and I do not think that I have tasted a more delectable mushroom soup. Each spoonful was an absolute delight!
For our Main Course, hubby chose the Warthog Shank while I opted for the Fresh Fish served with a creamy balsamic, garlic sauce and chargrilled cauliflower. Once again, the plating was on point and as far as taste goes – delectably delicious!
Having won a number of Diners Club International Awards over the years for their impeccable wine list, most recently the Diamond Award (2017) and Best Regional Diamond Award (2017), you can be assured of an impressive selection of local and imported wines, both modestly and expensively priced, as well as established and new labels.
My sweet ending was called Passionfruit and Boerpampoen Duo. This unusual but heavenly mix of passionfruit gel, jelly jube, ganache and pampoen (pumpkin) puree, totally blew me away. Refreshing and light with perfectly balanced flavours, you should definitely try this when you dine at Henry White’s.
The Artisan Cheese Platter is a great choice, especially if you do not have a sweet tooth.
This exquisite dining experience ticks all the right boxes and is not to be missed. Expect impeccable service, delicious, elegant fare with colourful flavour combinations and an impressive wine list in a luxurious yet relaxed ambience; a true feast for all senses that is an unforgettable experience. Bookings are essential and no under 16’s are permitted at The Manor House.
LIVING LA DOLCE VITA AT LA CANTINA!
After a wonderful night’s sleep, we awoke to a glorious first day of Spring! We could not have asked for a more stunning start to the season.
With lingering thoughts of the amazing dinner at Henry White’s the previous evening, we made our way to La Cantina, Fancourt’s breakfast restaurant of choice. Stepping in to the vibrant Mediterranean-style restaurant with its traditional Italian menu, my eyes immediately fell upon their fresh and generous buffet spread. You are spoilt for choice with a seemingly endless array of warm and cold food options.
Get your day started the healthy way with a selection of yoghurts with fresh berries or berry compote, breakfast cereals, muesli and freshly sliced and whole seasonal fruits. Their berry smoothies are simply to die for! Go continental with an assortment of smoked fish, in-house cured meats and a moreish South African artisan cheese selection.
The bread and pastry selection offers freshly baked breads, pastries, croissants and muffins that taste so good with homemade preserves and spreads. And then there is the delectable warm food buffet and plated hot breakfast. My personal favourite – Classic Eggs Benedict with Salmon that was perfectly prepared and oh so scrumptious! Washed down with a Lavazza cappuccino and one or two Mimosas (if not, why not?), we thoroughly enjoyed our breakfast and were ready to begin exploring Fancourt.
Do try their Italian menu for lunch or dinner. La Cantina is a family-friendly culinary restaurant that offers something for everyone with a delectable range of homemade pastas, succulent steaks, meat, fish and decadent desserts. Their extensive wine list will keep wine connoisseurs very happy. They also boast what are said to be the tastiest, thin-based, wood-fired pizzas in town. We were definitely going to have some during our stay.
STAY ACTIVE AT THE SPORTS & LEISURE CENTRE
It is no secret that Fancourt is a golf lover’s paradise and features three magnificent courses. But did you know that there are many sports and leisure activities for non-golfers? A few of these include swimming (there are a total of four swimming pools), tennis, fishing, hiking and running trails and a well-equipped gym. With all these choices, you may have a tough time trying to decide what to do!
I could have happily lazed on a deckchair beside the inviting swimming pool, but after our large breakfast, we chose to ride around the Estate on bicycles. Hubby and I both chose the fun vintage turquoise bicycles, while Daniel rode a mountain bike. The resort itself has 2.5km, 5km and 10km paved leisure trails.
We had such fun riding around and discovering the Estate, stopping every now and then to catch our breath and take some photos of the picturesque scenery. We realized that we had never cycled together as a family. What an amazing place to create special memories.
Worried your kids may get bored? Fancourt has got you covered when it comes to entertaining kids of all ages. Back at the Sports & Leisure Centre, the Trendy Teen Lounge is equipped with gaming facilities, table tennis, foosball and a pool table.
Our son was quite happy to hang around with some new friends and even though this area is unsupervised (there are a few staff members that manage the Centre), we were comfortable to leave him there for a short time while we enjoyed a drink at The Club Lounge nearby. At the time of our stay, there were no lifeguards on duty, so he was not allowed to swim unsupervised.
How cool is this Juke Box in The Club Lounge?
A perfect spot at The Club Lounge to celebrate the start of Spring!
The Fancourt Kidz Club offers fully supervised activities for children aged 3-10 and is one of the cutest kids clubs I have ever seen. Parents can rest easy knowing that the trained and experienced team will take care of their little ones and entertain them with fun activities such as arts and crafts, board games and nature walks. There is also a fully-fenced outdoor jungle gym, along with a host of other outdoor activities.
EXPERIENCE ULTIMATE BLISS AT THE SPA
Whether or not you are a fan of luxurious spa treatments, a visit to The Spa at Fancourt is a must! Recently winning the award for the ‘Best Hotel Spa in South Africa’, prepare for a spa experience unlike any other.
I was treated to an amazing massage thanks to Spa Therapist Gugu. In a short while, she managed to undo all the tension in my back and shoulders. Needless to say, I was feeling super relaxed afterwards. Featuring eleven individually decorated treatment rooms with a wide range of skin and body treatments, a Sauna and Steam Room, on-site Physiotherapy and Hair Salon, they also have a Tepidarium. It houses heated seats that gently raise the body’s temperature to improve circulation and promote a deep sense of relaxation. There are a number of vents which release different essential oils at five minute intervals, so you are treated to a heat therapy session along with an aromatherapy experience.
It looked really interesting, but I was headed towards the stunning heated Roman Bath and Jacuzzi. I had read and heard a lot about this amazing Spa feature and could not wait to spend some time in the calming, thirty one degree water. I had the heavenly Roman Bath and Jacuzzi all to myself for about thirty minutes which was pure bliss. This tranquil space with panoramic views of the Outeniqua Mountains is the perfect place to relax and unwind (adults area only).
Feeling utterly blissed out, I met my boys back at our Suite where we chose to relax some more and enjoy the glorious sunset from our patio. We decided to stay in that evening and ordered some delicious pizzas from La Cantina. Our son, the pizza lover and connoisseur, gave his a 9/10 score. Bravissimo La Cantina!
TIME TO SAY GOODBYE
Sunday morning arrived all grey and drizzly, and not one of us felt like leaving after a fun-filled and blissful two night stay. But first – breakfast at La Cantina!
Tiffany, Assistant Manager of La Cantina, and Cheryl from Guest Relations, came by for a chat and to wish us a safe journey home. I had the opportunity to stop by The Manor House for a quick viewing with Tiffany. It was interesting to learn that she had recently begun working at Fancourt. Based on her lovely demeanor and professionalism, I thought she had been there for many years.
The exquisite restaurant decor at Henry White’s.
What I appreciated the most about the staff members is that they welcome you with open arms and offer genuine hospitality. Nothing is too much trouble and they go out of their way to assist you with whatever you may need. This creates a very relaxed and friendly ambience throughout the resort which is not always found in high-end establishments.
While there is much to see and do at Fancourt for the entire family, there are also many attractions in and around George. I would highly recommend a longer stay so that you can experience more of this lovely resort and the surrounding area.
Fancourt is more than just a place to rest your head. It is truly special and the perfect destination to create fantastic family memories whilst enjoying a fun and relaxing holiday.
Have you stayed at Fancourt before? What was your experience like and what did you enjoy most about your stay? Or is this wonderful resort still on your travel wish list? I would love to know, so please feel free to tell me in the comments section below 🙂
Yours in Travel, Food and Wine xoxo
Please note – I was kindly hosted by Fancourt and Lesley Simpson Communications. All views, content and images are my own unless otherwise indicated. Any prices mentioned were correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
