Bucket Travel: Victoria Falls Safari Spa

Victoria Falls Safari Spa manager Avalon van Leent is excited to be bringing a new standard to spas in Victoria Falls and putting Zimbabwe’s leading tourist attraction on the map as a wellness destination.

“It’s exciting because it’s the first purpose-built spa in Victoria Falls and marks a new milestone in the wellness industry in Zimbabwe, with Victoria Falls now catching up with the rest of the world,” Avalon said.

Victoria Falls Safari Spa, nestled in peaceful indigenous woodland, rich in birdlife, with the occasional bushbuck or warthog passing by, will feature three stand-alone treatment rooms, and a main area with a hair and make-up studio, a polish bar, a splash pool and café. 

The African tented safari camp style spa will offer massages, facials, manicure and pedicures, as well as many other treatments, with mini options available for children. Its offerings will include half day and full day packages and wellness weekends.

“People are very much about creating memories when they travel, so spa treatments, which can be enjoyed with friends or your partner, will be a wonderful way to do this,” Avalon, 36, said. 

She believes Victoria Falls Safari Spa could potentially extend stays in Victoria Falls, as it adds another element to the destination.  

Born in Masvingo, Avalon studied Holistic and Spa Therapies with Camelot International in Johannesburg, where she gained a CIDESCO qualification, the world’s most prestigious qualification for Aesthetics and Beauty Therapy.

After her studies, Avalon joined a 5-star cruise ship called The Quest, part of the Yachts of Seabourn, to gain international experience and travel the world as a spa therapist, before moving to Australia and gaining further experience in the wellness industry.

But it was always her dream to return home, bringing her knowledge and experience to Zimbabwe, and after she and her husband Martijn’s travel plans were disrupted during the Covid-19 pandemic they moved to Victoria Falls.  

Avalon will head up a team of four therapists when Victoria Falls Safari Spa, which will use all natural, plant-based Africology and Cashmere & Co. products, opens on November 1.

Bucket Travel: MSC Brings Two Cruise Ships to SA

MSC Cruises – one of the leading global cruise lines– has reaffirmed that they will be bringing two ships to South Africa’s shores for the 2022/2023 cruise season to. This will mark the first time that two MSC Cruises ships of different classes, the MSC Orchestra – which is part of the Musica class and MSC Sinfonia – which is part of the Lirica class, will be deployed in the country simultaneously providing additional cruise capacity to cater for the demand for cruise holidays in South Africa.

The 2021/2022 local cruise season saw MSC Cruises carry in excess of 40 000 guests to various destinations with new Health & Safety regulations to ensure the safety of all guests. As we prepare for the 2022/2023 local cruise season, we are pleased to confirm that both unvaccinated & vaccinated guests are now able to cruise. At present we can also confirm that :

• vaccinated guests are no longer required to provide a Covid-19 test before departure 
• unvaccinated guests 5 years and older are still required to provide a negative Covid-19 PCR test, 48 hours prior to departure in accordance with the local government regulations in South Africa 
• children under age 5 are not required to provide a COVID-19 test

Continued investment in Africa’s tourist industry

MSC Cruises’ plan to bring two ships to South Africa in 2022 is part of the company’s commitment to investing in South Africa and African tourism at large. The cruise line’s focus to improving South Africa’s tourist infrastructure has been particularly noteworthy in its development of the Durban port terminal over the past few years. The R300-million terminal was designed, developed, constructed and financed by the KwaZulu Cruise Terminal Consortium, in partnership with the South African chapter of MSC Cruises and empowerment investment entity Africa Armada Consortium.

MSC Orchestra

This project is a significant undertaking for the consortium and represents MSC Cruises’ commitment to the South African economy. The terminal will help promote the country’s image among cruise passengers and provide jobs to many citizens. In addition to our commitment, our investment has included infrastructure development in Mozambique – a popular cruising destination for South Africans – and continued collaboration with the Namibian government, as Walvis Bay is one of the ports that MSC Cruises sails to. There are also knock-on benefits for the tourist industries in the destinations that MSC Cruises sails to, which have been enhanced by increased passenger volumes.

More itineraries offering more cruise holiday options for South Africans

MSC Orchestra, a well-known vessel by local cruisers will return to South African waters in November 2022, with approximately 40 sailings to Mozambique and to local destinations. Alongside MSC Orchestra is MSC Sinfonia that will operate approximately 22 sailings out of Cape Town to Namibia and other various local destinations. The itineraries will vary from two to seven-night cruises, offering guests a wider choice of options to book their cruise holiday. The ships will alternate routes, providing South African cruisers with a wider choice of options to suit their holiday needs with more cruise destinations and packages on offer.

“We are delighted to be bringing two ships to South Africa this upcoming season and we reaffirm our commitment to affordable and safe cruise holidays for South Africans” explains Ross Volk, MD for MSC Cruises South Africa. “Our dedication to playing our part in the recovery of the tourism sector in South Africa, has made it possible for us to create a second cruising hub in Cape Town. MSC Sinfonia will be permanently positioned in Cape Town for the duration of the cruise season and will serve our guests seeking a more cultural experience with our cruises to Namibia. For guests wanting to explore more of our South African destinations we have cruises to Mossel Bay and for guests simply wanting to take time to rest and relax, our “no-destination” cruises at sea provide the perfect getaway to enjoy the Indian and Atlantic Ocean sunrises and sunsets.” continues Volk.

MSC Sinfonia

Cruises as popular holiday ‘destinations’

Cruises are increasingly becoming an appealing holiday choice for South Africans as a hassle-free, safe and all-inclusive vacation with food, accommodation and most activities included in the cruise fare. The diversity of the offerings appeal to holiday makers of all ages, both local and international tourists alike. Guests wishing to experience the delights of an MSC Cruises holiday in the 2022/2023 season can already book any cruise on any of these 2 vessels.

“We continuously strive to bring bigger and better offerings to this country, enriching our itineraries and making cruising more accessible, to more South Africans who are realising that a cruise is an affordable, convenient and exciting holiday option,” concludes Volk.

Bucket Travel: MSC Cruises Milestones

MSC Cruises today took delivery of MSC Grandiosa from Chantiers de l’Atlantique, one of the world leaders in cruise ship construction.  The delivery ceremony of MSC Cruises’ newest flagship and one of the most environmentally-advanced ships at sea took place in the presence of Gianluigi Aponte, MSC Group Chairman.

Earlier in the morning a second important milestone event took place with the traditional cutting of the first steel and naming of the first World Class ship, MSC Europa, by MSC Cruises’ Executive Chairman, Pierfrancesco Vago. MSC Europa is the first of five liquified natural gas (LNG)-powered cruise ships on order and the first LNG ship to be built in France.  The two events marked another important step forward in MSC Cruises’ long-term commitment to environmental stewardship, both at sea as well as ashore.

Pierfrancesco Vago, MSC Cruises’ Executive Chairman, says, “Since its inception, MSC Cruises has embraced a commitment to environmental stewardship and ways to minimise and continuously reduce our environmental footprint, both at sea and ashore, with the use of innovative, leading-edge and effective technologies across our entire fleet. With each new ship we raise the bar of environmental performance and our ultimate goal is zero emissions operations. MSC Grandiosa moves us another significant step forward in that genuine ambition.

Mr Vago continues, “Today is even more significant as we begin the construction of the first of five LNG-propelled ships, which will further elevate our standards in environmentally-sound cruising, thanks to this use of alternative fuels, as well as other cutting-edge technologies.”

Mr Vago concludes, “Our commitment to environmental protection, both while at sea and when calling at the port communities that we serve, does not stop here. With each new ship we will push further the boundaries of innovation in terms of environmental technology. We will specifically focus our R&D investment into accelerating the development of next-generation advanced solutions and other technologies – from more alternative fuels, shore power availability, batteries, fuel cells and beyond. All of this while we retrofit and upgrade our existing fleet – one of the most modern at sea – with the latest technologies to continuously improve our environmental performance fleet-wide.”  

Laurent Castaing, General Manager, Chantiers de l’Atlantique, adds, “The delivery of MSC Grandiosa and the official start of construction of the first world-class ship are two major milestones in the history of our partnership with MSC Cruises.  At Chantiers de l’Atlantique, we are happy and proud to provide our privileged customer with state-of-the-art solutions that significantly lessen the environmental impact of the ships.  MSC Cruises can thus benefit from the result of our R&D programmes on energy saving schemes and environmentally-friendly technologies that we have been leading for the last ten years.”

MSC Grandiosa is MSC Cruises’ most environmentally-advanced ship at sea yet and is testament to the Company’s long-standing commitment to protect the seas and respect the communities that it touches. The ship is equipped with advanced cutting-edge technologies geared to ensure ever cleaner air emissions and improved overall environmental performance, both while at sea and ashore.

In addition to a hybrid ‘closed-loop’ exhaust gas cleaning system (EGCS) that reduces ship sulphur emissions by 97 per cent, MSC Grandiosa will also be the first MSC Cruises’ ship to feature a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system that helps reduce nitrogen oxide by 80 percent. All other MSC Cruises’ ships currently under construction will feature the SCR technology, including MSC Grandiosa’s sister ship, MSC Virtuosa, due to come into service in October 2020, as well as MSC Seashore, currently under construction at a different shipyard. This active emissions control technology conducts nitrogen oxide from the engine operations through a catalyst – a high-density device made from noble metals – and converts them into harmless nitrogen and water.

When speaking of alternative fuels, MSC Cruises is investing €5 billion in the construction of five LNG-powered ships. Compared to standard marine diesel, LNG reduces sulphur oxide emissions by more than 99 percent and nitrogen oxide emissions by up to 85 percent. It also largely eliminates particulate matter in the ship’s exhaust and reduces greenhouse gas emissions by as much as an additional 20 per cent. The 205,700 GT LNG-powered world-class ship MSC Europa will come into service in May 2022 and is the first of four futuristic world-class ships to be constructed at the French yard, with further deliveries scheduled for 2024, 2025 and 2027. In addition, one Meraviglia-Plus ship will also be propelled by LNG when the ship comes into service in 2023.

Bucket Travel: MSC Grandiosa - Grand Launch

MSC Cruises is to embark on the Company’s most comprehensive new ship launch ever and will carry out the largest face-to-face engagement drive with more than 14,000 travel agents on board MSC Grandiosa. The events will commence in St Nazaire, France when the Company’s newest flag ship officially comes into service on 31 October.

Achille Staiano, MSC Cruises VP Global Sales, comments, “The events for the launch of MSC Grandiosa have been carefully designed to enable an extensive programme of activities and celebrations for the travel agency community, as well as other guests and stakeholders. We have designed an inaugural itinerary for the ship with overnight stays in multiple ports to enable as many travel agent partners as possible to stay on board or visit the ship in order to experience it first-hand.”

Staiano continues, “Looking ahead, as MSC Grandiosa will be one of the most environmentally-sound ships at sea, we will utilise the MSC Masters e-learning platform to educate our travel agent partners around our environmental stewardship practices and other environmental initiatives. This will allow them to understand the latest advancements in environmental technology and practices, which will be invaluable information for them and their customers.”

During the course of the launch itinerary, seven ‘All Stars of the Sea’ awards events will be held to recognise the efforts and achievements of travel agents from all around the world, acknowledging MSC Cruises’ distribution in more than 80 countries. Separate familiarisation tours and presentations will also be given to travel agency front-desk staff, managers, proprietors and tour operators.

MSC Grandiosa will remain in the Port of Hamburg from 6 to 10 November, with the christening on the evening of the 9^th. The Blue Port will be condensed into a maritime stage around the Elbphilharmonie. Twenty locations in Hamburg's harbour will become ambassadors of light art, shining with a significant blue light, mixing industrial harbour light with graphic drawings. The colour blue is significant for the events as it is part of MSC Cruises livery, as well as representing water to symbolise MSC Cruises’ long-standing commitment to the ocean.  To respect the environment and the climate, small lights with low-energy consumption will be used. The dazzling installations will be created by renowned international light artist, Michael Batz.

MSC Grandiosa is equipped with two new and important technological innovations, including a selective catalytic reduction system, which will decrease nitrogen oxide emissions by 90 percent and transform it into pure water and nitrogen.  The ship is also fitted with a state-of-the-art advanced wastewater treatment system that will lead to nearly zero impact on discharges and allow MSC Grandiosa to operate in delicate environments such as the Baltic Sea and Alaska.

The new features add to other effective technologies found on MSC Cruises’ fleet to reduce any further environmental impact, including a cutting-edge hybrid exhaust gas cleaning system, systems for the prevention of oil discharge from machinery spaces, a ballast water treatment system and various energy-saving improvements such as heat recovery systems and LED lighting.

Some of the guest highlights of this new state-of-the-art ship include:

·         Two original new shows from Cirque du Soleil at Sea

·         A Mediterranean Promenade lined with restaurants, including the new restaurant Il Campo and mall-style shopping, with a 93-metre-long LED Sky Screen that displays atmospheric images and animations throughout the day and night

·         An immersive art experience in L’Atelier Bistrot with 26 original etchings by French Impressionist, Edgar Degas

·         Dedicated kids areas designed in partnership with LEGO and Chicco

·         The world’s first virtual personal cruise assistant, ZOE, in every cabin.

MSC Grandiosa will commence her regular seven-night cruises in the Western Mediterranean from 23 November with six embarkation ports, calling at Genoa and Civitavecchia, Italy; Palermo, Sicily; Valetta, Malta; Barcelona, Spain and Marseille, France.

Bucket Travel: MSC Armonia

MSC Cruises’ upcoming winter Caribbean season from November 2019 to April 2020 will get off to a strong start with MSC Armonia’s maiden call to the Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve just one week after the season begins. As part of her new and enriched itineraries, MSC Armonia will visit this exclusive natural island destination every week, as well as other exciting ports across the Western Caribbean.

Founded on a deep commitment to ecological principles, Ocean Cay will be a private island destination like no other, surrounded by protected waters rich in marine and coral life. It has been conceived to immerse travellers in the natural beauty of the Caribbean and The Bahamas.

Snorkelling tours, scuba diving, stand-up paddle boarding and kayaking are among the outdoor activities that MSC Armonia’s more adventurous guests will be able to enjoy at Ocean Cay. Those seeking a more relaxing experience will have eight white sandy beaches to choose from, as well as a new luxurious spa concept and countless other options. A vast array of family-friendly experiences will also be available. Like other MSC Cruises ships in the Caribbean, MSC Armonia will stay at berth from 9am to 11pm, allowing guests to make the most of their time on the island and enjoy stunning sunsets by the iconic lighthouse.

Gianni Onorato, MSC Cruises’ CEO comments, “As we continue to grow our presence in the region, we have enriched MSC Armonia’s itineraries to offer our guests an even more immersive Caribbean experience. The Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve will be a key highlight, with a 14-hour call to let our guests explore and enjoy this beautiful island and its surrounding waters, both during the day and into the night. MSC Armonia will also visit other gems across the Western Caribbean in Jamaica, Mexico, the Cayman Islands and beyond.”

From November 2019 to April 2020, MSC Armonia will depart on one-week cruises from Miami every Monday, whereas from April to November 2020 her departure from Miami will be moved to Sunday.

In both cases, long-haul travellers will get a unique opportunity to spend the weekend in one of North America’s most vibrant cities before embarking on the cruise of their lives.

TAKE IN THE GORGEOUS VIEWS OF JAMAICA’S COAST

MSC Armonia will regularly visit a range of exciting ports and destinations across the Western Caribbean region. In Jamaica, MSC Armonia offers three different ports of call depending on the itinerary. In Ocho Rios, guests will be able to join a truly Jamaican bobsleigh tour, dive into Dolphin Cove and admire the Dunn's River Falls, with 180 metres  of cool, refreshing water cascading over natural limestone terraces. In Montego Bay, on Jamaica’s north-western coast, MSC Armonia’s guests will be able to go white-water rafting, tour an old plantation at the Good Hope Estate or learn about the mysteries of Rose Hall Great House, a fascinating colonial relic imbued with rumour and intrigue. In January 2020, MSC Armonia will visit Falmouth on Jamaica’s north coast, home to the Glistening Waters. When they visit the Luminous Lagoon, where the Martha Brae River and the Caribbean Sea meet, guests will experience first-hand how these two bodies of water mix to create bioluminescent micro-organisms that glow brightly.

DISCOVER THE BEST THE WESTERN CARIBBEAN HAS TO OFFER

MSC Armonia will bring the very best the Western Caribbean has to offer to her guests. In addition to Ocean Cay and Jamaica, the ship will regularly visit Mexico’s Costa Maya during the Northern Hemisphere’s winter 2019 – 2020 season. Her guests will enjoy an array of cultural, outdoor and relaxation activities there. George Town in the Cayman Islands is another idyllic destination that MSC Armonia will visit every week.

From April to November 2020, Key West (Florida, USA) will become a regular feature in MSC Armonia’s itinerary. There, guests will be able to visit the Historic District at the Old Town, which includes the island’s most popular spots, such as Mallory Square, Duval Street and Fort Zachary Taylor, as well as the southernmost point in the United States.

MSC ARMONIA OFFERS ITS OWN DELIGHTS

MSC Armonia incorporates a range of features that turn her into a destination in her own right, having recently gone through a major refurbishment. In terms of food and dining, the new Surf and Turf Restaurant offers the best of both worlds, such as a delicious filet mignon and tempting cold-water lobster tail. Bringing the Caribbean experience on board, the Rum Bar offers a range of cocktails, whether traditional or out-of-the-box.  The White Lion Pub introduces a new and complimentary menu featuring light meals – such as mojo chicken quesadillas, avocado and tuna salad wraps and spinach and artichoke dips to share – along with a wide selection of beers, including Newcastle Brown Ale, Murphy’s Irish Stout and Lagunitas IPA.

In addition to MSC Cruises’ fan-favourite parties like the White Party and Silent Disco, a highlight of MSC Armonia’s entertainment offering is its evening theatre entertainment, with a line-up of dynamic performances on board. Cruisers can marvel at a different, distinct show each evening. MSC Armonia offers a dedicated LEGO kids area, through its partnership with the toy giant, as well as a splash park.

In November, MSC Armonia will go through another drydock operation at the Bahamas’ Grand Bahama Shipyard.

Tsogo Sun: Golf Reef City Casino Hotel

When I tour the country for various events, the most important part of the trip is my accommodation, because nothing can compare to a good night's rest in place that you're not only comfortable but with staff who are always helpful to assist when need be, which is why I am loyal to the Tsogo Sun group, no matter which part of the country I am, their establishments set the bar for hotels and leisure. 

This past weekend while in Johannesburg for the Ultra Music Festival South African leg, the kind folk at Tsogo Sun Gold Reef City Casino Hotel hosted me for the weekend. Before I could even arrive to the hotel on that that Friday I already knew I was in good hands, and for that I must say special thank you to their communications manager Devashini Govender for arranging my stay and ensuring all was well while she was on leave. Not often you will get people going out of their way during their time off to assist you. 

Gold Reef City Casino Hotel is situated just a few minutes outside Johannesburg CBD, it boasts casino, multiple restaurants, kiddies entertainment area and a movie house. The hotel has just gone under a massive renovation with certain areas still getting their final touch ups and I must say, after last visiting when I was a kid, the place has transformed and grown into something spectacular. Gold Reef City is themed around the Johannesburg Gold Rush just like it's sister hotel across the road at the Theme Park which we stayed at the last time. So a lot of of it follows the American Western style decor. 

A massive fountain with golden Springboks leaping through greets you at the entrance of the Hotel and Casino complex and you enter into a massive triple volume atrium. The lovely staff at reception ensured my checking in was quick and efficient with one of them accompanying me to show to my suite. I was staying in one of the bigger suites at the hotel, the coffee and tea station greeted me in the foyer of the room, with the dressing room and walk in closet to the left, that led into the massive bathroom with a free standing tub, shower and toilet. The size of the bathroom was bigger than some hotel rooms I've stayed in!

The bedroom had a massive King Size four post bed, with a lounge area equipped with sofa's and a large screen LCD TV and bar fridge. A nice welcome gift from the hotel's GM stood next to my bed, a bottle of bubbly on ice, and so the celebrations of the weekend kicked off in style. The hotel area of the casino is only accessible by lift and is strictly for guests only so if you're staying there, you don't have to worry about any one making their way up. Security is of utmost importance at Gold Reef City, so much so I didn't even make use of the safe in my bedroom as I know my room was secure. 

Being a working trip, I had to get some admin done while I was at the hotel, for this the Hotel provides free WiFi for all their guests, with a simple easy way to log in and super-fast speeds. If I were busy and didn't have time to visit one of the many restaurants and take out's downstairs, a full eat in menu was available for me from the hotel. anything from a simple sandwich to butter chicken and rice was on the menu. With great variety like this, I pondered whether it was really worth my while leaving my luxurious room and venture around?

Although I was there for Ultra, I had some time to explore the complex, the Casino being the focal point of Gold Reef City is situated in the middle and boasts a host of slot machines for your fancy and for the more hands on gamblers, a range of tables are on offer for you. Whether you're a Roulette man like my self or Black Jack is more of your game, it was all catered for. There is given quite a sizable smoking Casino just behind the main gambling floor. Enough about what the adults can do, the kiddies entertainment is well catered for as well. There is a 10 pin bowling area where the whole family can partake in some fun, gaming area as well as the newly opened movies which has an amazing clock feature in it's foyer resembling an old train station, as well as a time table board which mimics one from a station as well. 

The walkway around the Casino has restaurants that suite any palette, from a cafe type bistro of Tsogo Sun's very own Vigor & Verve, to authentic Indian cuisine at The Raj, maybe some Portuguese Peri Peri at Calisto's or if you're in a mood for a great steak, Boston BBQ is your place to dine at. Other restaurants include Back to the Moon and everyone's favourites Ocean Basket and Spur Steak House. If you're in the mood for a quick bite, the food court has a range of popular take outs for you with adequate seating area for all. 

Chicken Malai Tikka starter at the Raj

Being on the road for a few days, I was missing my curry so settled in for lunch on Saturday at The Raj, it's situated at the entrance to the undercover parking complex. After being greeted and seated by our waiter, he gave us a run down on his preferred choices off the menu. we eventually settled for the Chicken Malai Tikka starter with Lamb Rogan Josh and Butter Chicken for our mains. Every thing we ordered was delicious, so much so we ditched the utensils and opted to eat the authentic cuisine the way it was meant to be eaten, with our hands, just so we could lick our fingers at the end. 

Lamb Rogan Josh and Butter Chicken main with garlic naan

The good food doesn't stop there, guests at the hotel enjoy their breakfast served at the Vigor & Verve Cafe, where they can chose something of the menu or help them self to the extensive buffet on offer. From a selection of hot foods, to pastries, fruits and cereals, it had it all and was a life saver after partying till the early hours of the morning at Ultra. After day one I opted for the buffet, which did not disappoint, after day two I wanted to sample something off the menu and being a lover of toasted sandwiches, I settled for the V&V Club Sandwich. It was a toasted chicken and mayo with bacon and egg, it more than hit the spot.

Overall, I couldn't fault one thing during my stay, apart from the luxurious room and great facilities, the staff of Gold Reef City Hotel must be commended, whether it was the guys at check in, to the security guards, everyone was friendly, helpful and always had a smile on their face. It shows that they not only enjoy what they do but are also proud to be working at Gold Reef City and it's that added extra which makes your stay that much more worth while, to know you have a team of dedicated personnel who take pride in what they do and are ever ready to assist. I will definitely be paying them another visit, maybe this time I will have better luck on the tables!

Tsogo Sun: Suncoast Sunsquare Hotel

When I want to go for a holiday, the last place I'd think to go is in my own city. I mean going for a holiday means stepping away from your everyday life and we generally take that as go somewhere out of town but is it really necessary? 

A few weeks back I was given the opportunity to spend a few nights at the Suncoast Sunsquare Hotel, it forms part of Suncoast Entertainment World & Casino. It's a unique hotel seeing that it sits adjacent to the Suncoast Towers Hotel and shares the same amenities with its 5 star neighbor. That alone is a major plus for the guests, I mean staying at a 4 star hotel but everything else is 5 star rated and you don't have to cough an extra cent at all for it. 

Lets start of with the location, it's practically the best spot on the Durban Promenade, with it being smack, bang in the middle of it. You have Durban's world renowned beachfront at your door step with the warm, soothing waters of the Indian Ocean greeting you every morning and evening, it doesn't get any better than that. Keen for a run? The hotel's deck steps out onto the promenade which extends from the Point till the Blue Lagoon with further expansion for it planned. The stadium precinct is just behind the hotel, with Kings Park Stadium for the rugby fans,  Kings Park Swimming Pool and the iconic Moses Mabhida just next door. 

Moving on to the hotel, as stated before it shares a lot with the Towers hotel, including the reception and triple volume atrium in which a magnificent chandelier hangs. Apon arrival there were smiling faces waiting to help me with my luggage and make my check in, quick and efficient. After a welcome drink being handed my room card,  I was escorted to the room on the second floor, a breath taking sea view welcomed me to my room. Stylish and modern, equipped with everything one with need, including a damn comfortable double bed for a good nights rest. 

The room design is very ergonomical and makes use of the space very well and has everything you need in the right places. Adequate cupboards and draws, as well as a safe to keep your valuables, easy accessible plug points to charge your devices, a good hair dryer! (yes this matters to me, my do doesn't just form itself). The bathroom is integrated into the room with the shower and toilet blocked off by means of glass cubicles, this  leaves space for the basin to double as a dressing/ vanity room with its huge mirror. There is also a solid desk for one to do work on if the reason for visit is business related, the hotel provides all guests with free Wi-Fi which is a major plus for many, whether it be for work of personal use. 

I don't know about most people but my life revolves around food and this place does not disappoint! The extensive breakfast buffet every morning is astonishing and leave you at guesses on what to try. I know I wanted to try everything on offer but needed a bigger plate, I had to settle to getting up a few times though. In the evening the breakfast restaurant doubles up as Suncoasts signature Jeera restaurant, one of the few Indian restaurants in Durban that offer a world class buffet of curries. From lamb, chicken or seafood, it has everything to suit the most technical taste buds. Speaking to the head chef Sandren Govender, he says he prides himself on only using the freshest ingredients for his dishes, every item is made on and prepared in the kitchen included the wide variety of condiments, some of which include, sauces, pickles and atchars. Asking him which is his favourite curry from the menu, with out a doubt the Millionaires Curry he replied. It's a luxurious curry using the finest seafood all brought together in a creamy spicy gravy, just hearing about it makes ones mouth water. Tip, if you're going for the curry buffet, be sure to leave space for dessert or you might get carried away like I did!

While on the topic of food, the room service menu is quite extensive and serves a variety of meals all through the day. After binge eating, you going to want to work those extra calories off, if the hotel gym isn't enough, as said before you have kilometers of promenade to run on, not forgetting the beach to swim in. If that's not enough, theres morning exercise and yoga classes offered on the Suncoast beach. Bicycles can be hired from the near by bike and bean shop or from the Moses Mabhida Stadium. 

After the hectic work out, why don't treat yourself to a Spa treatment on the 9th floor of the Towers. Getting a massage with the endless views of the beachfront is an experience you will not regret! Offering a variety of treatments and massages, the Spa caters for it all. There's a host of rooms available including couples rooms so you and your partner can enjoy it together. 

Overall my stay at Suncoast Hotel was an eye opener and an unforgettable one, the staff had a huge part to play in that with them being at my beck and call at any time of day, making sure my every need was taken cared of. Coming back to my opening about holidaying in your own town, at first it didn't seem like much because you seek for something different but after experiencing what we have was on offer, very little can compare to this. Knowing the town was an advantage so I wasn't at a loss on what to do or how to pass my time but the major plus is you don't have to pay a lot for the travel! So often we pay an arm and a leg for plane tickets or the petrol and toll to get to our destination, this on the other hand was down the road! If I need a quick break, I will definitely pop down back to the Sunsquare hotel, maybe even live it up a little and book a room at the Towers, after all it is about spoiling yourself!

A big thank you to Werner and Nicole and the rest of the team from Suncoast Durban for this and Sheena from Tsogo Sun for making this possible.

Twitter: @SUNCOASTDurban / @TsogoSun

Facebook: Suncoast Durban / Tsogo Sun

Tsogo Sun Waterfront Cape Town

It's holiday season and everyone is looking to escape the normal hustle and bustle of their daily lives to go away and chill for a few days.While on the break you want to be relaxed, have piece of mind and make sure everything is taken care of. There's many factors that one has to take in insuring their holiday is a good one and the major one is the accommodation. Ultimately it is going to be your home away from home, you want it to be a place you're comfortable at but at the same time be spoiled with some luxuries you don't have at home.

Waterfront Hotel Cape Town

Upon my recent visit to Cape Town I was hosted by Tsogo Sun at their newly renovated Waterfront hotel. 

The hotel has always been an icon to the city as it is one of the first buildings you see as you exit the N1 into town. It's conveniently located with the waterfront a stones throw away, the CBD just to the back of you and the CTICC practically neighbours it. The hotel is rated 4*,  boasts 14 stories and 546 rooms ranging from normal bedrooms to suites which have immaculate views of the harbour, city and mountain depending on which wing your room is situated in. It also houses a gymnasium, spa, pool, conference facilities, restaurants and a bar. There is two basement levels so if you bringing a car along, there is plenty space for safe, secure parking.

My suite

My flight was a late one and add to that, a minor delay with the meant I wasn't able to meet general manager Jeff Rosenberg on my arrival but even though I pitched up at an odd hour the staff were extremely helpful to ensure my check in was quick and easy. At the time I wasn't sure which room had been allocated to me but being on the 11th floor I was sure to have some good views. As I made my way to the bedroom, the porter told me how I would be surprised at the room I was getting, seeing that it was one of the newly renovated ones and boy he wasn't wrong. 

The Bar

For me being on holiday means I want to spoil myself with luxuries I don't normally indulge in and at the same time have the comforts of home so I don't feel out of place. The suite I stayed encapsulated this perfectly, in the entrance hall was the bar, it had an assortment of the finest spirits as well as a fully stocked bar fridge and of course there was also some nibbles to go along with it. Now obviously these all came with a price tag, one which normally could cause cardiac arrest but to my surprise most of it was actually reasonably priced! The room continued to surprise as one would normally help themselves to a cup of coffee once settled in the room but in my case I had a Nespresso coffee, yes my room had a Nespresso machine, complete with a selection of capsules...and its free! If you're old school or would rather prefer tea there was also a kettle available with your tea and coffee selection. 

The massive TV

Moving on to the lounge, now my mum says I'm fussy but I think when you're used to something you will find it hard to adjust. What am I talking about? The TV! Every place we go to on holiday has the tiniest TV's imaginable and coming for my place with has a big ass plasma TV, you can relate to my frustration! Fair enough, you're on holiday, why would you want to watch TV? Well firstly, sport duh, secondly you want to keep track of things in the news, not to mention the weather, the room I was in had a 55" LED TV. The grin on my face was probably visible from Mars. The selection of DSTV channels was perfect and the hotel had a dedicated channel telling you about the hotel, the brand and what to do in the mother city. 

Working with free WiFi while watching TV

There was a study table for me to work on, which faced the TV and I was also given 500mb of WiFi to use at my disposal which is always very handy given the price we pay for data in this country. Being in the digital era many of our devices we carry need to be frequently recharged and the room was full of plugs, at every convenient position there'd be a socket outlet for you to charge your cellphone/ camera/ laptop which some might find an overkill but I think its brilliant as one always has to hunt for a free plug point at other hotels or resorts.

Contemplating getting up

The bed was massive, king size which was fit for...well a king! Nothing beats a good bed to get a good nights rest and I don't know if Tsogo Sun have a certain criteria when it comes to beds but this one was perfect! It made getting up from it in the mornings extremely hard! The room was fully air-conditioned with separate controllers for the bedroom and lounge. The bathroom was equipped with a shower and a bath tub, the shower had the option of a hand held shower or the head from the roof which gave a rain effect, it was also was packed with the necessities for ones stay. 

Dinning Hall

Now as much as the room has a major role to play in a hotel, the service has to live up to expectation to. That's what really won me over at the Waterfront Hotel, at all times there were security on patrol so there was no reason to be unsafe in your surroundings. The people at the front desk are forever smiling and ready to help you with what ever you need. There also comes that human element which some places lack, for example every morning at breakfast Avela, one of the waitresses knew I'd  have my morning cappuccino, the chefs manning the stove knew what filling I wanted in my omelette and even offered me to try various combinations that I might like. 

Gourment chicken burger at 3am

The range of food offered in the breakfast buffet blew me away from fresh fruits, to cereals and yoghurt's, the hot food stand was sure to leave your mouth watering and just when you think you had enough, the pastry table had you coming back for more! They even have an oven which bakes croissants in front of you! You cannot say no to that! Sticking on the topic of food, the hotel offerers a wide variety of in  room meals, some of which are available 24 hours, which comes handy if you're like me partying till the early hours of the morning. Getting a gourmet burger with chips delivered to your door in under 20 minutes at 3am, that is service!

View from my room

I only met with the hotel GM Jeff on the day I checked out which was probably a good thing since no one knew who I was and there wasn't biased treatment offered to me. As fate would have it I bumped into a friend who also checked into the hotel for the week as he was down in Cape Town for a conference, he normally stays at another establishment but due to his family tagging along he booked in here. He to was blown away by the hotel and even said that he might consider the Waterfront hotel in his future trips to the mother city. Overall my stay at the Tsogo Sun Waterfront Hotel was amazing, it was unparalleled to anything I have experienced in South Africa. The main thing is getting that combination of both comfort and  luxury but must have the service to match, for me this place had it all. I definitely will be paying Jeff and his team a visit again on my next trip to the Mother City.

Just want to say a big thank you to Jeff and the staff at the Waterfront hotel for making my stay an enjoyable one!