If there’s one thing you shouldn’t do, it’s to only spend 24 hours at Views Boutique Hotel and Spa in Wilderness. I love staying at a place that’s relaxed, friendly and uber luxurious. The Views hotel is just that, and so much more. It was built to embrace the outdoors, so I decided to embrace it. But with only 24 hours to fit everything in, it was going to be tight!
I was lucky enough to get a suite which overlooked the ocean with glass walls that opened onto the private deck. I immediately explored all the bits and pieces – the commissioned art works, mood control lighting, Mvix media player with heaps of movies and movies preloaded, iPod station, an amazing minibar with all sorts of delish treats and a spacious lounge – tick, tick, tick.
I then went off to explore the rest of the hotel and very quickly made a list in my head of all the things I HAD to do.
Like a massage. I HAD to have one. No really, the manager had booked me in for a ‘Serenity’ massage. I was forced to lie back for an hour and discover the therapeutic delights of one of their latest spa treatments that is meant to restore balance and wellness. It did exactly that. The spa was quiet, serene and peaceful. The therapist brought me a glass of water, flavoured with fresh cucumber, at the end of my treatment. I was then encouraged to make use of the Vitality Pool and Tylarium Sauna, which I just couldn’t squeeze in.
Then it was lunch time. Every day of the week the Sails restaurant (their more casual, light-lunch restaurant) has a special. I arrived on a Thursday and took full advantage of their prawn special. R99 for a kilogram of prawns! Brilliant!
It was then that some exercise was needed. A spin in the gym would have been an option but it was such a beautiful day. The hotel is perched right on the top of the Wilderness dune belt, which overlooks the Indian Ocean and the Wilderness coastline. There’s a steep stairway leading down to the beach and I joined a group of holiday-makers walking along its sandy shores. Some Oystercatchers tip-toed in the waves next to us. Passing the holiday-makers, I found a deserted piece of beach. The wind and sea had eroded the rocks into a rugged wave cut platform and I scrambled across this before turning back.
Arriving back from the walk, I settled down at the Sail’s restaurant with my bare feet covered in sand – they didn’t seem to mind. I joined a crowd of people who had arrived for Sails’ famous cocktail hour and tucked into a deliciously fresh mojito.
But there wasn’t time to hang around, I had to make use of the games room too. Before dinner, there was an hour in which to get another workout. It involved a hard game of table tennis and a surprisingly tough boxing match played on Wii. It was enough to work up an appetite before dinner at their fine dining restaurant, Foam.
The service was excellent – the chef even came to the table and managed to convince me to try his succulent beef fillet. After dinner, it was definitely time to try out the extra length king size bed (being 6 foot tall, one appreciates these things) before having to dash off early in the morning.
I hadn’t even experienced all that the hotel had to offer, let alone the area. There’s too much to do and far too much to explore in the vicinity for you to only visit for 24 hours. Kick back, chill out and spend a few days soaking it all in.
Also Read: The 20 Best Spas in Johannesburg
Views Boutique Hotel and Spa
Why I’d recommend it
What’s not to love? It has a contemporary design, there’s excellent food, luxurious accommodation, friendly staff and extra length beds! The unique contemporary style is designed for your comfort and luxury and the staff are always smiling – I was made to feel welcome. It’s also an ideal spot to base yourself and explore the Garden Route.
It’s the ultimate luxury beach holiday and an ideal honeymoon location.
It’s also a quick 20 minute drive from the George airport with regular connecting flights to Cape Town and Johannesburg. Cape Town is 450km away (4 and a half hours) and Port Elizabeth is 400km away.
My best bits
There are too many to mention. I love the three story, rotating, hand-crafted glass fish aquarium – that just blew me away. There was also a hanging life-size glass seagull sculpture and a mosaic water feature made of aluminum and glass fish – everything was commissioned for the hotel.
There’s nothing quite like the floor to ceiling picture windows in the suites to maximize the view. I watched two pods of dolphins surf the waves from my bedroom window. Magical.
Activities and facilities:
Library lounge, rooftop pool deck, spa, gym, 12 seater movie room, business desk with wifi and computer facilities and a games room. You can also host your wedding at the hotel.
Wheelchair access to most suites, both restaurants, spa and gym.
Accommodation:
One penthouse, five honeymoon suites, seven premier suites, two luxury suites, three deluxe suites and four two-bedroom suite combinations.
How to get there
Road directions
From the George Airport 20 km
At the exit from George Airport turn right. Follow the road to the N2 Freeway. Turn left taking the N2 George. Bypass George and descend down Kaaimans Pass. Continue straight through Wilderness. Shortly thereafter look out for a Caltex Filling Station on the right hand side of the N2. At this intersection turn right, continue around the traffic circle towards the sea.
From Port Elizabeth: 325 km
Use the N2 from Port Elizabeth in the direction of Cape Town. Bypass Plettenberg Bay, and drive through both Knysna and Sedgefield. 15 km past Sedgefield look out for a Caltex Filling Station on the left hand side. At this intersection turn left and continue around the traffic circle towards the sea.
From Cape Town: 448 km
Use the N2 from Cape Town in the direction of Port Elizabeth. Bypass both Mosselbay andGeorge. Descend down Kaaimans Pass to Wilderness, continue keeping a lookout for a Caltex Filling Station on the right hand side of the N2. At this intersection turn right, continue around the traffic circle towards the sea.
From Johannesburg: 1181 km
Use the N1 from Johannesburg in the direction of Cape Town. At Colesberg keep left following the N10 to Middelburg. There keep right taking the N9 through Graaff Reinet to George. In George follow Langenhoven St, at the first traffic circle exit left. Continue past the Provincial Hospital. Continue straight through several stop streets. At the second traffic circle exit the 1st left into Knysna Rd. Continue through George passing the Garden Route Mall on the right to join the N2 from Cape Town. Descend down Kaaimans Pass. Continue straight through Wilderness. Shortly thereafter look out for a Caltex Filling Station on the right hand side of the N2. At this intersection turn right, continue around the traffic circle towards the sea.
GPS co-ordinates: S 33°59’58.45 E 22°36’52.44″
Rates: From R1 920 a suite for a Classic Room in low season and R2 200 a suite for a Classic Room in high season. Rates are per suite per night – includes accommodation, full English breakfast, VAT, use of the gym, sauna, hydrotherapy pool and internet access. Please enquire for current specials.
Contact: Tel 041-407-1000, [email protected], www.mantiscollection.com
