Urban Luxury - The Westcliff

 
Think Africa is all safari, grime and danger? A stay at The Westcliff Hotel in Johannesburg will have you reassessing your opinion.

What makes a hotel luxurious? Could it be their billowy thousand-thread-count sheets or their legendary Sunday brunch? Their highly intuitive staff or their dramatic, million-dollar views? Perched high above the endless forested canopy of Jo’burg, The Westcliff Hotel has all of this and more.
   
To let the guests know that they’ve truly arrived, three magical words from the receptionist put things into perspective: “You’ve been upgraded.” Fantastic. The porter and I make our way up the steep winding lane, past lovely gardens and pretty pink villas, to my sanctuary for the next two nights. “There’s where you’ll be staying, right there.”

Can ballrooms get any grander?

We come to a halt in front of a cluster of villas huddled around a courtyard. Since no two rooms in The Westcliff are the same, I shuffle to my junior suite and fling the door open expectantly. I am immediately impressed. My extravagantly-sized bedroom may be Victorian in design but there are little touches of modern-day luxury everywhere. From the free wi-fi to the satellite television that pops up upon command to the soundproofed windows and heavy drapes to the cosy sitting nook in the corner, the management has thought of everything.


However, the pièce de résistance is undoubtedly the palatial marble bathroom. Big enough to live in, it boasts an enormous sliding wardrobe, dual sinks, shower stall, heated towel racks, a tub (with bath salts) and toiletries from Africology, South Africa’s numero uno skincare line. Something tells me I shall be spending an awful lot of time in here.

 

The Westcliff’s restaurants and its infinity pool overlook some of the finest vistas in the city. The hotel’s cascading garden is also stunning. It is said that horticultural enthusiasts may, on a stroll from one villa to another, spot a number of unique floral species within the property. That evening, I head to La Belle Terrasse, the hotel’s restaurant, where the service is impeccable and the setting fabulous.
 
Sipping my rooibos tea, I spot someone who looks vaguely familiar across from me. Could it be a makeup-less Felicity Huffman, fresh off season eight of Desperate Housewives? And is that handsome young man her son?  “Yes, we do get a lot of celebrities but a lot of them usually want to be treated like normal people,” says general manager, Andrew Cook, who has joined me for a quick chat.

In a sense, there is no better place in South Africa to go unrecognised or be yourself. The hotel is blissfully quiet, and even the businessmen (and women) possess the graciousness to discuss money and mergers in hushed tones. Sooner or later, every visitor to this hotel will be buoyed by this sensation of calm and restfulness, making the place a terrific respite from downtown Johannesburg.

As the sun sinks below the horizon, the stately homes below me light up like a million shimmering oil lamps, outsparkling the star-filled heavens. Now this, to me, is luxury.

Follow Louisa Lim at www.twitter.com/lolibites 


Full article at The Star Online

THE WESTCLIFF
67, Jan Smuts Avenue
Westcliff, Johannesburg
2193, South Africa
Tel: +27 (0)11 481 6074/6045

Savane Organic Skincare Debuts in New York City

Savane Organic Skincare, the first ethical, certified organic luxury skincare range from Africa, is coming to New York! Launching this Saturday, 29th October at Shen Beauty.

The people of Southern Africa have relied solely on indigenous plants to protect their skin from the desert sun and harsh climate for thousands of years. Savane Organic Skincare blends this ancient traditional knowledge with modern green science to bring you Africa’s unique botanicals in their most potent form.

Savane values the rich natural and cultural diversity of Africa and the complex relationship between people and their natural environments. A member of PhytoTrade Africa committed to fair-trade and ethical sourcing of its ingredients. To contribute to a better world by providing safe, ethical and sustainable skin care products.Rich in some of the most powerful natural antioxidants and deep penetrating essential fatty acids (omegas 3, 6 and 9), our skin care range restructures, regenerates, and revitalizes your skin, protecting it against premature aging and restoring its natural balance.

All products are certified organic by Ecocert and endorsed by Beauty Without Cruelty. They contain one of the highest certified organic and fair-trade content available. They do not contain petrochemicals, animal or genetically modified ingredients, mineral oils, color additives or synthetic fragrances.

To reduce their carbon footprint product packaging is recyclable, and if you return it to the store they will recycle it for you and give you a discount on your next purchase. Ladies looks don't have to kill, with stockists in Cape Town, Johannesburg and the US visit them now! Savane They promise it's love at first slather.

Mixology With Versus

Versus wines launches a lighter, brighter look this month, highlighting its fresh, fun appeal and a flair for the unconventional that its fans have come to love. The brand continues to bring a refreshing, fun approach to the enjoyment of wine through its innovations.

“In keeping with our young and hip approach we ensure that we are very interactive in the new media space and the newly launched QR code on the Versus packaging, will enable consumers to access the website or brand promotions via their smart-phones,” explains O’Shea, Executive Director for Sales and Marketing at the company of wine people.

“Versus has always maintained its fun, friendly appeal that is characterised by an uncomplicated easy-drinking style,” he adds. “It is gaining in popularity not only in South Africa, Finland, Germany, and Belgium, but also in the rest of Africa and Asia, and is a great wine for parties and other occasions with friends.”

From social occasions to cocktail innovations. Versus wines – now just as stylish as its fans – brings their unique flair to just about any affair. Serve us Versus! Cocktail recipes.Yes please! 

 About Versus Wines
Versus continues to bring fun approach to the enjoyment of wine through its striking packaging, alternative advertising and stylish wine. Versus has enjoyed a number of achievements over the years, challenging industry and consumer perceptions alike. The brand continues to surprise and delight the trendsetters in a traditional wine world with its innovative spirit. Even the labels tell a different story.

Unveiling a Masterpiece - GLENMORANGIE PRIDE 1981

Pride 1981 is Glenmorangie’s most luxurious expression to date. As a precursor to the Whiskey Live Festival 2011, Glenmorangie is launching the SA unveiling of Pride next Thursday, 1 November at The Library, Cape Grace Hotel.

Its most sublime single malt whisky named after the year of its birth Pride is an extremely rare limited edition, with only 1,000 bottles available. It is presented in a specially commissioned, striking crystal decanter and wooden case conceived to compliment this exceptional whisky.

Glenmorangie Pride 1981 has a lingering finish, succulent and sweet with sultanas, toasted almonds and coconut desserts. The influence of the Sauternes casks produce the captivating aroma and the texture of chewy desserts such as apple tart, with sprinklings of Demerara sugar, nutmeg and aniseed. These are underpinned by musky oak tones, reminiscent of antique oak furniture.

A splash of water releases a myriad of exotic fruits and spices – sherbet lemons, melon, kiwi, with background notes of liquorice and roasted chestnut. Glenmorangie Pride 1981 leaves a long, lingering finish, succulent and sweet with sultanas, toasted almonds and the memory of lemon and coconut desserts.

Glenmorangie Pride 1981 is the culmination of 28 years of passion, patience and artistry. The genesis began in October 1981, when the intent was to create an exquisite vintage 18 Year Old, but the on-going tasting and assessment of the maturing stocks revealed that this whisky was of exceptional quality.

In 1999, Head of Whisky Creation, Dr Bill Lumsden acquired a limited number of Sauternes Barriques from the vineyard of Chateau d’Yquem - famed for its Premier Cru Supérieur rating, ‘a class above the rest’. Dr. Lumsden comments, "The opportunity to age an 18 Year Old for ten years in Chateau d’Yquem casks was too exciting to pass up."

Glenmorangie Pride 1981 was extra-matured in these Sauternes casks for a further ten years - the longest period any Glenmorangie whisky has ever undergone extra-maturation. “The resulting liquid is a rich, opulent deep gold, one of our most mature to date, is characterised by rich flavours of sumptuous desserts, and undertones of oak tannins, resulting from the extra-maturation process. We are always looking to push boundaries and innovate, and Glenmorangie Pride 1981 is the pinnacle of those efforts.”

Luscious, sensuous, romantic and ingenious, the packaging of Glenmorangie Pride 1981 is as exceptional as its contents, making every element of Glenmorangie’s finest creation a fitting tribute to a vintage year for design and for whisky. The sinuous Baccarat crystal decanter is the work of talented French designer Laurence Brabant.

It is encased in a wooden box conceived by Dutchman Wouter Scheublin, a rising star of technical design. The result is a cylindrical crystal vessel inside an oak box that slides apart when opened. A modern design classic. Due to the limited number of Sauternes casks available, just 1,000 bottles will be available worldwide, from July 1st 2011. Glenmorangie Pride 1981 is bottled at 56.7% ABV and is available at approximately ZAR 30,000.

About Glenmorangie

Glenmorangie malt Scotch whisky is one of the famous in the world. It originates from the far north of Scotland in the Highlands where, at the Glenmorangie Distillery, it is distilled in the tallest malt whisky stills, expertly matured in the finest oak casks, and perfected by the Men of Tain. The Distillery was founded in 1843 and is renowned as a pioneer in its field uniting tradition with innovation.

About The Glenmorangie Company

The company is one of the most renowned and innovative distillers and marketers of Scotch whisky brands worldwide and is part of Moët Hennessy, the wine and spirits division of Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton (LVMH). Headquartered in Edinburgh, Scotland, the company produces two main single malt brands – Glenmorangie Single Highland malt whisky and Ardbeg Single Islay malt whisky.