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Africa, Cape Town Hotels, Hotels, Travel

Bon Hotel Shelley Point West Coast Travel

Bon Hotel Shelley Point

A recent media trip found me exploring one of my favourite parts of the Cape, the West Coast. I have spent quite a bit of time holidaying up the West Coast but have not done much in-depth exploring. This trip gave me the opportunity of doing just that, as well as spending a night at the Bon Hotel Shelley Point.

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The West Coast is such a magical, unspoiled piece of Coast line, which you cannot help but love! The water may very well be icy cold most of the year round but you cannot beat the peace and tranquility it has to offer.

West Coast - Jacobsbaai

We started out our trip in Big Bay, with Bon Hotel Shelley Point being our end destination. Before I highlight a few of the West Coast Attractions, I thought I would tell you a bit about the hotel.

Bon Hotel Shelley Point

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Bon Hotel Shelley Point, is located in St Helena Bay, approximately 90 minutes drive from Cape Town. The hotel boasts 84 rooms, with the emphasis on privacy and comfort. Guests can choose from either Standard Rooms, Luxury Suites or Garden Suites.

Accommodation

BON-Hotel-Shelley-Point

We have stayed at Bon Hotel Shelley Point on a few occasions, as a family and loved it! This was my first solo mission! The hotel rooms are lovely and spacious, with tea and coffee making facilities, Wifi, a mini bar {stocked on request}, air conditioning, as well as a flat screen TV with satellite channels.

The bathrooms are a generous size, with a shower, standalone bath and double basin. There is a half-shutter between the bedroom and bathroom, which can be left open depending on how much privacy is required.

BON-Hotel-Shelley-Point

The hotel has 3 meeting rooms, which can accommodate up to 90 people. These areas can be used for one-on-one meetings, launches or as a conference facility. Full day, overnight and half-day conference packages are available.

Dining

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One of my favourite spots at the hotel, is the cocktail bar overlooking the 1st tee! It is the perfect place to sit sipping a G&T and witness some of the spectacular sunsets which the West Coast is renowned for.

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There are two restaurants to choose from at the hotel. You can dine at São Gabrielle for breakfast, with views across the bay and golf course, or grab lunch or dinner at São Antonio, alongside the pool deck. The pizza’s at São Antonio are delicious!

Facilties

BON-Hotel-Shelley-Point_Spa

If you are in need of a bit of pampering, a visit to the Spa at Bon Hotel Shelley Point, is a must ! They offer holistic body treatments and specialised facials for both men and women. The spa also has a hydro-centre, which consists of high pressure showers, a sauna, steam rooms, as well as a heated pool and Jacuzzi area. Sounds heavenly don’t you think? It is advisable to book your Spa visit in advance, as they are usually very busy, especially during high-season.

BON-Hotel-Shelley-Point_Kidz Club

If you are travelling with kids, the hotel has got you covered! While you relax poolside or at the spa, the kids can be entertained at the Crazy Crew Kidz Club. The Kidz Club has age appropriate toys, arts & crafts, movies, as well as a supervised outdoor play area. There is also a Teen Club available which offers table tennis, a pool table, sports activities, Xbox, as well as movies.

BON-Hotel-Shelley-Point_Bowling

If you need something a bit more strenuous to alleviate the stress, then why not play a game of tennis, take a splash in the pool{weather permitting} or try your hand at bowling. The hotel also offers a fully equipped gym, with treadmills, bicycles and rowing machines.

BON-Hotel-Shelley-Point_Golf Course

Golf enthusiasts can enjoy the challenging 9-hole links golf course, which winds its way through the lush peninsula.

Beaches

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There are three private beaches on the Shelley Point estate, all with their own special qualities. Take a walk down to Shelley Beach or venture down Golden Mile beyond the Oyster Catcher to Britannia Bay, a favourite with the Kids’ Club, especially in summer . If the wind is pumping, you will find a gorgeous, well-protected beach on the north side of the peninsula.

Location & Contact Details

Location: Golden Mile Boulevard, Shelley Point, St Helena Bay, 7380. Contact: Tel 022 742 1394 or Central Reservations 0861 266 222 or via email  or book online via the Bon Hotels Website.

West Coast Attractions

Below is a list of a few of the must see attractions or places to visit up the West Coast:

West-Coast-National-Park

  • West Coast National Park – is an animal and bird lovers paradise, with over 200 bird species as well as Eland, Springbok, Kudu, Gemsbok and the rare Mountain Zebra. A must for flowers lovers, is a visit to Postberg Flower Reserve, which is part of the West Coast National Park. The West Coast Wild flowers truly are a beautiful sight!

West-Coast-Wild-Flowers

  • Buffelsfontein Game and Nature Reserve – we did not have the opportunity of visiting the reserve during our trip, so this is still on my to-do-list. Buffelsfontein offers game drives to view a variety of Buck, Lion, Giraffe, Zebra and Wildebeest. You may also spot the African Wildcat, Lynx and Honey Badgers. There is accommodation available on the reserve, which is situated right near the waterholes, perfect for viewing animals, while sipping a sundowner.

Khwa ttu West Coast

  • !Khwa ttu San Cultural & Educational Centre – this was my first time visiting !Khwa ttu. I am sorry we did not venture there before, because it was well worth it! As well as offering a San-guided tour, they have a cosy restaurant, craft shop and a conference room. There is also accommodation available if you would like to stay over at !Khwa ttu. Accommodation facilities range from a bush-camp, a secluded bush house, to a farm-style guest house. They all offer their unique extras such as a ‘shower in a tree’ and underfloor heating.

West-Coast-Fossil-Park

  • West Coast Fossil Park – this was my first time visiting the Fossil Park and it was truly fascinating! In 1950, mining in the area exposed one of the richest fossil sites ever discovered. Around 200 different kinds of animals, some still unknown to science, have been recovered in the West Coast Fossil Park. Today the West Coast Fossil Park is a National Heritage Site and is believed to contain the greatest diversity of five million year old fossils in the world. You can see the fossils of bears, sabre-tooth cats, short-necked giraffes and the many other exotic animals, which inhabited the West Coast area, some 5 million years ago.

Groote Post Vineyards

  • Groote Post Vineyards – for wine lovers, a visit Groote Post for a bit of wine tasting, is a must. The winery is situated in a lovely green valley threaded by the Klawer River, overlooked by the beautifully restored Cape Dutch Klawer Valley homestead. Look out for the imposing slave bell, which you can spot on the Groote Post wine labels.
  • Langebaan – the Langebaan Lagoon is another family favourite up the West Coast. It is a popular spot for wind and kite surfing. We often stop in at Pearly’s Restaurant for an early evening pizza while watching the sunset.

Paternoster

  • Paternoster – is one of the oldest fishing villages in the area and over the years has become one of our favourite venues for lunch! It has also become a favoured holiday destination, with a large variety of accommodation on offer. I recently did a review on a stay we did at Abalone House, a popular guest house in the area.

I hope you enjoyed these highlights of a few places to see and things to do along the West Coast. If you need more ideas, West Coast Way has put together an awesome list of 101+ Things to See and Do.

Source: Info – West Coast Way Images Inspired Living, Bon Hotels, West Coast Info

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Cape Town Hotels, Exploring the Cape, Romantic Getaways, Travel

Abalone House and Spa Winter Indulgence

Abalone House

As you may already know, one of our favourite weekend or holiday getaways is the Cape West Coast! There is something quite special about this stretch of coastline. The water is not the warmest, but the windswept beaches, endless views, dramatic sunsets, peace and tranquillity, certainly make up for it! [Read more…]

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Africa, Be Inspired, Child Friendly Travel, Exploring the Cape, My Top, Travel

My Top Cape Holiday Destinations

Jacobsbaai

  • The West Coast – My favourite spot up the West Coast, Jacobsbaai, is probably a bit of a biased choice, as it is where our family holiday house is but the West Coast is such a magical, unspoiled piece of Coast line you cannot help but love it!  Spending just a few days there is wonderfully relaxing and good for the soul! Jacobsbaai is approximately an hour outside of Cape Town, in the direction of Vredenberg. As I mentioned we have a beautiful family holiday home there, decorated in distinctly beach style decor, which allows the space to be both tranquil and luxurious! It truly is a beach-lovers paradise and wonderful for family holidays. It is also the place you will witness the most stunning sunsets! Other popular holiday spots up the West Coast are Langebaan and Paternoster.

Jacobsbaai6 Jacobsbaai3 Jacobsbaai2

  • Franschhoek – Is one of my favourite holiday destinations in the Western Cape. It is approximately an hour’s drive, travelling on the N1, from Cape Town. “Franschhoek” meaning ‘French corner’, is a beautiful town steeped in history and renowned for good food and wine. It is wonderfully romantic and the perfect spot for a weekend away to reconnect with a loved one but equally good for a family holiday. Accommodation in the area is plentiful, with many quaint guest houses, self-catering cottages as well as luxurious boutique hotels; offering travelers many options when visiting the area. One of the most enjoyable places we have stayed at, was Rose Cottage, on the most picturesque Burgundy Bourgogne Estate. The cottage is four-star, self-catering luxury; it has an open plan kitchen, lounge dining room and an exquisite master suite.

DSC_05780716-Rose-Cottage DSC_05550693-vines DSC_04470587-franchk-view

  • Hermanus – Is a beautiful sea-side town, in the Overberg, which forms part of what is more commonly known as the “Whale Coast”. We love visiting the area and if you are lucky you may even get to see a few whales while you are there. If you are planning a trip to Hermanus, the end of September is a good time to go. You can enjoy the renowned annual Whale Festival, which is a great deal of fun! It can get very busy during this time of year, so pre-booking  accommodation is essential. There are many great restaurants to choose from – most of them, with a view of the sea.

Hermanus3 Hermanus2 Hermanus

  • Knysna – The Majestic Garden Route is definitely a very popular holiday destination in South Africa, especially for families. Knysna is one of our favourite Garden Route spots and is approximately six hours by road. Although a long trip, the Garden Route is wonderfully scenic and there are lots of things to see along the way. We enjoy staying on Leisure Isle when we are holidaying there and if you are fortunate enough, you can rent a home directly on the Knysna Lagoon. It offers the peaceful tranquility of island style living, with the most amazing views and the town is a mere 10 minutes away by car. The area is great for families – children can happily bike ride around the island or potter on the Lagoon when the tide is out. Another popular location in Knysna is Thesen Island, a Martha’s Vineyard style development and a very popular choice for holiday rental. We have stayed there in the past but I still prefer the peace and tranquility that Leisure Isle offers. The marina on Thesen Island sports many wonderful shops and restaurants and a boutique Hotel, catering to a holiday makers every need.

Knysna2 Knysna6

Knysna3

 

You can read more posts in my Top 4 Series by clicking here…

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©FAR Photography, Africa, Exploring the Cape, FAR Photography, Local, Sunsets, Travel, Vintage

West Coast Painted Sky

I thought I would share a few pics from our latest trip up the West Coast, to our family spot in Jacobsbaai. The sunsets are glorious and it is so peaceful and relaxing, our little piece of heaven!

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Cape Town Lifestyle, FAR Photography, Featured Posts, Lifestyle, Local, Travel, West Coast

Jacobsbaai – A Beach Lovers Paradise!

 

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As I have mentioned before one of our favourite places for a weekend getaway is the remote area of Jacobsbaai, it is up the West Coast of South Africa, heading out of Cape Town, in the direction of Vredenberg. We have a beautiful family holiday home there, decorated in distinctly beach style decor, which allows the space to be both tranquil and luxurious! It truly is a beach-lovers paradise.

 

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On a recent trip up to Jacobsbaai, we were fortunate enough to have suitable sea-faring weather! Well when I say we, I mean my eldest daughter, her Dad and Grandpa. We have discovered that our eldest has a passionate love of the sea – or should I say of extreme adventure sports, which include boating, crayfishing and boogie-boarding! Needless to say all a bit nerve-wracking for the mother involved – ME! The interesting thing is that I was pretty much the same as a child, it is only recently that I have decided that swimming with sharks actually does sound dangerous and somewhat life threatening.

 

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The boat trip was rather successful and the fisher-folk managed to catch a few crayfish, crabs and a fish! I was rather happy with this outcome seeing as I love crayfish! So the fishing crew returned rather chuffed with themselves and we could all enjoy the bounty that they caught, as an appetiser before dinner – yum!

 

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A few other places to stay up the West Coast include: Langebaan, the quaint fishing village of Paternoster – where you will find lots of lovely B&B’s and self catering accommodation and the beautiful Shelley Point Hotel & Spa.

 

Images: Collage 1,2 & 3  ©FAR Photography by Super Mom Blog

 

 

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Meet Fiona Rossiter

Hi, I am Fiona Rossiter, from Cape Town, the writer and photographer behind Inspired Living SA Blog. If you love good Food and Wine, reading amazing Travel Adventures, keeping Fit and Healthy, as well following Decor Trends – then Inspired Living SA is just the place for you! Read More…

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