MONTHLY FAVOURITES {NOVEMBER}

Oops! 

November came and went so quickly that I have forgotten to do my 

Monthly Favourites post.
      

   

1.

One of my favourite finds in November was the

 Boutique Guest House Auberge Hollandaise

To Read Review

2.

Being a mascara junkie here is my "fave" from November.

To Read Review

3.

The Clarins Summer Make up Collection 

was recently launched nationwide.

Read Post

.

AUBERGE HOLLANDAISE 5* GUEST HOUSE

This past weekend I attended a launch of a new skincare serum called SEEFREE but more about that in a later post. The venue for the launch is my focus today and even though I have passed the building on numerous occasions I never knew what lay behind the walls and the gate of this property. Situated in the heart of residential Durban North this once grand home has been renovated and restored to its former glory. 

The Three Cities Auberge Hollandaise is a luxurious five star guest house tailored for the discerning corporate, local and international traveller. I have to admit I was somewhat blown away once I entered through the gates and the impressive triple volume hallway cannot be ignored along with a beautiful chandelier and its warm inviting wooden floors and sumptuous decor. 

Once you make you way through the spacious public lounge areas you come across a large pool deck, outdoor bar and breakfast area.

It's easy to see immediately, that the Auberge Hollandaise offers a haven of calm and tranquillity from what lies on the other side of the walls and gate.Whether you are on business or on holiday all of the ten beautifully decorated guest suites will satisfy the most discerning guest including me! 

Attention to detail is quite obvious upon entering each suite and in fact the whole Guest House. 

Besides the standard Air Conditioning, Tea and Coffee making facilities,Satellite TV, toiletries and hair dryer, each room has a laptop safe and free Wifi, which I know is a bonus,as many of the chain hotels across South Africa charge!

The Auberge Hollandaise also has a wonderful private and luxurious boardroom that can accommodate up to thirty delegates.I cannot think of a more delightful and peaceful setting to host a conference and at R395 per delegate inclusive of food and standard equipment Close to the business and entertainment districts of Durban and Umhlanga Ridge, its worthy of some consideration when you are next wanting to hold a small conference.

Rates:

R1280 pp sharing Luxury King Bed and Breakfast

R1780 Single Luxury King Bed and Breakfast

Dinner on request

These rates are until 31st December 2013

For more details visit

www.ahguesthouse.co.za or www.threecities.co.za

BREAKFAST AT THE BEVERLY HILLS HOTEL UMHLANGA ROCKS

The 5* Beverley Hills Hotel seems to have been a fixture on the Umhlanga horizon forever. My family first stayed in the hotel back in 1974, on our first visit to South Africa and even back then it was "the" hotel in Durban to stay at. Although many years have passed it still holds fond memories of Christmas's spent swimming and tanning by the pool. (Even at fourteen I was desperate to go back to the cold UK winter with the best tan possible...there was nothing better than having your bronzed skin highlight the pale white skin of your classmates)

Considering the hotel is on my doorstep, I haven't been inside to eat or drink for a couple of years, that was until yesterday, when I was invited to my friends 50th Birthday Breakfast. We sat on the terrace which has five star views across the sparkling pool, past the Umhlanga Rocks Lighthouse and out across the Indian Ocean.

The semi buffet style breakfast is laid out in the Sugar Club dining room and you can choose between Continental at R175 or the full cooked breakfast option for R210. Whilst the buffet comprised of all the usual cereal, fruit and fresh juice and pastry assortment, I was impressed with the continental cold meats, salami and the cheese selection, which I thoroughly enjoyed.

Fresh honey anyone?

Hot breakfasts are ordered and served at the table from the breakfast menu,which includes the normal egg options, bacon, sausage etc etc, but smoked salmon scrambled eggs, various omelettes, minute steak and Scottish kippers are also on offer. The hotels signature breakfast dish is the popular Eggs Benedict, which I must say looked absolutely "delish", as did the smoked salmon scrambled eggs.

The hotel setting, facilities and the food at the Beverly Hills is what you would expect from a hotel that has been awarded five stars year after year, but the staff are the true stars, several of which I am sure have been around since my days of holidaying there. Nothing was too much trouble or effort and what I like is when a waitron anticipates or reads from your body language, what you are needing next.The GM even came to wish the "birthday girl" a Happy Birthday, to me these little touches make all the difference.

I have to admit I love the 5* Oyster Box Hotel next door, but strangely enough I felt a little guilty yesterday as I was sitting overlooking the pool. I have far more memories of my time spent at the Beverly Hills  than at the Oyster Box, yet I have neglected to rekindle those happy memories in favour of making new ones next door. 

As a result, I will be back to visit the Beverly Hills soon and I will take time to "chillax" and reminisce...and try a Strawberry Daiquiri or two. 

Just a thought...could you imagine, if the Beverly Hills SD was to topple the Oyster Boxes SD from its number 1 spot on my Strawberry Daiquiri charts! Now there's a thought....

I will definitely give you feedback as to how it rates..

Beverly Hills Hotel

AFRICAN PRIDE CRYSTAL TOWERS HOTEL & SPA

I have been lucky to stay several times at the 4* Crystal Towers Hotel & Spa located in the heart of Century City in Cape Town and again recently spent a couple of nights there in between Christmas and New Year. 

The hotel is part of the African Pride group and as the name implies,

African Pride embodies the proud spirit of Africa, an exclusive collection of superior-deluxe hotels, lodges and country houses, offering the highest international standards of service, accommodation and facilities. African Pride Hotels:Africa’s signature of luxury hospitality

The hotel is described as innovative, modern yet timelessly sophisticated and luxurious. 

The rooms deliver on everything that you would need, whether you are staying there on business or for leisure.You will find all the usual comforts, right down to the DVD player with a library of movies and a collection of the latest magazines strategically positioned in the separate loo...and I must not forget to make mention the mood enhancing (pink and blue) lighting, which I think is what my hubby didn't like, so it failed to enhance his mood....

They also offer a complimentary daily shuttles to and from the CTICC, V&A Waterfront, Table Mountain, Camps Bay & Clifton Beaches and can I say that this was an absolute bonus, especially over the busy Christmas season, when parking can be an absolute nightmare in Cape Town and costly! It was wonderful, it was as though we had our own chauffeur. Another advantage to staying at the Crystal Towers Hotel and Spa, is the great shopping nearby at Canal Walk.I have to say now, that I cannot comment on any of the hotel restaurant or bar facilities,The Spa on the other hand, I have lots to say and this will be another post for a later date.

The Crystal Towers hotel is in my opinion is "Bling" all the way...and I love it, my husband on the other hand hates it...so hence I have often stayed there either on my own or with my kids, but on a couple of occasions he has had no choice....

For more info and rates

To read my other Hotel Review