Hilton Worldwide has announced Pezula Resort & Spa, one of South Africa’s leading resorts, is set to join the luxury portfolio of Conrad Hotels & Resorts. Hilton Worldwide owns three other hotels in South Africa: the Hilton Sandton in Johannesburg, the Hilton Durban and the Hilton Cape Town. John T A Vanderslice, global head, Luxury & Lifestyle Brands for Hilton Worldwide said: “By combining Conrad’s signature style and service standards with such a superior Resort property and location, we will create an exceptional and memorable guest experience. For 25 years Conrad has epitomized the definition of smart luxury and our arrival in South Africa represents a key milestone in the brand’s ongoing global expansion.”
Patrick Fitzgibbon, senior vice president, Development, Hilton Worldwide, Europe & Africa said: “I’m very excited at the prospect of our luxury Conrad brand making its debut in South Africa with such an outstanding and well known resort property. Conrad Pezula Resort & Spa will be a valuable addition to our growing international hotel portfolio and helps to underline our position as one of the leading hospitality providers in the continent.”
Located on the Eastern Head of Knysna on the exquisite Garden Route coast, Pezula Resort Hotel & Spa is surrounded by rugged cliffs, ancient forests and sheltered beaches. With sweeping views of the Pezula Championship Golf Course, the Indian Ocean and the Knysna Lagoon, it is a haven of privacy and luxury.
Seventy-eight stylish suites, four to a villa, each with its balcony, well-stocked pantry and spacious bathroom, deliver a whole new world of luxury in an elegant African style. Designed to maximize the views, the suites exude the warmth of stone and wooden textures, while welcoming earth tones create an unexpected contrast to the blues and greens of the landscape and ocean. The suites have individual climate control, satellite television, a DVD player, electronic safe and direct telephone. Each has a pantry kitchen with delicious deli snacks prepared by the pastry chef of the hotel’s restaurant, and a well stocked drinks cabinet. Real log fireplaces are lit on request. The bathrooms are huge with oval-shaped calabash baths and wet rooms big enough for two. Beds are beautifully dressed with Egyptian cotton linen and guests are supplied with luxurious toweling gowns and slippers.
The core building houses a sumptuous cigar lounge, champagne and whisky bar, library, wine cellar and gourmet restaurant, Zachary’s. Intimate and romantic at night, the setting of the restaurant is spectacular during the day, with magnificent views over the Knysna Lagoon against the backdrop of the Outeniqua Mountains, tempting you to dine al fresco. Executive chef Geoffrey Murray delights in serving up the freshest local ingredients in his inimitable style. His menu offers a variety of ‘modern ethnic’ dishes inspired by his worldwide experiences which include owning his own restaurants in New York and Miami and his role as executive chef at the exclusive Seychelles resort, North Island.
Situated on the lower level of the hotel, the Spa is a calm sanctuary that reflects the soul of Africa and provides world-class professionalism in the delivery of a superior health and wellness experience. Named Best Spa in South Africa in the 2005 Professional Beauty Awards, it includes a 12m heated indoor pool, state-of-the-art gymnasium, outdoor Jacuzzi, sauna and steam room, rain shower, nail bar, hair salon and nine therapy rooms, as well as a post-treatment room with heated water beds. It offers a comprehensive range of treatments, which combine natural therapies with the most technologically, advanced equipment available. A number of packages have been designed to revive body and spirit.
Guests have access to the secluded Noetzie Beach and River and activities including canoeing, fishing, hiking, birding and nature trails. The estate’s Field of Dreams sporting complex offers an equestrian center, four world-class tennis courts, a multi-purpose sports oval and golf driving range. The Championship Golf Course lies high above the Indian Ocean and the vast Knysna lagoon – a sweeping spectacle of fairways and greens rolling through the pristine indigenous landscape. The Championship Course is primarily for member play, offering referred access to visitors on a space-available basis.
The stylishly appointed Pezula Clubhouse includes a gourmet restaurant, bar, plush private lounge with library, and a boutique pro shop. A heated pool, short game practice area, tennis and leisure facility are also available to members and guests. Contact Road Travel Africa to book your stay at this incredible resort at even more incredible rates.
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