Romantic Getaways - Inspired Living SA

Child Friendly Travel, Competitions, International, Romantic Getaways, Travel, Travel Wishlist

Atlantis The Palm Dubai Win a Trip for Two

Atlantis The Palm

On Monday I was invited to Vida e Caffe in Cape Town, to a media morning, to find out about the exciting Atlantis, The Palm resort, in Dubai! Dubai is definitely on my Travel Wishlist, so I was excited to find out more about it.

After all the guests had placed their coffee orders, a very necessary caffeine fix for a Monday morning, the formalities got underway. We were welcomed and bought up to speed on Atlantis, The Palm and all the stunning resort has to offer.Then came the rather exciting announcement! Atlantis, The Palm, in partnership with Vida e Caffè and Dubai Tourism has just launched a very exciting competition! You stand a chance to win a luxurious five night stay at the stunning resort!

Got you excited yet? The exciting prize includes return economy air tickets on Emirates for two people, sponsored by Dubai Tourism. You will enjoy a five-night stay for two in a Deluxe Room at Atlantis The Palm, inclusive of breakfast and dinner for 2 people. You will also have unlimited access to Aquaventure Waterpark and the mythical Lost Chambers Aquarium. The winners are sure to be entertained and treated like royalty.

Please click here to enter and win this amazing holiday! All I know, is that I would love to win a holiday to Atlantis, it looks and sounds amazing.

Atlantis really is the perfect destination, whether it is a romantic trip for two or a family holiday, they have it all! From beautiful accommodation, who would not want to experience an under-water suite, to top restaurants and great activities for the whole family, you really could not ask for more.

More about Atlantis:

Atlantis, the flagship resort on The Palm, was the first resort to open its doors on Dubai’s revolutionary island. Created by Kerzner International Holdings Limited, a leading international developer and operator of destination resorts. The stunning resort welcomed its first guests on 24 September 2008.

With its enviable location atop the crescent of The Palm, the opening of Atlantis was a landmark event. It redefined tourism in Dubai, as the first truly integrated entertainment destination resort.

The resort encompasses a 46 hectare site, with 17 hectares of water themed amusement at Aquaventure Waterpark. There are extensive fresh and salt-water pools and lagoon exhibits, an open-aired marine habitat second only to Mother Nature and a seemingly endless stretch of beach.

You will also find luxury boutiques, numerous dining choices, which include three world-renowned chefs restaurants.The resort also offers exciting nightlife, award-winning ShuiQi Spa & Fitness and 5,600 square metres of meeting and function space.

Dubai is the perfect destination for South African holidaymakers, from families to couples to friends. Not only does it provide endless options for sport and leisure activities, shopping and dining but is easily accessible with daily flights from Cape Town and Johannesburg too.

“Once people experience our city, our home, they inevitably fall in love with it and want to come back,” ~ Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM).

To find out more about this amazing resort and book a trip visit the Atlantis, The Palm website.

Disclosure Ranking:1

Eating Out, Food, Restaurant Reviews, Romantic Getaways, Taste, Travel

Twelve Apostles Hotel Dinner and a Movie

Twelve Apostles Hotel

As busy parents, one of the things we seldom get to do, is watch a movie at the cinema together. Mostly due to the fact, that if we do get the chance to go out, we both prefer a romantic restaurant, over a busy movie theater! Well imagine if you could combine the two experiences…

The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa has turned the ever popular ‘Dinner and a Movie’ evening into a special occasion! They have combined a select three-course menu in Azure Restaurant, with the comfort of watching a movie in the five-star hotel’s very own private cinema. So whether it is a romantic evening with your partner, a girly get-together or family night out, ‘Dinner and a Movie’ is the perfect experience! At only R395 per person it is also great value for money and sets the scene for a memorable night, shared with the stars of the silver screen!

Much to my delight, Grant and I were recently invited to experience Dinner and a Movie, at the Twelve Apostles Hotel for ourselves! What a fun way to spend a mid-week evening!

Upon arrival we were treated to a welcome glass of bubbly, while we acquainted ourselves with the special three-course movie menu. The scenic Azure Restaurant is pure elegance, with an amazing seafront view. We were even lucky enough to catch a glimpse of a beautiful Cape Town sunset.

Executive Chef Christo Pretorius’ mouth-watering offering includes Duck Terrine – liver parfait, port gel, pistachio crumble and blackberry jam; Blesbok with orange sweet potato, bulgar wheat salad, forest mushroom, roasted beetroot, cashew sour cream, juniper berry crumble and gooseberry; and a fresh Catch of the Day, served with split pea salad, cauliflower puree, asparagus, baby marrow, coconut gel and oyster cream.

I opted for the Prawn Dhal for starters, while Grant decided to try the Chicken Noodle Soup. Both dishes were delicious but I would have to be biased here and say my dish was the best! The restaurant sommelier paired each of our dishes, with the perfect wine to compliment our meal.

Between courses we were presented with a visually spectacular Palate Cleanser – Raspberry sorbet on a bed of dry ice. So very Heston Blumenthal!

For mains I decided to try the Blesbok with orange sweet potato, bulgar wheat salad, forest mushroom, roasted beetroot, cashew sour cream, juniper berry crumble and gooseberry – quite a mouthful! It was utterly divine! Grant went for the Catch of the Day, served with split pea salad, cauliflower puree, asparagus, baby marrow, coconut gel and oyster cream. Both dishes were amazing, with perfectly matched taste combinations!

There are also Vegetarian dishes on the menu, such as Roasted Butternut Agnolotti with butternut gremolata, homemade labneh, toasted walnuts and sage butter; or an authentic Cape Malay Vegetable Curry – the slightly sweet and spicy curry with star-aniseed basmati rice, sambals, warm butter roti and a poppadum is a favourite of Red Carnation Hotel Collection Founder and President Bea Tollman.

For dessert both Grant and I decided on a traditional Vanilla Crème Brûlée, which was the biggest Crème Brûlée, I have ever seen! You have the option of enjoying your dessert in either the Azure Restaurant or the Cinema.

Our milkshake orders were then taken and we made our way to the The Twelve Apostles’ private 16-seat cinema. In true cinema style, along with our milkshakes, there was also complimentary popcorn, ice cream, hot chocolate and sweets, on offer! We then settled in to watch Water for Elephants, which is so sad but a wonderful movie!

What a lovely evening, with lovely people, in a stunning setting – thank you Twelve Apostles Hotel and the amazing staff at Azure Restaurant, for spoiling us! Next time we will definitely make a whole night of it and stay over! There is no need to leave the comforts of The Twelve Apostles Hotel after your movie, thanks to their ‘Dinner, Movie…and Stay Overnight’ package. Priced from R1345 per person sharing per night, the package includes an overnight stay, in one of the hotel’s plush guest rooms, three-course dinner, movie, snacks and full English breakfast the following morning.

The monthly movie schedule includes three dinner screenings daily, at 17:30, 20:30 and 22:30. To book, contact restaurant reservations on +27 (0) 21 437 9029 or email [email protected]

Image Source: 1,2 & 8 credited to 12 Apostles, Remaining images property of ©FAR Photography

Disclosure Ranking:2

Cape Town Hotels, Lifestyle, Reviews and Features, Romantic Getaways, Travel

Romantic Staycation at 15 On Orange

As a married couple, with children, I like to try to plan a night away, with my man, at least once a month! I think it is so important to reconnect, as a couple and spend some quality time together! We love staying in the Winelands but often that can be a bit too far for one night, so recently we have been opting for an overnight “Staycation” in the heart of Cape Town. There are so many fabulous Hotels, B&B’s and Apartments to choose from! A recent Romantic “Staycation” found us at 15 on Orange, in the heart of the CBD, which is part of the African Pride group of hotels.

15 On Orange

I have attended events at 15 on Orange but this was the first overnight experience for us. I had heard nothing but great things about the hotel and the Spa has recently changed hands and had a revamp, so I was delighted to receive and invitation to stay over and experience it for myself.

When we first arrived at the hotel our room was not ready yet, so we decided to hit Long Street for a bite of lunch. After lunch we were escorted up to our suite, by a very friendly porter! What awaited us was a rather stunning Suite, with lovely views over the city.

The interior decor is one of my favourite things about the hotels common areas and the suite was as stunning, with muted grey’s, pops of bright blue and metallic accents. Under-stated modern, elegance at its best!

As with the suite the bathroom was gorgeous – simple yet elegant, with the most stunning black marble tiles on the walls. I simply could not wait to take a long relaxing bath but first we had a trip to the Suntra Spa planned.

I could not resist a pic of my Black & White Mani against the bathroom tiles 🙂

As I mentioned the Suntra Spa, at 15 On Orange, recently changed hands and under went a revamp to make it bigger and more in line, with the rest of the hotels facilities. The Spa offers a range of specialty facial treatments by Guinot and Dermalogica, as well as an extensive array of body massages, exfoliation treatments, wraps and grooming essentials.

We were booked in for a back and neck massage. Once we had completed our customer cards we were shown to a couples treatment room, where we enjoyed a wonder half hour massage. We both sit at our computers, for most of the day during the week and I tend to carry all my stress in my neck, so this was complete bliss!

The staff at the Spa were knowledgeable, professional but above all really friendly. The treatment room was lovely and spacious but unfortunately a bit too dark to take any decent photographs!

Before heading back to our room we decided to take a look at the hotel rooftop pool, which is situated on the 7th Floor next to the spa. It was a bit cold and gloomy outside and definitely not swimming weather but what a view!

Once back in our suite we ordered a lovely, chilled glass of wine and I wasted no time at all, submerging myself into a hot bath!

Before dinner we popped into the Murano Bar, for a quick pre-dinner drink – I absolutely love the decor in the bar.

Dinner was lovely – a rather quiet romantic affair, just what we needed! A few of The highlights of the meal, for me, were the Salt and Pepper Fried Calamari, with Avocado salsa and squid-ink aioli and the Roasted Gemsbok Loin, with potato rösti, spiced red cabbage and black berry jus. Naturally, although really full by this stage, we could not resist at least sharing a desert, we opted for the Molten Valhrona Chocolate Fondant, with Blue berry frozen yoghurt. What arrived was a beautiful, edible work of art – which looked almost too pretty to eat!

It was definitely time to make our way back to our room and settle in for the night! One of my main worries with staying in the CBD is the noise, we have had a few bad nights away and been unable to sleep because of the street noise. Whether it was the extremely comfortable bed or excellent soundproofing – we both slept like babies.

Thank you 15 on Orange for a wonderful, pampered Romantic “Staycation” in the heart of Town – it was a real treat, definitely to be repeated!

Contact Details

Location: Corner Grey’s Pass and Orange Street, Mill Street, Cape Town. Telephone: 27 (21) 469 8000

CENTRAL RESERVATIONS: 0861 50 50 50, +27 21 430 5302 email: [email protected]
Disclosure Ranking: 2

Child Friendly Travel, International, Romantic Getaways, Travel, Travel Guide, Travel Wishlist

On My Travel Wishlist Réunion Island

As you know, I am an avid traveller, but I do not get to travel nearly as much as I would like! I have found the best way to curb my wanderlust, is to have a Travel Wishlist. Last year I shared an article on My Top Dream Destinations, I have already ticked Thailand off the list, which we visited last year and I am hoping to be able to explore Italy later this year! A destination not too from home I am dying to explore is Réunion Island. [Read more…]

Celebrations, Lifestyle, Local, Romantic Getaways, Travel, Weddings

Joy Wedding Venue at Gelukkie in Paternoster

We recently attended the launch of Joy Wedding Venue at Gelukkie in Paternoster. For those of you who have never been, Paternoster is a Seaside town, up the West Coast, approximately 2 hours from Cape Town.

Joy is the latest addition to Gelukkie, a smallholding situated just outside the town of Paternoster. Gelukkie is truly what I would call a hidden gem and is one of those rare, romantic places, which allows you to completely escape from the real world! As well as the recent addition of the wedding venue, Gelukkie boasts two beautifully appointed cottages.

Gelukkie is also home to owners Ruth and Andrew, a couple who have dedicated their lives to building a place, which is both unique and rather special!

Joy the aptly named venue, is the perfect setting for a magical wedding experience. The seaside location lends itself so well to creating an atmosphere, which is both elegant and relaxed. I love the simplicity of the traditional white washed-architecture, sage shutters and natural wood accents.

As well as gorgeous surroundings, a passionate and experienced family team, will ensure everything runs smoothly. A kitchen renowned for its excellent Fire Food is all you need to complete this picture.

The two beautifully decorated cottages, Klein Gelukkie and Nog ‘N Gelukkie, allow the bridal party the convenience of staying over at the venue. Paternoster itself, offers a wealth of additional accommodation options, for guests.

We had the good fortune of spending the night at Klein Gelukkie, after the event. What a spoil 🙂

Klein Gelukkie is a spacious self-catering cottage, containing a king size double bed, chill out room, dining area and fully functional kitchen. The decor is wonderfully quirky and the space is both cosy and inviting.

The kitchen opens out onto a beautifully landscaped private garden, which includes braai facilities.

Gelukkie offers the use of the Joy functions venue, semi-enclosed Garden Room, outdoor garden area and bar, as well as the services of wedding co-ordinator Cindy. You will also have the services of decorator and cook Ruth, and Byron and Andrew who will ensure that the food and bar services run like clockwork.

A variety of wedding packages are available and can be tailored to suit your specific needs. The team is on hand at every function to make sure that the bridal couple and their guests have a wedding experience, which only a sanctuary like Gelukkie can provide.

Visit the Gelukkie Website to find out more about celebrating your wedding, birthday or anniversary there or contact Cindy on 071 881 2831 or via email to arrange to visit and experience to magic of Gelukkie.

A big thank you to Cindy and her team for a wonderful afternoon and the use of their gorgeous accommodation!

Disclosure Ranking: 4