REVIEWS SOUTH AFRICA, THAILAND CHECKING OUT ...long haul hotels, flights, trains and cruise ships HOTEL IZULU – KWAZULU NATAL, SOUTH AFRICA
BY JO AUSTIN THE BACKGROUND: This intimate five star hotel is one of eight privately-owned luxury properties featured in the Best of KZN portfolio. The former family home has been transformed into a luxury hotel featuring just five villas around a lush garden and swimming pool. Children are made very welcome and a mini maze encloses a herb garden. Each villa features four double rooms
over two floors with the top suites themed as Presidential (Mandela), Romance and Zebra complete with a zebra skin and stripes throughout. The Royal Suite covers the entire top floor of a villa with two bathrooms and its own Jacuzzi. In all, the hotel sleeps 38 guests. THE LOCATION: The hotel is just a 20-minute (R3000) taxi ride north from King Shaka International Airport. It is situated above the coastal town of Ballito, with limited views of the ocean but a short drive from the beach. THE ROOM: My room, The Romance Suite,
is just that, with sumptuous four poster- style bed under a heart-shaped picture and crystal chandelier. The colour-scheme is soft beiges and cream with dark wood and mirrors around the walls. There is a mini fridge (chargeable) safe, flat-screen TV and free wifi. The bathroom features a freestanding shower raised to give distant views of the ocean through the palm trees. There is a large glass and marble shower and two white porcelain basins. Amenities are Molton Brown. KEY FACILITIES: The hotel is popular with local businesses for meetings and small conferences and is also used for weddings and private parties. The Impilo spa features a range of Clarins beauty treatments RESTAURANTS/BARS: Lunch and breakfast are served around the pool or in the sun room. Gigi’s attracts guests from outside the hotel and offers an extensive a la carte menu for dinner. There is also a Chef’s Table in the kitchen as well as private dining in the wine cellar.
The Verdict
The hotel has a real family feel complete with two dogs and a cat wandering around the property. Staff are welcoming and this is the perfect place to start a tour of Kwa Zulu Natal for those wanting to avoid Durban.
RATES: Executive room R1695 and Deluxe R1915 pp per night including breakfast. The Royal Suite is R3695 pp. CONTACT: Hotel Izulu, Rey’s Place, Ballito, KwaZulu-Natal, SOUTH AFRICA
EXCEPTIONAL LOVED IT! PASS FARCE
Tel: + 27 (0) 32 94 63 444
www.hotelizulu.com Best of KZN
www.bestofkzn.co.za E:
capepanwa@aol.com
HOTEL FURAMA JOMTIEN BEACH – THAILAND
BY STEVE THOMPSON THE BACKGROUND: An elegant 4-star 38-storey hotel located on Jomtien Beach near Pattaya. The hotel has 450 rooms decorated with a blend of traditional and contemporary Thai with full amenities and facilities and a spectacular view of the beach. THE LOCATION: Located on Jomtien Beach on the eastern shore of the Bay of Siam, just a few kilometres from the very lively Pattaya and only 155 kilometres south of Bangkok. Transfer time from Suvarnabhumi international Airport is less than 1.5 hours. THE ROOM: Every room is complemented by one or more spacious balconies facing the ocean, allowing you to relax in privacy, whilst enjoying spectacular views of the beach and bay of Siam. There are five room categories ranging from the extensive two- bedroom suite, through to the superior. I stayed in an Executive Suite which offered an 80 square metre space comprising of a separate living room, large bathroom and well equipped kitchen facilities. The rooms
were very well appointed and extremely comfortable, all with Flat screen TV’s, high speed internet, in-room safe and mini bar. The room service menu was extensive, however the kitchen facilities allow guests to prepare their own basic meals. RESTAURANTS/BARS: The Halong Bai @ Furama is where Vietnam meets Thailand, serving amazing cuisine throughout the day. However if Vietnamese food is not your thing, then you can always head to the Garden Café to sample a variety of Thai and international cuisine. The Lobby Lounge is the perfect place to relax for a chilled-out evening. KEY FACILITIES: The hotel offers two fantastic outdoor pools, one on the fifth floor with magnificent views of the beach. The more energetic will love the state-of- the-art exercise facilities where attentive fitness trainers are on hand to answer your fitness questions. You can also relax in the spa and enjoy traditional Thai treatments.
The Verdict
If you want the excitement of Pattaya, but the ability to escape all the mayhem, The Furama Jomtiem beach is the best of both worlds - especially as they run a free shuttle bus!
RATES: All-inclusive packages available until September from just over £100, or half board packages available from £70. CONTACT: Furama Jomtien Beach, 457 Moo 12 Jomtien Beach Road, Nongprue, Banglamung, Pattaya,
EXCEPTIONAL LOVED IT! PASS FARCE
Chonburi 20150, THAILAND Tel: +66 3 841 8999
www.furama.com/ jomtienbeach
www.sellinglonghaul.com • July/August 2012 47
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