or Saturday’s in Spring: part deux

a little sanctuary, please?

Ok forgive me, it’s been well over a month since the first Saturday but hey, what with unexpected cat illness, extreme financial duress and emulsifying car trouble (mixed with a little gentle decomposition of spring blossoms) any energy to write got sucked into one big black hole. Thankfully Pa Nguni’s painting sold which means I’ve room to breathe (and write) for another few months.

If you cast your memory like a silvery fish net, you’ll remember Amy and I setting off on an expedition to The ‘Bosch. Starting with (di)vine magic at De Trafford, our next stop was Sanctuary Spa for a little bit of pampering. I’ve been to a good few spa’s in my day (I’m a major fan of rustic bush charm à la Indigo Fields) so am rather fussy and would have rate the whole set up as ‘nice’ – the highlight being a foot massage in which I nearly dozed off. It’s possible I wasn’t in the best mood or totally relaxed: I’d managed to pack two bikini tops (yeah, WTFWIT?) and forget my camera in the restaurant which meant I still had to dash out before I could kick back and chill in the pool/jacuzzi/stream room. My, erhm, bottomless situation meant a trip to the mall in search of some suitable ‘swimming’ getup. And if you know the history (if you not, you will) Stellenbosch is not exactly my happy place since it’s where Duke D. Nile got arrested for drunk driving (but oh! he always takes a taxi when he drinks…) and hobnobbed it with a couple of married hobbits.

you're golden, baby!

Anyhoo, I lucked out in the swimwear department but recovered the camera (and a semblance of humour) and returned to find Amy lounging lazily in the spring sunshine, duly concluding that a spot of tea would be far more sensible (and much more lady like) than getting wet and cold splashing about in the pool.

While the spa notches a ‘nice’, the hotel lays claim to ‘heavenly’. Majeka House is a 5 star country manor and although you might think that sounds ‘stuffy’, recently renovated, the hotel is easily the most hip, happening place in Stellenbosch. Management took us on a brief tour and we were suitably impressed with what we saw: the rooms are luxuriously tasteful and boast ample ‘special’ touches that’ll turn any stay into a magical getaway. Along with the handwritten welcome note, the personal Lavazza pod coffee machine made me want to book in immediately. Back when I was scouting for conference venues, this alone would’ve assured Majeka House a place on the A-list. They even have a villa with a private pool and magnificent mountain deck – you want to be staying there!

turned down (the good sort)

But it’s charm continues: guests can dine at onsite Makaron restaurant which boasts an impressively extensive list of fine wine, très chic cigar lounge and bathrooms so fabulous you might find yourself waxing lyrical about a restroom. My highlight, however, has to be the downright festival/parade (think The National’s All The Wine) of a bar/cocktail lounge replete with sixty’s orb, classic piano, smoking chairs and backlit ‘mood’ bar. Oh yes, it’s trippy! Had we not made plans back in The City with Shelle for dinner and dancing, we d have stayed for supper and sipped cocktails til the moon set and the sun rose.

{ note }

If sculpture rocks your socks, go see 20Stellenbosch and spend the night at Majeka House (they’re running an awesome special)

bar none...

Majeka House is worth a visit – even if it’s just for a drink or dinner (though trust me, you’ll want to stay over if you can). It’s ultra-modern and super slick with a twist of warmth and humour suggesting that while they’re cool, they’re still grounded and down to earth. A quality I respect in any class act or establishment.

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