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The Twelve Apostles adds another accolade to its long list of achievements

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 17:22:47 +0000

The newly refurbished luxury five-star hotel in Cape Town, The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa, South Africa, part of the Red Carnation Hotel Collection, has once again been listed in the 16th annual Condé Nast Traveler Gold List 2010 as one of the 'Best places to stay in the world', elected by more than 25,000 Condé Nast Traveler readers.

This luxury hotel, also featured in the 2009 Gold list and the only member of the Leading Small Hotels of the World in Cape Town, is known for its unrivalled position on the dramatic slopes of The Twelve Apostles Mountain range. Boasting an eclectic mix of 70 contemporary African-style and classic European bedrooms and suites and one-of-a-kind Presidential Suite, this award-winning hotel also features one of the rarest private wine collections on the African continent, which accompanies the fine cuisine served in the much loved Azure restaurant. Such dishes as their ostrich carpaccio "are popular with Cape Towners - always a good sign."

Condé Nast readers remarked on the hotel's "gloriously isolated" location "with to-die-for views of the mountains and the sea." The Sanctuary, the award-winning cave-like spa, offering mountainside treatment gazebos "is therapy in itself." The staff exudes "a genuine happiness." And The Twelve Apostles' unrivalled conference and event facilities are perfect for local meetings or weddings.

Clive Bennett, Managing Director of the Red Carnation Hotel Collection in South Africa, comments, "Discerning guests return year after year due to our sheer commitment to offer an experience of a lifetime in a hotel with a location that is legendary in the hospitality industry. Our team of dedicated service ambassadors ensures that each guest experiences the hotel as if it were their second home. It truly is the attention to detail that shows why Red Carnation Hotels are so respected the world over holding true to our motto - "No request too large, no detail too small".

Sister hotels in South Africa include Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve & Wellness Retreat and the newly opened Oyster Box.

Red Carnation Hotels gear up for 2010 in South Africa

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 13:48:34 +0000

AS THE COUNTRY ENTERS THE LIMELIGHT

The top 50 most-searched-for destinations from UK airports for travel in 2010 have been revealed - and for the first time two South African cities, Cape Town and Johannesburg, have made the list. This is great news for Red Carnation Hotels, with three luxurious properties well placed to benefit from the increased traffic.

The surge in interest is not entirely unexpected. The current test series is obviously showcasing South Africa, it's less than 150 days before the kick off in the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa^TM tournament, and the beauty of the destination draws people to this lovely part of the world.

The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa is perfectly located for making the most of this amazing football tournament. It's conveniently close to all the excitement and action - just 15 minutes drive from Cape Town's Green Point Stadium! But it's sufficiently detached for true relaxation, peace and comfort. It has also been recently enhanced with an extensive multi-million Rand structural and interior design refurbishment. The hotel's unique and tranquil location offers guests the perfect opportunity to escape the mayhem of the city and to enjoy the awe-inspiring views of Table Mountain and the Atlantic Ocean.

Red Carnation's Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve and Wellness Retreat, just 270km from Cape Town, is far enough from the matches to offer the ultimate escape from the full-on frenzy that's going to engulf the cities. Ancient landscapes of wind-sculpted sandstone and untamed bush frame this luxury retreat, voted 'Best Hotel in the World 2009' in the Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards.

The group's third property, The Oyster Box in Umhlanga Rocks, is also preparing for a busy 2010. Durban's Moses Mabhida Stadium, hosting some of the games, is a 30-minute drive down the coast. Despite being so near the action, The Oyster Box is perfectly situated for those who want a peaceful place where they can recover from all the excitement. On the ocean's edge, set in its own lush tropical gardens, it's a brief five-minute walk from Umhlanga Village Centre. It's also conveniently located for quick and easy access to Afro-chic Durban city centre, international airports and numerous stylish shopping centres.

2010 is sure to be an amazing year to visit South Africa. The timeless beauty of the breathtaking environment, and the vibrant energy of the cosmopolitan cities, are being brought together by the world's greatest sporting event - so book up now and join in the fun!

Twelve Apostles Unveils New Look

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 13:40:48 +0000

The iconic five-star Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa, Cape Town, consistently wins more than its fair share of awards but this only encourages the owners to make even greater efforts. Recently voted the No. 1 City Hotel and No. 1 Hotel Spa in Africa and the Middle East in Travel + Leisure’s 2009 World’s Best Awards, and gaining an impressive score of 94.2 in the Condé Nast Traveler magazine 2009 Readers’ Choice Awards, this fine hotel has now been further enhanced with an extensive multi-million Rand structural and interior design refurbishment.

Founder and President Beatrice Tollman and her daughter Toni, inspired by the panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and towering peaks of the Twelve Apostles Mountains, have created a fresh and calming design scheme that artfully combines sophistication with simplicity and comfort with elegance.

The glorious seclusion of the surroundings has been used to great effect with the natural feel and character of the environment echoed throughout the bespoke designer bedrooms, lobby, corridors, 24-hour Café and one-of-a-kind Presidential Suite. The ambience has been achieved with light, warm fabrics; natural wood shutters in the bedrooms; plus various designs and colours of Bodrum marble and Thassos beige and white marble to create a delightfully decadent feeling in all the custom-built bathrooms. For convenience a pale blue LED night light provides subtle illumination.

Each en suite bedroom has been uniquely designed and decorated to suit every palate, using luxurious fabrics and scrumptious colour hues, personally chosen antiques, and custom furniture completing each room. White hardwood plantation shutters adorn the windows, which lead out to private balconies overlooking the Atlantic Ocean or the famous fynbos vegetation nestling below Cape Town’s magnificent Twelve Apostles Mountain range. Beds are the ultimate in luxury, complete with 400 thread count sheets allowing guests the most perfect night's sleep.

Skilled craftsmen, from the local area and further afield, provide a number of the more unusual items, such as mud chandeliers made from recycled clay as well as candy stripe wool carpets to emphasise the relaxed beach feel of Cape Town. A host of other thoughtful details have been added to meet every conceivable need: latest technology flat screen TVs in all rooms, iPod docking stations and wi-fi for sheer business convenience, all discreetly in evidence. Walls are adorned with impressive art purchased from local artists and antique houses round the world. The extensive grounds, already boasting a superb selection of sculptures, have become a showcase for the work of the most talented local artists.

Clive Bennett, Managing Director of The Red Carnation Hotel Collection in South Africa, comments that, “Excellence is the result of constant innovation and we are keen to take our already luxurious offering to an entirely new level. Discerning guests are constantly looking for a once in a lifetime experience with fresh pleasures and we’re confident that this stunning refurbishment will launch an entirely new era in the hotel’s illustrious history. Our staff pride themselves on providing the ultimate in customer service and can’t wait to perform on what they see as a magnificent new stage.”

The hotel’s already excellent green credentials have also been further enhanced with a redesigned kitchen. Under the direction of Executive Chef Roberto Carvalho, the kitchen has been transformed to create a world class environment that goes hand in hand with world class cuisine.

These improvements include a customised air extraction system. Installed by WSP consulting engineers, it uses a UV filtering system to remove all odours and turn all grease not caught by the filters into ozone for an environmentally friendly waste product. The new Capturejet Halton canopy, locally manufactured by AMMS, is a first for South Africa. It provides a healthy, fresh environment and ensures comfortable working temperatures throughout the year.

The level of investment and the sheer attention to detail clearly demonstrates why Red Carnation Hotels are so respected the world over. Nothing stands in the way of their passionate commitment to offer guests an experience unmatched throughout the entire hospitality industry.

For more information and/or reservations, contact The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa on (+27) (21) 437 9000, email bookta@rchmail.co.za or visit www.12apostleshotel.co.za .

Diamond Awarded for Azure at The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 13:08:16 +0000

A long time favourite amongst local and international guests Cape Towns much loved Azure Restaurant, at the 5-star Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa, recently voted the No. 1 City Hotel and No. 1 Hotel Spa in Africa and the Middle East, has for the 2nd year in succession been presented with a Diamond Award at the ‘2009 Diners Club Winelist Awards’ – the highest accolade awarded – for its superior and extensive wine list.

Azure Restaurant is headed up by the talented food and wine duo of Executive Chef, Roberto de Carvalho, recently selected by the South African Chefs Association to be part of the 2012 Olympic Team representing South Africa, and award winning Sommelier Luvo Ntezo, who took a world fourth place at the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, Young Sommeliers competition.

Comments Clive Bennett, Managing Director of The Red Carnation Hotel Collection in South Africa, which includes sister properties Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve & Wellness Retreat and The Oyster Box, “After 7 years of commitment, hard work, passion and a devoted team of industry leaders, chosen for their respective expertise, the hotel has been honoured with an array of accolades and this latest Diamond Award is a tribute to our dedicated staff members who strive to deliver service excellence by constantly refining their skills to present a 1st class experience to each and every guest. “

Azure is best known for its celebrated cuisine, pioneering Fynbos menu and its extensive wine collection, situated in the unrivalled setting of the Twelve Apostles Mountain Range.

Twelve Apostles Chef Joins Olympic Team

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 15:11:29 +0000

Roberto De Carvalho, Executive Chef of the 5-star Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa, part of the Red Carnation Collection has been selected by the South African Chefs Association to be part of the Culinary Team SA Training Squad for the 2012 Olympic Team representing South Africa due to his expertise and solid reputation in the industry.

Roberto has successfully secured his name as one of the leading Chefs on the African continent, probably most famous for pioneering the famous Fynbos menu at the celebrated Azure Restaurant, which remains a positive talking point amongst food critics and guests.
The fist team practice took place in August 2009 in the Centre for Culinary Excellence Skills Kitchen, the home of Culinary Team SA, in Johannesburg to prepare the 19 Chefs chosen from South Africa to learn from the 2008 Culinary Olympic team including skills transfer in order to improve and attempt to ensure that they manage to get gold medals in every category in 2012. This is in conjunction with the Verband der Köche Deutschlands e.V. (German Chefs' Association) and Messe Erfurt AG - updates will be available on the official website in due course.

States De Carvalho – “As you can imagine this is an incredible honour to represent South Africa and The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa on a worldwide scale as part of the ‘Culinary Team SA Training Squad’. I’m looking forward to the challenge and to learn with what are considered the best Chefs in the world and also sharing my skill set especially with the Fynbos influences. “

This is also a platform for the Chefs to meet their colleagues and highlight the latest trends regarding the chef industry in South Africa.

Two South African Red Carnation Hotels Gain Further International Recognition

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 13:22:01 +0000

Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve & Wellness Retreat located in the Cederberg and its sister property The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa, Cape Town, South Africa have been voted in the top 5 properties in the Middle East, Africa & the Indian Ocean category of the Conde Nast Traveller magazine, UK Readers’ Travel Awards 2009 and ranked in the ‘World’s Top 100’.

Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve & Wellness Retreat was voted in 3rd place and scored 93.18 and The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa gained 4th place and scored 92.46 out of the list of twenty properties in the region.

Comments Clive Bennett, Managing Director of The Red Carnation Collection in South Africa: “Recognition such as this position Red Carnation Hotels, which incorporates, within South Africa, Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve & Wellness Retreat, The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa and The Oyster Box, which opens 1st October, as Hotels offering distinctive quality and consistent service excellence. It goes a long way to strengthen the Red Carnation family brand in South Africa and ensures we strive to remain a leader in the field of luxury travel.”

Readers were asked to vote for the best the travel world has to offer, such as airlines and tour operators, cruise lines and hotels.

Visit www.cntraveller.com/ReadersAwards/2009 for further details.

The Twelve Apostles Hotel And Spa Introduces The ‘Bath Butler’

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 14:16:27 +0000

The award winning Twelve Apostles Hotel and its world famous Sanctuary Spa, Cape Town, recently recognised as the ‘Leading Spas of the World’ winner as well as voted by Travel + Leisure as the ‘No. 1 Hotel Spa in Africa and Middle East’, has launched its unique ‘Bath Butler’ to further pamper and offer a new spa experience to its guests in the privacy of the magnificent newly refurbished rooms, suites and Presidential Suite.

The Sanctuary Group has developed the ‘Bath Butler, which offers an extensive variety of treatments using the indigenous Moya range, renowned for their healing natural properties. ‘Bath Butler’ is private pampering at its best, without leaving the hotel room guests can now indulge in a personal, intimate bubble bath spa experience, by simply choosing from a selection of the Fynbos-based Moya baths prepared specifically for them, depending on their mood and at their convenience. A Spa therapist prepares the bubble bath at a temperature between 21 and 25 degrees in preparation for your arrival while the bathroom is lit with aromatic candles, adding to this holistic sensory experience.

The Moya Bath range offers a diverse therapeutic range, depending on the guests different needs and desires.
Buchu Bath will leave you refreshed and revived from the exotic mix of the Buchu detox oil which is Fynbos based.
Blissful Bath, made with the healing properties of Cape Chamomile will soothe away all the stress and tension, leaving you feeling relaxed and restored.
Euphoric milk bath: using only Cape May oils, this bath is perfect to dissolve away jet lag and fatigue. This is one of the most decedent and delicious Moya Bath Experience
Sensual Bath for two is ideal for sharing a memorable, sensual and intimate moment, a combination of oils will delight and enrich your skin and leave lasting memories.

Sanctuary Group CEO Alison Rightford comments, “With the introduction of the Bath Butler to The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa we have developed a new synergy between the hotel and spa itself. It’s our constant desire to listen to our guests needs and provide personalised options for guests to choose their preferred treatment. Hydrotherapy as we know has been recognised as one of the most effective and enjoyable ways to restore and revitalise the mind and body.”
The ‘Bath Butler’ is the use of only natural Fynbos essential oils by Moya. Since the dawn of time, the healing energy and therapeutic powers of Fynbos has been recognised now Moya has a revolutionary range of body care products that proudly shares the hidden secrets of this prized plant species with the world.

Note to Editors:
The term ‘Fynbos’ refers to the smallest, but the richest, of the world’s six floral kingdoms. “Moya” means soul, wind and spirit in many African languages and is synonymous with everything African: her life, spirit, beauty, riches, power, energy and hidden treasures.

The Sanctuary Spa Recently Voted No 1 Hotel And Spa! Introduces Acclaimed Spa Amenity, Dermalogica

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 11:36:47 +0000

The 5-star Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa, recently voted the No. 1 City Hotel in Africa and the Middle East and the No. 1 Hotel Spa in Africa and the Middle East in Travel + Leisure’s 2009 World’s Best Awards readers' survey, is proud to introduce a new Dermalogica range of treatments.

Management constantly strive to improve and listen to the needs and requests of their guests and has introduced a comprehensive survey that evaluated past, present and future guests’ needs and lifestyle trends and Dermalogica was high on the list of requests. The Spa has also received its accreditation as a Leading Spa of the World for 2010; the third consecutive year Sanctuary Spa has qualified for this accolade, securing its place as one of South Africa’s leading Spas.

Comments Clive Bennett, Managing Director of The Red Carnation Collection in South Africa, “We continually strive to offer guests a Spa experience that is unparalleled, in a setting that is not only unique but is enriched by the natural, healing energy of the Twelve Apostles Mountain range on one side and the calming influences of the Atlantic Ocean on the other.”

This coupled with nurturing therapists equipped that offer the best individual advice and the new healthy vegetarian menu created by Executive Chef Roberto de Carvalho in the Azure restaurant, offers a multi-sensorial and holistic experience like nowhere else. This adds to the existing and extensive range of Elemis and Moya products, treatments and therapies at the Spa itself and the alfresco glass gazebos, which are positioned gracefully on the mountain slopes. The Dermalogica products ensure a wider product choice for guests and are highly respected as well as internationally recommended. In particular the ChromaWhite, which accelerates, brightens and improves skin tone, while enhancing skin clarity to create a fresher, healthier appearance.

New treatments and packages will be introduced using a combination of the unique range of products.

Two Flights For The Price of One

Wed, 02 Sep 2009 08:21:02 +0000

The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa has launched a jet set style lunch experience at Azure restaurant, which is headed up by renowned Executive Chef Roberto de Carvalho.

Guests can now order two ‘flights’ with their decadent yet healthy lunch, which includes a private helicopter flight from the V&A Waterfront to The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa and whilst enjoying lunch, award winning Sommelier Luvo Ntezo takes guests on a wine flight to complement their meal. The ‘Flight of Wines’ has been created to offer guests an opportunity to ‘taste’ three unique wines with their meal therefore offering a comprehensive wine tasting educational at the same time - taking food and wine tasting to another level.

The popular Azure lunch menu offers healthier options such as chopped hunter’s salad, West Coast mussels and home-made chicken noodle soup as examples. For mains, Spinach and ricotta panzarotti topped with home-made tomato and basil sauce, mozzarella and parmesan cheese and crisp rocket leaves, oven roasted fish of the day seasoned with Maldon sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper, served with prawn and tomato risotto, grilled vegetable skewer and lime beurre blanc, Cape Malay chicken curry, crispy oven roasted duck and braised Karoo lamb neck.

Famous for its desserts, guests can indulge in Bea’s Cheesecake – a New York style baked cheesecake with apricot sorbet and fresh seasonal berries or the Rooibos crème brûlée served with hot chocolate “espresso”, a winter fruit plate, warm Cape brandy pudding served with hot Amarula custard and Honeybush-Buchu ice cream.

After lunch guests return to the V&A Waterfront with a private vehicle.

Costs are:
1 June 2009 – 30 September 2009 ZAR 675 per person

1 October 2009 – 31 March 2010 ZAR 695.00 per person,

minimum 2 guests.

Bookings can be made with Carlise Breedt:

Email banqueting@12apostles.co.za

Tel 021 437 9052