SOUTH AFRICA HOTEL SOUTH AFRICA

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The Steenberg Hotel: Living history

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Catharina Ustings Ras founded the "Swaaneweide" on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain as long ago as 1682. 13 years later, the first grapevines in South Africa were planted on this wonderful estate. What is therefore the oldest wine-growing estate in South Africa, today named after the stunning mountain formations in the close vicinity, houses the magnificent Steenberg Hotel. This luxurious estate with several historic building complexes lies at the foot of the Steenberg Mountains only a few minutes' drive from the pulsating metropolis of Cape Town.

Romantic legends have grown up around the history of this wine-growing estate, rich in tradition, and its founder. Despite having five husbands, this unusually self-confident for that era remained the head of the flourishing estate. Most of the buildings were erected during the course of the 17^th and 18^th centuries.

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The exclusive hotel restaurant was called Catharina after the founder. On Sundays, a jazz lunch with live music takes place on the restaurant terrace that is nicely shaded by tall trees.

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A feeling of exclusive reserve and inviting elegance greets guests in the restaurant bar. Steenberg is famous for its high-class, prize-winning wines. The best way to start a journey through the estate's history is with the exclusive Steenberg 1682 sparkling wine or a glass of Sauvignon Blanc Reserve.

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©SH.	Inside, the Catharina will captivate you with the noble charm of a long bygone era. In this exclusive atmosphere, hotel guests can enjoy excellent South African cuisine: An entrée of Knysna oysters, Malay kingkip for the main course and perhaps a berry sorbet for dessert.

The hotel's exclusive suites are located in the various separate buildings of the estate: In the Manor House, Jonker's Huis, the Barn, Swaaneweide and Spurwing Houses.

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Jonker's Huis, in which the son of the family once lived after his marriage, is one of the oldest buildings in Steenberg. Sumptuous carpets lead you into the stylishly furnished suites.

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A comfortably furnished communal lounge, where a nice homely fire crackles in the grate in the evening, and a sunny terrace outside are part of every ensemble.

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All the suites in the hotel have been individually designed and furnished with choice antiques.

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A British mixture of patterns and strong colour contrasts give this suite a refreshing touch.

Its bathroom, fitted nicely under the sloping roof, presents itself with a white bath set in marble and with dark wood panelling all round.

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Colour-coordinated fabrics and decorations give each room a personal touch. Valuable antiques from all over the world show the cultural diversity of South Africa.

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A golden frame shines on the fabric wall-covering with lengthways stripes. The large skylight lets in the warm sunlight.

With its modern four-poster bed, this luxurious suite in the Swaaneweide invites you in for sweet dreams.

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Here, clear lines and natural materials dominate the modern interior. With its simple shapes, the high-quality wooden furniture is reminiscent of the handicraft tradition of the Shakers.

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The bathroom, flooded in light, is a feast for the eyes. Here, too, a classic, simple interior with marble, high-grade woods and warm earthy tones is predominant. Mirrors and metal frames give the whole room a silvery gleam.

Steenberg with its main buildings and annexes was officially declared a National Monument in 1969 and since then, it has been carefully and stylishly renovated with considerable expertise and consideration for old building traditions.

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Bizarre mountain formations provide a picturesque backdrop to the venerable wine-growing estate. Well-tended gardens invite you to take a stroll. Steenberg is also an ideal starting point for long excursions into the locality, either on foot or on horseback.

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Leisurely hours can be spent on the pretty terraces of the individual buildings. Two large swimming pools and a modern gym and fitness area with aromatherapy and massages also offer a pleasant opportunity to relax.

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The Steenberg Hotel golf course, created by the golf course designer Peter Matkovich using natural features as hazards, is also extremely popular. In the background, Table Mountain soars up among the gentle foothills of the Silverline Mountains and Elephant's Eye.

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Numerous water hazards, slopes and narrow fairways make the popular course a real challenge. If you like, you can take private golf lessons to improve your handicap. This exclusive course forms a picturesque border to the clubhouse and the wonderful hotel complex

Constantia Valley is part of the famous wine route to which Stellenbosch and Franschhoek also belong. These winelands on the gates of Cape Town are known not only for their fruitful vineyards. Numerous dream roads take you through the picturesque landscape and link the sleepy towns and villages.

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Steenberg Hotel at a glance


.	Category	Luxury hotel
	Place	Constantia Valley at the foot of the Steenberg Mountains.
	Hotel complex	The oldest wine-growing estate in South Africa with five historic buildings, each with different categories of rooms and suites: Swaaneweide House: Cincaut Suite, 2 Presidential Suites; Spurwing House: 3 Presidential Suites; The Manor House: Manor Suite and 4 luxury rooms; The Barn: 5 standard rooms, 2 luxury rooms, 1 luxury family room, 1 family suite; Jonker's Huis: 4 deluxe rooms, 2 luxury rooms, 2 standard rooms
	Furnishings and fittings:	7 standard rooms: upper floor, en-suite bathroom; 10 luxury rooms: comfortable furnishings, en-suite bathroom; 4 deluxe rooms: spacious rooms, en-suite bathroom; Manor Suite: four-poster bed, lounge, furnishings in classic African colonial style, en-suite bathroom; Cincaut Suite: spacious room with separate living area, en-suite bathroom, terrace; 1 luxury family room: 1 bedroom, separate living room with sofa-bed, 2 bathrooms; 1 family suite: 2 bedrooms and 1 bathroom; 5 Presidential Suites: spacious room, en-suite bathroom, terrace; all rooms are individually designed and equipped with air-conditioning/heating, minibar, tea and coffee-making facilities, satellite TV, safe and bathrobes.
	Amenities	Steenberg restaurant "Catharina": Breakfast, lunch and dinner offering an excellent choice of African specialities; wine cellar, pro golf shop, private golf lessons, Lady's Bar in the golf club, laundry service, hairdressing salon, beauty salon, baby-sitter, gym and fitness area with aromatherapy, massage, Reiki, 2 swimming pools, 18-hole golf-course
	Activities	Walks, bird-watching, riding, guided wine tours
	Distances	20 minutes by car to Cape Town and the airport, a few minutes' drive to the beach in False Bay.