Delaire Graff Lodges & Spa South Africa
Delaire Graff Lodges & Spa
Helshoogte Pass, Stellenbosch, 7602
South Africa
www.delaire.co.za
HOTEL INFORMATION
Group
N/A
Shareholders
Privately owned
Date of Creation
2009
Hotel General Manager
Mr Werner Wentzel
Prior to Delaire Graff Estate, Werner most recently spent five years at Pezula Hotel as well as a host of prestigious properties locally and abroad, including a number of hotels within the Relais & Châteaux family: The Cellars-Hohenort Hotel, Gravetye Manor, Chewton Glen Hotel & Spa and Grande Roche Hotel. His strong Food & Beverage background continues to make an invaluable contribution to Delaire Graff Estate, a unique property that offers two outstanding restaurants, a state-of-the-art winery, Wine Lounge and picturesque vineyards in addition to our luxurious Lodges, Villa, Spa and boutiques.
Hotel Positioning
Relais & Châteaux
Development Strategy
N/A
DELAIRE GRAFF LODGES & SPA
History & Story
Overlooking the vineyards of Stellenbosch from its mountainous embrace, Delaire Graff Estate is South Africa’s premier wine, hospitality and art destination. Laurence Graff first visited the Estate in 2003 and felt a strong connection in an instant – it was love at first sight. An avid collector of modern and contemporary art, a world leader within the diamond industry and an equally devoted philanthropist, Laurence Graff opened the doors to Delaire Graff Estate in 2009. The Estate was transformed into an extraordinary luxury destination – The Jewel of the Cape Winelands – offering the exclusive Lodges, two outstanding restaurants, a state-of-the-art winery, a destination spa and luxury boutiques.
Date Renewal
A stunning extension of the Graff brand, in October 2018 Delaire Graff Estate announced the opening of six new Superior Lodges.
With architecture by DHK with interiors designed and curated by David Collins Studio, the Superior Lodges sit beautifully within the landscape and incorporate bespoke materials and soft furnishings throughout. The design team opted for texture, softness, subtle African motifs and the feeling that everything was hand-worked.
Date added extensions
6 x Superior Lodges December 2018
Main Strengths, Special Touch
A truly sophisticated Winelands experience, stay at a Delaire Graff Lodges & Spa and capture that ultimate feeling of escape. Our Lodges’ welcoming calm and gentle holistic ethos is to offer guests an elegant sanctuary. Enjoy light and airy spaces and spacious interiors, thoughtfully conceived with everything the discerning global traveller could need. Our tranquil Lodges are havens in which to relax and unwind.
Location
A botanical paradise in a dramatic mountain setting, Delaire Graff Estate is situated at the foot of the iconic Botmaskop Mountain in the Banghoek Valley just outside of Stellenbsoch, and only a short drive to the historic Franschoek. Stellenbosch is a university town in South Africa’s Western Cape province. It’s surrounded by the vineyards of the Cape Winelands and the mountainous nature reserves of Jonkershoek and Simonsberg. The town’s oak-shaded streets are lined with cafes, boutiques and art galleries.
Key sites/activities in the area
Tours through the Cape Winelands not only include world-class wineries, but also some of the country’s finest restaurants and galleries amidst a host of outdoor experiences from hiking and cycling routes to golf, helicopter tours, farmers’ markets and picnic locations. On the Estate, experiences include two flag-ship restaurants, namely Indochine and Delaire Graff Restaurant, a bespoke Wine Lounge, as well as a holistic and rejuvenating Spa. Furthermore, explore the luxury boutiques of Africa Nova, 100% Capri, Vana and of course the exclusive Graff diamonds store.
Fun Facts
About 40 km to the east of Cape Town, lying in the folds of a continuous belt of Cape fold mountains, lies a series of generous valleys known as the Cape Winelands – a collection of historic towns, little hamlets and Cape Dutch farmsteads that provide well-regarded South African wines to the world. These mountains create an incredible scenic backdrop for a myriad vines, but they are also one of the reasons wines do so well here. Their geological compositions provide unique soil conditions that directly effect the character of wines crafted in the region.
The Botmaskop bordeaux-style blend of Delaire Graff is one of South Africa’s most awarded red wines, acquiring a near-cult status within the wine community. The namesake of this sophisticated wine is a historic peak upon which the estate vineyards grow. Originally named Bootmanskop, meaning ‘Boat Man’s Peak’, the picturesque Botmaskop Peak with expansive views over the Cape Peninsula and Atlantic ocean served as the lookout point for the Huguenots, settled in Franschhoek. From this vantage point, sailing ships entering Cape Town’s Table Bay harbour 50 kilometres to the west were easily sighted. Upon discerning trade ships on the horizon, a signal would be given from the Peak announcing the impending arrival to surrounding farmers alerting them to a potential market for their fresh produce. Farmers would then make the long and dangerous journey to port through the treacherous Banghoek Valley, ‘Scary Corner’, and over the Helshoogte Pass, meaning ‘Hell’s Heights’, in order to trade.
Children’s Corner
All children are welcome. Delaire Graff Lodges & Spa provides each child guest with an activity book to explore the Estate and keep all ages entertained with a collection of puzzles, games, coloring in pages and a fact-finding hunt throughout the property. A cinema is also available for the use of lodge guests where the little ones can be entertained with a movie of their choice, as well as an extensive DVD list for viewing in the rooms.
HOTEL FEATURES
Accommodation
• Number of Lodges: 16
• Presidential Lodge (x2) (Two bedrooms, 130 square metres). A large dining area and spacious living room. Wide glass doors open to a private terrace and heated pool with endless views of the Stellenbosch Valley, Table Mountain and vineyards;
• Superior Lodges (x6) (One bedroom, 76 square metres). The perfect Winelands escape, features immaculately designed interiors, by the celebrated David Collins Studio incorporating bespoke materials and soft furnishings. The private outdoor space features a heated plunge pool with panoramic views of the Estate vineyards;
• Luxury Lodges (x4) (One bedroom, 70 square metres). This beautifully crafted lodge features views of the Stellenbosch Valley and Estate vineyards. The lounge has a dining table for two, and the glass-fronted, en-suite bedroom opens onto a private wooden deck with heated-plunge pool;
• Deluxe Lodges (x4) (One bedroom, 70 square metres). A luxurious, private garden retreat with a lounge and one bedroom that both lead out onto a private wooden deck with a heater-plunge pool overlooking the garden.
Restaurants & Bars
• Delaire Graff Restaurant
Best described as ‘sunshine cuisine’ that harnesses the vitality and warmth of the sun. Creative bistro-chic cuisine blends the bountiful ingredients of the region with balanced flavour, beautifully presented. Each dish is created with classic techniques and a sense of whimsical creativity. Dine beneath the oak trees overlooking a sea of vineyards and orchards, or enjoy the cosy interiors adorned with pieces from a private art collection. The experience of Delaire Graff Restaurant is about the joy of our guests.
• Indochine Restaurant
Virgil Kahn, Executive Chef at Indochine, is our expert craftsman of Asian-influenced cuisine. Withing the evocative, fine dining food theatre beneath the art installation, Swallows in Flight, delicate flavours come alive and each dish is synonymous with balance, creativity and memory.
Wellness
• World-class Spa (4 x suites)
• Techno gym
• Swimming pool & terrace
• Jacuzzi
• Walking/trail runs in the vineyards
• Hike Botmaskop Peak
• Bicycles for Lodge guests
• Private heated plunge pool situated at each lodge, as well as a full-sized pool & terrace for all guests
Corporate & Celebration Events
Enjoy a moment on the Estate exclusively crafted for you. Bespoke private occasions at the Delaire Graff Estate are where exceptional dining, drinks receptions, celebrations are partnered with our world-class hospitality. Our team is on hand to create special moments in a variety of private locations. Enjoy the Delaire Graff Estate experience in a setting that suits you. Contact our reservations team on +27 21 885 8160 or email events@delaire.co.za.
Extra Notable Features
• Private Cinema
• Private Art Collection of Laurence Graff
• South African Flagship Graff Store
• Helicopter access
Hotel and restaurant Awards
2015-2020
• 2020 Forbes Travel Guide 5 Star Destination
• 2019 Wine Enthusiast, Wine Star Awards, ‘Experience of the Year’, Top 5
• 2016 Best of Wine Tourism – First Place in ‘ Art & Culture’ as well as ‘Wine Tourism Restaurants’ (Delaire Graff Restaurant)
• 2015 Relais & Chateaux Garden Trophy
Number of employees
315