Welcome to the monthly Leisure Hotels Newsletter!
This month has been busy as usual with sports events and new refurbishments and additions in various hotels. The Lady Hamilton has been busy with their conference rooms, which are getting a facelift and are to be finished very soon. Other hotels have enjoyed a lot of sporting guests, visiting Cape Town for the various events that were held throughout April. Please read below for more.
The Two Oceans Marathon
The biggest event to come to Cape Town last month was definitely the Two Oceans Marathon. This world-famous running race has a route through some of the most stunning scenery in the Cape, and is possibly the world’s most beautiful marathon route. There is an ultra marathon route which is 56 km and there is a half marathon route which is 23km. The race follows the same route every year, via Chapman’s Peak, Hout Bay and Constantia.
Nick Bester (a former Comrades Marathon winner and widely respected sportsman) and a team of runners stayed at the strand tower hotel while they were in Cape Town to participate in the race. The team was extremely obliging and allowed us to take a picture of them as they were checking in. Lynn Vogues, the Front Office Manager of the Strand Tower Hotel participated in the half marathon, and we’d just like so say well done Lynn! That’s quite an achievement!
Ice Hockey World Champs in Cape Town
From the 11th to the 17th of April, the third division of the Ice Hockey World Championships was held in Cape Town, and the Strand Tower Hotel was privileged to accommodate the host team and their international competitors. Countries participating included Greece, Israel, Luxembourg, Mongolia, South Africa and Turkey. South Africa played extremely well, and came in second place, while Israel came first.
Paul du Toit sculpture
Paul du Toit, a renowned Cape Town artist and long-time friend of Jacques Osse, Director of Leisure Hotels, has been commissioned to design a sculpture intended to be displayed on the second floor, overlooking Strand Street. This week, the sculpture was unveiled, leaving passersby curious at the large aluminium figure.
The sculpture is named “That’s Me on the Corner.” You may find the name familiar, and indeed it is. One of Du Toit’s favourite bands is REM, and the sculptures name comes from the title of their early 90’s hit “Losing My Religion,” which includes the line “that’s me in the corner.” The aluminium pieces were created from a molten state by being poured into moulds. The metal also has many gaps in, for the raging South Easter wind to pass through. The gaps also signify negative spaces, something which Du Toit is rather taken by.
Pop into the Strand Tower Hotel to have a cup of coffee and a dessert in the restaurant and take a walk out on to the pool deck to admire the sculpture. Or you can take a look at it from the crossing of Strand and Loop Streets below.
Employee of the Month:
Gervais Loko, one of the restaurant waiters at the Lady Hamilton is always ready to go the extra mile to help guests and other staff members, and nothing is too much for him. When he is not serving guests at breakfasts and setting up the coffee and tea stations for conferences, he will be helping guests with their luggage or lending a helping hand to staff members where possible. This is truly a waiter that can multi task without ever saying he is tired or it is too much for him to do. He is dependable and always has the main goal in sight – make each guest’s stay a comfortable time, where all of their accommodation needs are met.
Events for May
The Wine Affair @ The V&A Waterfront
When: Tuesday 03 May 2011 to Friday 06 May 2011
Where: V&A Waterfront
How Much: Early Bird R75 until Sunday, 24 April 2011 otherwise R90 per person (Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday) and R110 (Friday)
This unforgettable occasion features wine estates from around the Cape and food from the surrounding restaurants in the Waterfront. The venue of the affair is located right on the water’s edge and offewrs incredible views of Table Mountain and Cape Town Stadium. Tastings and food are free but space is limited. There will also be a themed Tasting Theatre.
Riebeek Valley Olive Festival
When: Saturday, 07 May 2011 to Sunday, 08 May 2011
Where: Various destinations in the Riebeek Valley.
How Much: Free
The annual Olive Festival is held in the picturesque Riebeek Valley in the Boland area, which is also known as the Shiraz Valley. Various cuisine favourites and other produce as well as entertainment from live acts are the order of the day. Also, renowned local artist will be exhibiting their works. There is also a kiddies play area to keep the kids entertained while Mom and Dad can explore the festival.
Autumn FAB Bridal Expo 2011
When: Saturday, 07 May 2011 to Sunday, 08 May 2011
Where: CTICC
All those due to walk down the aisle will benefit from this annual bridal extravaganza. Exhibits at the exhibition feature all aspects of a wedding, from cakes, to dresses to confetti.
Experts will be at the fair to give their assistance to future husbands and wives.
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Net Prophet
When: Thursday, 12 May 2011
Where: Mutual Park, Pinelands, Cape Town
How Much: Free – register online
The Net Prophet event is a yearly start-up event and features the innovative, creative and successful leaders in the technology and digital industries who share their knowledge.
It is the biggest event of its kind in South Africa and seeks to build innovation, especially in the online space.
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Franschhoek Literary Festival
When: Friday, 13 May 2011 to Sunday, 15 May 2011
Where: Franschhoek
All those who are fans of literature should take a trip to the beautiful area of Franschhoek from the 13th to 15th of May. The Franschhoek Literary Festival features readers, writers, booksellers and publishers. Authors are asked to appear at the festival for excellence in writing, passion for literature and approachable manner.
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Good Food & Wine Show Cape Town
When: Thursday, 26 May 2011 to Sunday, 29 May 2011
Where: CTICC
If you love food and wine, this exhibition is not to miss. The Good Food and Wine Show takes over the CTICC this month and brings you the best gourmet chefs and all things culinary. It is South Africa’s top food and beverage exhibition, after all! International celebrity chefs will be showing off their skills, as well as the creme’ de la creme’ of local chefs. Workshops and booksignings will also be happening.
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Guguletu Wine Festival
When: Friday, 27 May 2011 to Saturday, 28 May 2011
Where: On the roof-top of the Guguletu Square mall, which boosts around 600 car parking bays
The Western Cape is famous for its wine production and products, and now the craze has come to Gugulethu! In what is to be the very first Gugulethu Wine Festival, Lulinge and Mzoli Ngcawuzele (from the famous Mzoli’s Place restaurant) has set the ball in motion to bring wine culture, and wine fans, to the area. His idea behind the festival is to create awareness in the black community in the Western Cape and create a greater market for fine wine in Gugulethu.
