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Creating quite a stir among guests and locals alike, the newly refreshed spa at Fairlawns Boutique Hotel in Sandton is already gaining a reputation for its tranquillity, relaxed ambience, beautiful layout and of course it’s treatments, which are unparalleled. The 5-star hotel itself is located on sprawling grounds, and is one of Joburg’s most well known inner city hotels, and the new addition of the extended space and garden area in it’s Balinese spa now makes it one of the largest and most exclusive spa experiences in the city. Not only are the stunning lawns welcoming, and the entrance walk through to the treatment rooms reminiscent of a bamboo grove, but around every nook and cranny awaits either a beautiful Balinese statue or a water feature to catch your eye, and the sound of birds singing in the tree’s will already create the feeling of having stepped in to another…

One of South Africa’s favourite and super easy drinking wines, Durbanville Hills, have just launched their premium collection of wines, the Collectors Reserve – which is totally inspired by the energy and stunning scenery of Cape Town. What’s not to love? This new range is created from only the best grapes from Cape Town’s best vineyards, and like it’s name, has been designed as a collector’s item for both wine and art lovers alike. This is something unlike anything you have ever seen, or tasted, before. “To complement each of the wines in the range, Durbanville Hills commissioned local artist, Theo Paul Vorster, to pair each wine with a prominent landmark in Cape Town, most of which are visible from the winery.” says cellar master Martin Moore. “Vorster is known for creating unique pieces of art using hand-coloured linocuts, ultimately transporting viewers into an energised, playful dimension. To cement the…

We recently caught up with well-known local chef James Diack, who is the owner of The Brightside Group of restaurants, to find out what to expect from out dining experiences in the new year – what’s new, and what’s old news! James shared with us that source and cost will be the two largest driving forces for purchasing in 2019. This will shape what you see on your plate and also what you pay too. Chef James is all about sustainable food and farming and was recently awarded the SASSI Trailblazer Award for 2018. So, how we can be smarter about our food – knowing where it comes from and how it was farmed, and smarter with our money? Trend 1: Katsu Pork Katsu, which means “cutlet” in Japanese, refers to various cuts (often the cheaper cuts) of meat that’s been pounded to be really thin before cooking. The meat,…

We had never considered spending a night at an airport hotel in our own city, but after an amazing evening in the beautifully appointed InterContinental Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport Hotel we have to say that this is certainly something that we will be doing again. The hotel is situated in one of the prime spots at the airport – a mere minute or so’s walk away from the arrivals terminal, and boasts the title of South Africa’s only luxury airport hotel. And luxury it certainly is. The hotel serves perfect base for travellers that may be flying out early in the morning or evening, or even for honeymooners to relax and unwind after the wedding before jetting off to their Honeymoon destination. Some guests are international travellers in transit to their next destination that just need a spot to rest and unwind, and others are families travelling along for work…

It’s the new hotspot in Joburg, and if you have not yet visited The Bull Ring – make sure that you plan a trip to the stylish new racecourse, restaurant and event venue in Randjesfontein, Midrand. Deep in the heart of horse country north of Johannesburg, the newly revamped Bull Ring is set to accommodate a host of events. Horse racing enthusiasts will flock to enjoy the fixtures that will be added to and complement the horse racing calendar, while corporates can rent the land, as well as the chic new restaurant, The Bull Ring Grill and Bar, for events ranging from car launches to year end functions or sporting events. The venue seats 150 people easily and The Bull Ring Grill and Bar boasts a stylish industrial chic look with quirky touches, and an extensive menu, which caters for all occasions – from business lunches and after work drinks…

One of Joburg’s most anticipated events has to be The Wade Bales Cap Classique & Gin Affair which will be hosted on the beautiful Southern Sun in Hyde Park’s Rooftop Terrace Bar on 24th and 25th of November. Expect spectacular views and great music, makes for a stylish and sophisticated experience, spent sipping the finest bubbly and enjoying the coolest craft and international gins available in South Africa. Over 60 of South Africa’s premium MCC’s (all made in the traditional Methode Champenoise style), will be available to taste, and you’ll get to enjoy the likes of Graham Beck, Steenberg, Anthonij Rupert, Tanzanite and Boschendal to name but a few. Then taste and celebrate with the fastest growing spirit in the world, gin! There will be up to 50 craft and international gins to taste, with local producers present to share their knowledge and unique insights into what makes their particular…

UCOOK has just released their new Christmas Feast Box and we had the pleasure of trying it out for ourselves.  ‘Tis the season to be jolly! Thanks to UCOOK, you now have another reason to look forward to Christmas celebrations this year as SA’s largest meal-kit provider has launched their Christmas Feast Box and it includes delicious dishes that are perfect for entertaining this festive season. The UCOOK Feast Box encompasses everything you love about a warm summer Christmas – their chefs have designed the menu to be as simple and easy to follow as possible and have sourced the highest quality produce that is sustainable, free-range and locally produced. Starter options include roasted figs enrobed in prosciutto as well as spinach and ricotta ravioli. We chose the spinach and ricotta, which was quick and easy to make and packed with buttery goodness from the butter and sage sauce. Some…

It’s been three years in the making, but it has certainly been worth the wait for Nitida’s 100% Pinot Noir bubbly – The Grande Matriarch MCC 2015! Amber in colour, this refreshing and clean bubbly is one of our must haves for the festive season ahead. “After three years of hard work, we are finally releasing our very first 100% Pinot Noir bubbles, The Grande Matriarch. During the final stages of getting this wine ready, we realised that everyone’s expectations of a blush bubbly are very different and upon further investigation we also noted that the other 100% Pinot Noir bubblies on the shelves are also not what we had envisioned.” says Nitida winemaker, Daniel Keulder. “This gave us a clean canvas to make a serious style Method Cap Classique that ticked all the boxes of what we expect of a blush bubbly – a truly unique Nitida wine.” Adds…

Luxury is not just a price tag. It’s about beauty, experiences and moments that you’ll hold onto forever… and at LUX* Belle Mare and LUX* Grand Gaube in Mauritius, you’ll do just that, and more. There are beach resorts and then there’s LUX*. LUX* Belle Mare is situated on the east coast of Mauritius, in Belle Mare, roughly an hour’s drive from the airport. The resort is set on the island’s widest stretch of beach and, in my opinion, home to one of the most beautiful pearly white beaches I have ever seen. Driving up to the entrance of LUX* Belle Mare, you are immediately overwhelmed by the beauty surrounding it, and enveloped into an experience that plucks you from your everyday life and drops you into a world that demands you stop and take a moment. We were escorted to our beach-view junior suite upon arrival, and were blown…

It’s that time of year again, and most of us (okay, well we do) tend to clear out and tidy up our homes around the end of the year, getting rid of unwanted items, and also doing a bit of home decorating too. So when we caught up with @home’s trend specialist and product developer, Louise Vorster to find out more about what they have on offer, and what the international décor trend’s and looks are – we were delighted to see that the fresh green and natural trend is staying with us in to next year – as well as all our fave shimmery metallic items too. Mirroring the leading homeware retailer’s passion for all things functional and innovative @home’s philosophy is foundational to this year’s Christmas catalogue… Says Louise “@home offers inspiring on-trend products across a range of categories, and with the festive season in close sight, our…