Eight South African  Lodges count amongst the Conde Nast Traveler Top 100 Hotels & Resorts in the World Readers’ Choice Awards, which were announced yesterday.

The South African Top 100 lodges, with the ranking, are as follows:

3. Bushman’s Kloof  Wilderness Reserve & Wellness Retreat (photograph)

17. andBeyond Lodges & Camps at Sabi Sand Game Reserve

19. Singita Sabi Sand

20. Madikwe Safari Lodge

36. andBeyond Phinda Private Game Reserve

42. Singita Kruger National Park

45. Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve

47. Londolozi Gane Reserve

Commendable is that the South African lodges did so well, all falling within the top 50 of the list. The 3rd place ranking by Bushman’s Kloof is particularly praiseworthy! The property is described as follows: ‘Located on 18500-acres, this reserve offers light-filled contemporary rooms, a heated pool, a fitness centre, and a spa. Meals at Makana draw from native fynbos herbs and local meat, and guests’ stays are elevated by the spirit and insight of the affable staff who happily share native (sic) culture and history‘!  None of our country’s top hotels made the Top 100 list.

In a separate listing of Top 25 Hotels in Africa, excluding the above-mentioned resorts, 16 South African hotels made the Top 25 list, of which 11 are in Cape Town and the Winelands, shown below with their ranking: 

Belmond Mount Nelson (1) (photograph)

The Oyster Box (2)

Ellerman House (3)

Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa (4)

Birkenhead House Hotel (6)

Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa (8)

Babylonstoren (9)

La Residence (11)

One & Only Cape Town (12)

Cape Grace (13)

Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff (14)

The Table Bay (15)

Spier Hotel (18)

Taj Cape Town  (20)

Le Quartier Français (22)

54 on Bath (23)

The Belmond Mount Nelson is described by Conde Nast Traveler (with errors) as follows: ‘This flamingo-pink hotel at the foot of Table Mountain is on a garden estate near (sic) the Victoria & Alfred (sic) Waterfront. The British colonial-era property comprises four main wings, and the garden cottage suites are set behind a rose garden. Oasis Bistro dishes up Mediterranean inspired meals, while the fancier Planet Restaurant serves contemporary dishes. Don’t miss Afternoon tea, served in the lounge and on the terrace’.

Over 128000 Conde Nast Traveler readers participated in the 28th annual Readers’ Choice Awards, providing ratings and qualitative feedback on Rooms, Service, Food, Location, Design, and Activities.  Readers ‘declared a passion for the authentic, the personal side, the unexpected, finding all three in both newcomers and stalwarts around the world‘.

Source: Conde Nast Traveler.

Chris von Ulmenstein, WhaleTales Blog: www.whalecottage.com/blog  Tel 082 55 11 323 Twitter:@WhaleCottage  Facebook:  click here