Polana Serena Hotel - Mozambique

Built in 1922 along sweepingly splendid lines, the magnificent Polana Serena Hotel has long been considered one of Africa’s finest hotels. Located on the leafy boulevards of one of Maputo’s most exclusive residential districts, the Polana Serena Hotel belongs to an elite class of world-famous hotels, which includes such timeless legends as; Raffles Hotel, Singapore; The Dorchester, London and The Ritz in Paris.
 
As part of the Serena Group’s commitment towards showcasing the best of local architecture, culture and heritage, the Polana has recently emerged from an extensive renovation programme, which has resulted in the presentation of a landmark historic building whose classic charm has been fused with the ultimate in world-class amenities.
 
Offering 142 rooms, many of which are spacious suites, the ‘Grande Dame’ of Maputo now also offers a choice of three restaurants: the all-day dining Varanda Restaurant, the Delagoa fine-dining experience in the French style; the Aquarius Restaurant and Bar, and the Polana Bar. The hotel also offers the ‘Maisha’ Mind Body and Spirit Health Club and Spa, a stunning swimming pool, extensive gardens, an exclusive residents’ lounge, a business centre, a beauty salon and three gift shops.

 
Meetings:
The hotel has four business executive conference rooms for small meetings, set in various shapes to accommodate 14 to 50 people. Recently refurbished, these venues are well equipped with WIFI connection and state-of-the-art audio visual equipment. A sideboard for coffee breaks has been incorporated in all rooms and a small coffee machine is part of the setup for guest convenience. 

The hotel has an exceptional venue in its restored Grand Ballroom. This room, with its neo-classical design and style, high ceiling, columns, crystal chandeliers, two beautiful galleries and state-of-the-art sound system, coupled with perfect acoustics, is unique in Africa. With a maximum capacity of 350 people the room was designed to easily adapt to your needs. Its veranda faces the pool and it is the perfect place for a quick refreshing break.
 
The Pool Bar with a unique location overlooking the Bay of Maputo, the Pool Deck perfect for cocktails and the Bowling Green with 500m2 area, complement the hotel’s offer of venues and pre-function areas.

Incentives:

• Inhaca and Portuguese Islands are located 30 Km off-shore, across Maputo Bay. Accessible by airplane (in 10 minutes) and by boat (1 to 2 hours), the main Island has a small village, a resort, a small airport, a popular seafood restaurant and a Marine Biology Research Center. The inhabited Portuguese Island (15 minutes away from Inhaca) is easily accessible by boat. Activities in Inhaca may be arranged through Gone Fishing, an operator based at Inhaca Lodge; and these include tours to Santa Maria beach and Indian Ocean, snorkeling, scuba diving, bird watching and hiking.  
• Cultural visits with arts and crafts 
• Themed dinners include Red Extravaganza, Ocean Touch; Silver, Classic Gold, Diamonds & Pearls; African Theme Décor

Gondwana Game Reserve – Garden Route

Situated in the heart of the Garden Route, Gondwana Game Reserve offers 11,000 hectares of dramatic terrain with free roaming Big 5 and awe-inspiring scenery that will stir your senses. It is the perfect venue for a range of events including executive getaways, corporate functions, conferences and product launches.  The reserve is accessibly located a five hours drive from Cape Town or 45 minutes from George airport, making it an easy choice for “meet-centives”.  Despite being only 15 minutes off the N2, once on the reserve, it is as if you are in the middle of nowhere with endless mountain views and green rolling hills blanketed in colourful Fynbos offering well over 1000 varieties.

The reserve boasts 2 luxury lodges - Kwena Huts a 5 star bush lodge with 14 stand-alone suites and Lehele Lodge a thatched, modern functions venue and boutique conference centre. There are 8 private bush villas on the reserve with 2and 3 en-suite bedrooms and open-plan design, which can be utilized for smaller, more private strategic sessions.

Meetings:

The contemporary conference centre at Lehele Lodge boasts:

·        A large wooden 5 meter long table seating 18 delegates boardroom style

·        Break away areas (indoor and out with tables and chairs)

·        State of the art technology including hi-definition data projector

·        Custom sized white projector screen

·        High clarity sound system including microphone

·        54 inch flat screen TV

·        Floor to ceiling glass folding doors leading onto outdoor deck with black-out curtains

·        2 x Apple Mac Flat Screen computers

·        Wireless internet connectivity

·        Back of house office support

·        Ceiling Fans in all areas

·        2 x fireplaces

 Incentives:

·         Malaria Free Big 5 reserve for safari activities,

·         wine tastings,

·         4x4 driving course,

·         Bush picnic or BBQ

·         Seating up to 80 guests for indoor dining they can be transformed into fairytale venues with table settings of your choice or left as is with contemporary solid wood tables and elegant, contemporary bush décor and panoramic views of the magnificent Fynbos reserve and wildlife. 

Tribes Hotel, Nairobi

Tribes Hotel, Nairobi

Tribes is a luxury boutique hotel set in the heart of Nairobi. From the hotel’s inspired architecture and interiors to the staff’s singular focus on service, a common vision pervades: the unity of form and function celebrated within the diversity of cultures, styles and materials.

Tribe welcomes guests to a luxurious experience. The hotel maintains a benchmark of

excellence in every aspect of its offerings. The 137 guestrooms and suites excite and

soothe at the same time – rich deep colours mix with natural stone and wood, stainless steel and glass features blend with rustic metal and handmade wooden furniture, world-class amenities and new age technology seamlessly complement local fabrics and artifacts.

Epic, the hotel’s restaurant, serves an eclectic mix of global flavours through the creations of Executive Chef Luca Molteni. The restaurant is trendy, sophisticated and unpretentious; pairing the freshest ingredients with visually striking design– a decidedly ‘fun-dining’ experience.

Kaya, Tribe’s exclusive spa combines traditional and new-world treatments from around the globe. The five treatment rooms and hair studio infuse a sense of tranquility through inspiring design – taming the body, mind and soul.

Meetings:

Tribe’s services and facilities are specifically designed to cater to the needs of the modern global-traveller, the VIP and the demanding celebrity. With an emphasis on security and privacy, the full-service concierge offers an unparalleled commitment to guest comfort.

Tribe's Executive Resource Centre offers the highest levels of functionality, design and technology - making it an ideal choice for those craving inspired meeting spaces and attentive service. Executive boardrooms offer the highest level of technology of any in the city and specialize in banqueting for intimate events and conferences.

Theatre style – 140 delegates

U-shape – 45 delegates

V-shape – 40 delegates

Schoolroom style – 60 delegates

Banquet style – 122 delegates in round tables

Incentives:

The feature “Sound Room” lets guests indulge in a private cinema experience and entertain business associates in an exclusive setting; a fully-operational business center is available to all guests.

Safari Camp in the Winelands at Rhebokskloof

A unique concept, in a well known venue, brings new life to Rheboksloof Wine Estate in Agter Paarl. This historic wine estate, tucked away behind Paarl Mountain, is located approx. 1hr20 min coach drive from Cape Town. It really has a most beautiful location, with views expanding over the vineyards and the Boland as a backdrop. The vineyards are grown on the slopes of the Paarl Mountain, and it is here, amongst rocky outcrops that Chief’s Camp have set up their latest venture. Traditionally known as a luxury mobile safari camp, with locations as diverse as the arid west coast, to the big five Pilanesberg, the owners, in conjunction the Rhebokskloof, have introduced a new concept …a mobile tented camp in the vineyards.

Combined with the numerous venues and activities already in existence at the wine estate, this offers wonderful opportunities for both meetings and incentives.

I have to admit that my initial reaction when I heard about this concept was, well why would you? I can safely say, having done this first hand, it is truly a memorable experience – the benefit of easy access to Cape Town whilst experiencing a new version of the safari camp. Livingstone would be proud!

There are numerous options to suit all budgets, namely the tented camp, but with all meals at the existing Rheboksloof restaurant or the full experience, with dinner & conference actually in the vineyards. The tented camp also has a newly built, permanent boma venue which is ideal for sundowner cocktails, or sitting around an open fire places in the late evening, swapping stories. Chief’s Camp can also set up just a dinner in the vineyards with out the tented camp, if guests are staying in Cape Town or surrounds.

Capacities run to about 140 tents, which could take maximum of 240 guests, although they assured me, with enough time to arrange, they could go larger.

Meetings:

Rheboksloof has an existing meetings venue seating 120 delegates schoolroom style, or a conference tent could be set up at the camp site. 

Incentives:

·         Other venues at Rheboksloof include the The Rhebok, a permanent, Bedouin tent roofed venue, safe from the elements that can accommodate a gala dinner of 350 delegates. The maturation cellar, out of harvesting season (Jan– April) can handle a dinner for up to 150 guests. The restaurant can seat up to 250 guests using both indoor and verandah area. The rolling lawns, leading down to the lake, offer opportunities for much larger groups, picnic style.

·         On-site there are 18 quad bikes, and access to 200 horses, which offers a multitude of teambuilding opportunities… think of cowboy’s at work or vineyard safari by quad bike.

·         The unique dinner under the stars, amongst the vineyards

·         Wine blending competition for up to 120 delegates. Guests a can also design a label and have the wining blend bottled as a takeaway gift.

Legends Golf and Safari Resort

Legend Golf & Safari Resort is one of the world's most eagerly anticipated Golf and Safari resort openings. Located adjacent to the Entabeni Reserve, and a mere 3 hours from Johannesburg, Africa's most talked about leisure venue has now unlocked the gates to its majestic monumental architectural Great Enclosure and is inviting golf and safari enthusiasts to enjoy the experience of a lifetime. As the Legend Golf  & Safari Resort Suites are built in the bush there are no fences or gardens within the resort grounds - just 210 wonderful rooms, built across the bush within the resort.

The suites, consisting of three or four individual bedrooms linked by walkways, offer accommodation of unmatched, timeless elegance dedicated to relaxation and reflecting the African wilderness.

Meetings:

Sofala Conferencing Pavilion
Under the gaze of the majestic Hanglip Mountain this pavilion has been specifically constructed with all the facilities expected at a resort catering for all conferencing needs.  The venue, seating 200 delegates, has all the facilities required to ensure a successful conference, event or exhibition.  Various wonderful breakout areas in the heart of the African bush are also available.

Monomotapa Banqueting Pavilion

Overlooking the majestic Monomotapa-style Great Enclosure and Amphitheater, this 300-seater pavilion, supporting the Sofala Conference Centre next door, caters for gala dinners, special events, exhibitions and conferencing dining.

Incentives:

·         Legends Golf and Safari Resort offers unique themed evenings at a plethora of dinner venues; the White Lion Boma, the cultural village, the Signature Course Club House, The Lookout Restaurant, the Glass Hall and bush dinners

·         “World-in-one” 18-hole Signature Golf Course and the unique Extreme 19^th

·         Malaria Free, Big Five game drives &  bush walk safaris

·         Helicopter flights

·         Traditional African entertainment and drumming sessions

·         Teambuilding activities such as archery, abseiling & target shooting 

The Extreme 19th Hole

A time to support these heroes and heroines

 I have reproduced this article published by Martin Lewis of Meetipie.  Big thanks to Martin for the support.



I write this blog from South Africa, a nation trying to play social and economic catch-up after decades of division and abuse of its people by Europeans.

Last week I visited Lions Sands Private Game Reserve (www.lionsands.com) as a guest of destination management company Green Route. This is a fabulous game lodge in The Kruger National Park which has been in the same family ownership since 1933. The More family take their responsibilities very seriously and focus on not one, but three 'bottom lines' - the other two being the ecology of the park and the communities in the area.

Lions Sands employs 85 per cent of its staff from the local community. Nearby Henna Pre-School used to look after 20 children in mud-walled buildings but since the turn of the century, with the involvement of Lion Sands, better facilities have been built and the number of children attending the school has risen to 250. Since then, Lion Sands’ involvement in Henna Pre-School has gown dramatically due to the need for basic education and healthy meals. Lion Sands co-ordinates projects for the basic upliftment of the school and its daily activities. As part of this they appointed Thembi Mdluli as facilitator to ensure funds are spent correctly. I visited Henna with Thembi and was astonished to see what she and Lions Sands have achieved.

This week I am lucky enough to be staying in more unadulterated luxury - a fabulous retreat called Bushman's Kloof in the Cedarberg Mountains of the Western Cape. All around us is an extraordinary sandstone moonscape with a river just a few yards from our room, its waters providing a babbling accompaniment to the wind in the trees. It is a heavenly place and Red Carnation Hotels - a family-owned group of top quality properties - has created something completely in harmony with its surroundings.

If you ever get the chance to come here, don't miss it. You can see the stunning setting at www.bushmanskloof.co.za. It is small, with just 17 rooms and suites, but it is big on conservation and cultural heritage. Like many such businesses in the region, corporate social responsibility is at the heart of the operation and the investment in CSR and conservation projects is significant.

Green Route again recommended this place to me. They, too, are actively involved in programmes that benefit the local community. One such is Gloria's Crèche, the informal name for Mazakheni Educare Centre, a tiny building in Cape Town's Khayelitsha township that provides love, protection, warmth, food and education for more than 100 young children up to the age of six.

I visited Gloria at the weekend because the registered charity which I chair - Meetings Industry Meeting Needs - has through Green Route funded the installation of a kitchen with equipment including a stove, to ensure the children could receive hot meals.

To say I was humbled by my visit is an understatement. Gloria is a hugely impressive lady who, together with seven helpers, provides a safe and secure environment for helpless youngsters. This provides the opportunity for both parents to work. Gloria charges the equivalent of £5 monthly per child and she provides three meals a day for these children. Do the sums - she has to pay her team out of this and they look after around 15 children each!

The stove we have provided has just four hot plates. Gloria and her team use these to provide food for more than 100 children three times a day! Gloria's Crèche has been such a success that she now has a waiting list of more than 60 children because her tiny building has run out of space.

Her next project is to provide a small outdoor play area with a climbing frame and swings so the kids can get some exercise. I will be asking my colleagues at Meetings Industry Meeting Needs to fund this, too.

Like many parts of Africa, the gap between rich and poor here is huge. People like Gloria and Thembi are trying to close that gap through wonderful projects such as this and they deserve our support. In a way, visiting alone makes a contribution because the arrival of conference and incentive tourists has a profound 'trickle-down' effect through the creation of employment. But if you can't visit and would like to make a difference, please go to www.meetingneeds.org.uk to see how you can participate.

I make no apologies for this brazen appeal in the season of Goodwill. Our industry already does a lot to help those less fortunate than ourselves. But we can do more.

I hope you have a great holiday.

Editor
MEETPIE

Green Route Team - spreading the Christmas Cheer!

 

This year the Green Route team decided to celebrate Christimas by getting together to make Christmas crackers for the children who will be spending Christmas at the Red Cross Childrens War Memorial Hospital. Some Christmas Carols, mince pies, sparkling wine .....and of course Kathy's famous white chocolate fudge biscuits.....all added to the fun!