Grande Roche
Cape Winelands, Paarl, South Africa
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GRANDE ROCHE
- PAARL (CAPE WINELANDS), SOUTH AFRICA
 Nestling
in the fertile Paarl Valley, a mere 30 minutes drive from Cape Town,
lies the exquisite Grande Roche Luxury Estate Hotel. The Paarl Valley
itself is redolent with the history of European culture, being one
of the first regions of the Cape to be settled by the emigré French
Huguenots and Dutch over 300 years ago.
To this idyllic environment, the eraly
settlers brought their architectural and agricultural savoir faire.
And they left their mark.
Today, the lovingly restored original
Manor House is still the center-piece of a thriving vineyard where
export grapes are grown to plump perfection. Yet even though it still
retains its discreet intimacy, the Manor House has taken on a new role
as the reception and dining area of one of the most outstanding luxury
hotels in Africa. Step back in time and experience the unhurried elegance
of Grande Roche.
The Grande Roche of Paarl has become
a legend on the local hospitality scene
for having
won
a formidable
array of awards
and culinary accolades since its opening in January 1992. This
gem of South Africa is set on a gentle slope overlooking vineyards
and
rugged
mountains, the manor house and its sprawl of individually decorated
suites are a gentle alternative to the hurly-burly of big city
life. It is the
hotel’s subtle attention to detail that sets it apart from
the rest.
This five-star estate hotel in the heart
of the Cape Winelands has been instrumental in putting the country
town of Paarl on the international tourist map - as a suburban retreat
and a country hotel of the world. |
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Grande Roche includes an historic Manor House with 34 luxury suites
and is situated on a working wine farm, adding to its special ambience
and charm. All suites are equipped with airconditioning, heating facilities,
mini bar, radio
and TV in
the
lounge as well as
in the
bedroom, direct
dial
telephone, fax facility optional. All bathrooms are fitted with heated
towel rails, gowns, radio and telephone, separate bath and shower facilities
and 2 wash basins.
The Grande Roche suites are as follows:
1
Honeymoon Suite: Lounge, bedroom (king size bed), bathroom (double shower and jacuzzi), private sun terrace and separate enclosed patio, DVD/CD Player. (50m² + terrace 28m²).
5 Standard Rooms: Integrated lounge/bedroom (3 king size, 3 queen size beds), bathroom (separate shower and bath; Saddle with shower only). (+/- 37m² + +/- 45m² own terrace or lawn).
5 Duplex Suites: (Suites on two levels) Ground level: lounge, guest toilet first floor: bedroom (5 twin beds), bathroom (separate shower and bath facilities), 2 wash basins. (+/- 65 m²).
5 Junior Duplex Suites: (Suites on two levels) Ground level: lounge, guest toilet first floor: bedroom (5 queen beds), bathroom (separate shower and bath facilities, Semillion Suite with shower only), 2 wash basins. (+/- 50 m²).
18 Terrace Suites: Lounge and bedroom (14 twin beds, 4 king size beds), bathroom separate shower and bath, double basins), underfloor heating, front terrace with garden furniture and ceramic and terracotta flooring, overlooking the vineyards. All on one level. (51m² + terrace 27m²).
Grande Roche stayover packages offer
luxury, comfort, gourmet menus and imaginative itineraries - ranging
from sporting activities to the tourist route of the winelands.
All rooms offer:
• Flowers, fruits and mineral water on arrival
• Individually controlled air-conditioning
• Under-floor heating
• Digital telephones
• Satellite television (suites have TV's & DVD's in the lounges and TV's in the bedrooms)
• An electronic safe for valuables
• A mini bar fridge
• Tea/coffee making facilities
• Hairdryer, bathrobes, slippers and umbrellas
• Molton Brown amenities in the bathrooms
• Internet access via the telephone line.
Facilities
Many couples choose the Grande Roche for their nuptuals
in the estate's historic chapel and for the sumptuous wedding feast at
the Vineyard Venue, as well as the luxury of its honeymoon suite. Grande Roche caters for its international
and local clientele, comprising golfing, tennis, and horse riding fanatics,
gourmands and winelovers, honeymooners or the whole family.
Bosman's Gourmet restaurant: open
air dining with spectacular views
Tarantella Bar
Barbecue area
Kraal pool, gym and massage room
• own masseur
• sauna and steambath
• fitness room
• pool with quiet suntan area
• shower facilities
24 hour room service
Antiques/African art gift shop
The Paarl Golf Course.
The swimming pool at the gym.
2 floodlit tennis courts
2 swimming pools
Historic chapel for intimate weddings
or meditation
VIP VW Caravelle bus
Helipad
Hair salon and shopping nearby
1 suite for disabled
Dining
Award winning Bosman’s Restaurant ranks among the world’s
greatest for its superb gourmet cuisine and service. Among its achievements
is the
coveted Relais Gourmand status and best wine list awards, a tribute to
its well-stocked cellar of 300 vintage wines.
Bosman’s international
team of chefs, restaurant staff and sommeliers offer a most memorable
dining experience. The dining room is housed in the renovated Cape
Dutch manor house built in 1707.
The winelist features more than 300 wines
- concentrating on a broad spectrum of excellent Cape wines, some very
mature and unusual wines, as well as a selection of imported wines.
Grande Roche sommeliers have been rated as "thoroughly conversant with
the carte and aware of the effect of sauces and spices on the wine."
Executive chef Frank Zlomke, who has
been with Bosman's Restaurant since its opening in 1992, has been the
mainstay of the reputation for culinary excellence that Bosman's has
attained. He is assisted by German-trained head chef Jochen Riedel,
who has been at the hotel for seven years. Gourmet contemporary French cuisine (+/-80 seats)
Summer: terrace and patio outside seating (+/- 60 seats)
Breakfast: 07:00-10:30 (buffet/a la carte)
Lunch: 12:00 - 14:00
Dinner: 18:30 – 21:00 (a la carte and set menus)
Winter gourmet festival programme (wine-, music-, cigar-, epicurean dinners)
(off season)
Huguenot Room: private dining room (14 seats)
Private wine cellar with over 300 vintage wines on offer and own sommeliers
Tasting area
Conferences & Banquets
A perfectly appointed conference centre accommodating up to 200 people
and the outdoor amphitheatre seating 350 serve the public and business
community for launches, special functions and offers an ideal venue for
the performing arts.
Activities
Day trips on original Harley - Davidson (self
ride or with chauffeur) through the wine lands, or as pick up from
the airport. Additional car
for luggage required. (1-12 guests )
“Champagne Breakfast” or “Sunset Ride” or
even picnics on horse back through the vineyards of a wine estate near
Paarl.
Day trips with wine tasting also available.
“Mystical Bainskloof Meanders” ;
Scenic drive to the Bainskloof pass followed by an easy hike through
the Happy
Valley, past the crystal
clear Witte River and mountain pools. Refreshments included. Picnic optional.
Half day or full day tour available for 2-24 guests.
Champagne breakfast on horseback
Sightseeing of Paarl in horse drawn carriages.
“Rent - a - Bike “, daily guided fun-cycling trips of Paarl and winelands
(tours of various lengths 20-90 km), excluding meals. ( 1 - 20 guests ) Transport
of bicycles to other venues possible.
Helicopter trips around the Peninsula
or Robben island or for a lunch into the winelands. Trips start from
Cape Town (V&A
Waterfront) or from the Grande Roche Hotel..
Black tie dinner on Grande Roche's Amphitheatre
stage with classical live music complemented by corresponding entertainment
and decoration: (15-120
guests ) Medieval, Cape Malay, Fisherman's Wharf, Nautical, Oriental,
Eastern, French, British Pub Evening ,Rock 'n Roll or Arabian Nights
“Fynbos experience in 4 x 4” -
get in touch with the famous Cap Fynbos at a trip of the Paarl nature
reserve in
Land Rovers guided
by a nature conservationist. Trip ends with a light snack and some wine.
(2-5 guests )
Transfers in luxury limousines, vintage cars or Harley Davidsons.
Charter flights to Kagga Kamma, the "Place
of the Bushmen",
(Bushmen paintings up to 6,000 years old, exotic rock formation, game
viewing and hiking trails), with or without overnight stay.
“Doing it the old fashion way” - Sightseeing of winelands in beautifully
restored vintage cars with driver, MG's (5 available), limousines or even vintage
bikes. Full- or Half-day tours available. Wine tastings or meals optional
“Town ship experiences“ guided
by local tour guides, who will give some back ground Information.
With visit
of the Ikhwezi community
centre and projects. (1-15 guests )
Charter flights to Bushman's Kloof ”the worlds oldest art museum”,
with or without overnight stay.
Banquets in the Vineyard Venue with the following theme variation complemented
by suitable entertainment: Medieval, Cape Malay, Fisherman’s
Wharf, Nautical, Oriental, Eastern, French, English Country Garden,
Rock and Roll, Black and White, Black and Gold,Tropical Island or Arabian
“Sundowner” with Snack
Buffet at the Afrikaans Language Monument . Musical entertainment
optional. (5-40 guests)
Hot air ballooning (weather permitting),
followed by champagne breakfast (1-4 guests )
Wine / Brandy / Port or Cheese
tastings at surrounding estates or at Grande Roche Hotel conducted
by producer or sommelier
(2-80 guests). “Schnapps” tasting
at the “Wilderers” farm for up to 16 guests. Purchasing is
possible at all venues.
“Fly fishing” of rainbow
trout, small mouthed bass and sunfish. Professional tuition and fly
fishing clinics can
also be arranged. Picnic
hampers available. 7 km away from Franschhoek.
Clay Pigeon Shooting combined with a rustic barbecue. Horse riding and
hiking also available. (max. 22 guests)
“4 X 4” overland experience.
Near Paarl, meals can be arranged additionally. Self drive or with
chauffeur. (1-30 guests)
Candlelight Dinner on Zandrift wine Estate,
in the old church / wine cellar (max 30 guests )
Whale watching cruises or sunset
cruise on the Atlantic Ocean with different transfer options (Helicopter,
Vintage Cars, Harley
Davidson, luxury combis…)
Starts from Simon's Town or the V&A Waterfront (Cape Town), trips
take +/- 3 hours. (1-145 guests, scheduled and private tours available)
Awards
Grande Roche's most recent accolade is being selected by Wine Enthusiast magazine in the United States, as one of the top eight resorts worldwide
with great winelists. Its superbly stocked cellar with close on 300 vintage
wines, in addition to more than 6500 bottles, has won the Diners Club
award, three times for the best winelist of the year and recently was
a winner of the 2001 Diners Club Diamond Award, for its winelist, and
the excellence of our wine cellar.
Bosman’s Restaurant was named as South Africa’s
top de luxe restaurant by the American Express/ Style magazine for two
years in succession. In the German gourmet magazine VIF, it scored 18
out of 20 points. It was also rated among the Top Ten Restaurants of
South Africa in the 1996 Perrier Restaurant Guide and in Flying Springbok
Magazine.
The Grande Roche Hotel was ranked among
the 10 top wine country hotels of the world in the 1998 October issue
of America’s
Food and Wine magazine. The hotel ranked with other exotic destinations
for an ideal wine getaway including a castle, convent and farmhouse in
the foremost wine-producing countries of the world. Grande Roche was
described as “South Africa’s most hedonistic property”.
The Grande Roche was ranked in the Tatler/Abercrombie
and Kent Travel Guide with the world’s top five “hidden charmers”,
along with Strawberry Hill in Jamaica, Les Fermes de Marie in France,
The Cotton House in Mustique and Twin Farms in Vermont.
Bosman’s Restaurant has three times
been the only restaurant to gain five stars for its wine list in Wine magazine’s
Top 100 Restaurants - the latest being the 2001 edition, with a five
star rating for its food and ambiance.
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