17 July 2006

African Pride Hotels has announced that the 5-star Zorgvliet Wine Estate has joined their superior deluxe hotels, lodges and country houses portfolio. Zorgvliet, located in the breathtakingly beautiful Banhoek Valley just outside Stellenbosch, has a history dating back to the late 1600's. This historical estate takes up a key position in the African Pride offering, being the only property in the prestigious Cape Winelands area and will be marketed as Zorgvliet Vineyard Lodge & Spa. "Our portfolio now offers GUESTS an opportunity to experience a working vineyard, which goes far beyond a luxury experience in the Cape Winelands," said Danny Bryer, Group Sales and Marketing Director for Protea Hotels.

Zorgvliet boasts award winning wines, two restaurants and 19 luxury rooms overlooking the vineyards. The accommodation incorporates the Banhoek Vineyard Lodge, Le Pommier Country Lodge, Zorgvliet Suites, each containing six suites, in addition to a separate stand alone honeymoon suite. The luxury accommodation is complemented by the exquisite experience of gourmet food and award-winning wines, with the estate recently being named as one of South Africa's most successful cellars. It also offers visitors fine dining par excellence.

The original manor house underwent a complete transformation when the farm was bought by the Zorgvliet Group of Companies in 2002. Today, the building, which dates back to 1692, is home to the award winning Zorgvliet Herenhuis restaurant, renowned for treating GUESTS to fine dining and supreme hospitality. The Le Pommier restaurant, situated on a part of the historic Zorgvliet farm, has also earned a reputation for fine food and friendly service. The restaurants name is directly translated as "The Apple Tree", dating back to when the farm use to be an apple farm.

The Zorgvliet Spa is renowned for the quality of their highly trained therapists as well as the wide variety of body and skin treatments available to GUESTS. In celebration of its location in the heart of the Cape winelands, the Zorgvliet Spa uses the authentic TheraVINE range, which draws on extracts of the vine's powerful anti-oxidants, known to successfully combat ageing and act as an antidote to stress and pollutants.

Conference facilities cater for both the corporate and bridal markets, catering from 80 to 140 GUESTS. With two venues to choose from, Zorgvleit has become a preferred wedding venue, offering the perfect setting, award winning cuisine, luxury accommodation and the opulence of the Spa.