(Friday, 21 September 2018) Cape Town – On the evening of Thursday, 20 September 2018, the Sanlam Top Destination awards ceremony was held at The Bay Hotel where 34 accommodation establishments walked away with the winning title of ‘Sanlam Top Destination Award’ in their respective categories and star gradings.
It was an incredible evening showing recognition to the local entrepreneurs who make the South African tourism industry as great as it is.
In conjunction with title sponsor, Sanlam, Discount Traveler South Africa pulled out all the stops to ensure a special evening themed #MyHeartBeatsAfrica. Guests were serenaded by the sounds of Ricky Botsis as they sipped on welcome drinks from Ayama Wines, Disaronno, Woodford Reserve, Lakeside Breweries, Carabao, Happy Culture Kombucha, and Sir Fruit, as FoxBox pampered guests with express manicures and Bianca Hamilton-Brown offered hair touch-ups, ensuring that everyone looked their best.
The Master of Ceremonies were radio and TV personalities, Tracey Lange and Mamohau Seseane of KFM. The pair were dressed in show-stopping gowns by King of Couture, Jacques Lagrange and Project Runway’s Stephen van Eeden. The pair offered a captivating dynamic, keeping proceedings light.
Guests enjoyed a delectable three-course meal, perfectly paired with Ayama Baboon’s Petite Sirah 2017 for the starter and Ayama Baboon’s Cheek Viognier 2017 with mains. Guests were treated to magical dance performances by Tulu Entertainment and music by Danielle Bitton, adding an African Elegance to the proceedings.
The Sanlam Top Destination Awards awarded the finest selection from 13 400 establishments entered for this year’s awards, treating them to an array of exquisite giveaways throughout the evening. The awards commenced with a draw for four uniquely crafted David Green timepieces valued at R 4 000 each, a Jekyll & Hide travel bag valued at R 9 500 and one lucky establishment walked away with a Romatex bedding and linen set. Gift bags included goodies from FoxBox, Healing Earth, Carabao, Sanlam, Romatex and Zang Chocolates.
Finalists received up to R10 000’s worth of marketing from Granadilla Media to accompany their certificate and the 35 winners each walked away with the title of Top Destination in their category and star grading, receiving a winner’s certificate, trophy as well as an additional R25 000’s worth of marketing from Granadilla Media.
This year the Sanlam Top Destination Awards has added the Water Sustainability Award. The award has been created in conjunction with Water 4 Cape Town and Cape Town Tourism to reward the country’s most water conscious establishment. !Khwa ttu, a unique San Heritage Centre which combines culture and heritage with adventure and education, walked away with not only this honorable title but received a 3D Virtual Scan from 3D Virtual Africa to the value of R15 000.
Other major sponsors for the evening included Santam, Travel Africa TV, Magic AM, and the Phangela Group.
The winners of the Sanlam Top Destination Awards 2017 are:
Caravan-Camping
Ungraded: Strandskloof Caravan Park (Gansbaai, Western Cape)
Backpacker
Ungraded: The BIG Backpackers (Cape Town, Western Cape)
4* category: Once in Cape Town (Cape Town, Western Cape)
Self-Catering
Ungraded: Paulandi (Leeupoort, Limpopo)
3* Category: Strandfontein Accommodation (Strandfontein, Western Cape)
4* Category: Petit & Grande Plaisir (Franschhoek, Western Cape)
5* Category: Orange Grove Farm (Robertson, Western Cape)
Guest House
Ungraded: Oregon Place Guest House (Middelburg, Mpumalanga)
3* Category: Sun Bell Lodge (Cape Town, South Africa)
4* Category: Island Way Villa (Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape)
5* Category: Tree Fern Guest House with Spa (Fochville, Gauteng)
Country House
Ungraded: Edenbrook Country House (Plettenberg Bay, Western Cape)
4* Category: Blue Gum Country Estate (Stanford, Western Cape)
5* Category: The Wild Mushroom Luxury Country House (Cape Winelands, Western Cape)
Bed & Breakfast
Ungraded: Leopard Lily Bead & Breakfast (Potchefstroom, North West)
3* Category: La Teranga Accommodation & Conference Group (Eastern Cape, KwaZulu Natal)
4* Category: At the Nest B&B (Aliwal North, Eastern Cape)
5* Category: Azamare Camps Bay (Cape Town, Western Cape)
Lodge
Ungraded: Zanchieta Animal Farm (Bloemfontein, Free State)
3* Category: De Herberg Lodge (De Aar, Northern Cape)
4* Cateogry: Sunset Beach Lidge & Spa (Cape Town, Western Cape)
5* Category: Tintswalo Atlantic Boutique Hotel (Cape Town, Western Cape)
Game Lodge
4* Category: Morokolo Game Lodge (Pretoria, Gauteng)
Game Reserve
Ungraded: Lindani (Waterberg, Gauteng)
2* Category: Tented Adventures Pretoriuskop (Kruger National Park, Limpopo)
4* Category: Letsatsi Private Game Lodge (Vanrhysdorp, Western Cape)
5* Category: Buffalo Thorn Lodge (Rustenburg, North West)
Farm Accommodation
Ungraded: Holkrans Guest Lodge (Griekwastad, Northern Cape)
4* Category: Koekais Guest Farm (Griekwastad, Northern Cape)
Hotel
Ungraded: The Grey Boutique Hotel (Cape Town, Western Cape)
3* Category: Arendsrus Country Lodge (George, Western Cape)
4* Category: Krystal Beach Hotel (Gordan’s Bay, Western Cape)
5* Category: Lakeside Lodge & Spa (Lakeside, Western Cape)
For more information on the Sanlam Top Destination Awards please visit www.topdestinationawards.com.
