The Credentials
If you’re heading to South Africa and plan on exploring the famous Garden Route, then make sure you stop at The Manor House at Fancourt in George. If you’re big into your golf, then you better get practising, because there are three stunning golf courses waiting for you – and so much more. Recently refurbished, the luxury hotel is located in Fancourt, a huge private lifestyle resort, at the foot of the Outeniqua Mountains. While the boutique hotel feels like a very private affair, with just 18 rooms, a pool and quaint gardens, also on the estate is another, larger (115 rooms) 4-star hotel, and what I can only describe as a small village. Cobbled streets are lined with homes, some rented out but many permanent residences. I mean, who would want to leave when you have four restaurants, hiking and biking trails, a hair salon, tennis courts, a gym, indoor leisure pool, spa facilities, and beautifully manicured greens right on your doorstep?
Sleep
Of the 18 rooms at the Manor House, 13 are Homewood Suites (60 sqm), four are Oakland suites (73 sqm), and there is also one master suite (155 sqm). Our suite was beautiful and spacious, with a small entrance hall (where the mini-fridge, drinks counter and coffee machine is located); living area, with a huge television and plush velvet sofa; bedroom, featuring the most comfortable bed, and a large bathroom, with two sinks, a huge shower and bathtub.
Each room also has a small outside area, which opens onto a courtyard, where the main pool for the Manor House is located.
Little touches made our welcome extra special: champagne on ice, afternoon tea (just what we needed after a long drive), and a wonderful selection of luxury toiletries such as body scrub, body lotion, foot balm, lip balm, hand cream, and more.
Dine
There are four restaurants at Fancourt and Manor House guests have access to them all. During the daytime, Monet’s is the place to be. Overlooking one of the golf courses, with the Outeniqua Mountains as the backdrop, it’s a wonderful spot to sit and enjoy a long lunch. My friend and I did exactly this one day, where we enjoyed a seared tuna salad with avocado, red onions, fresh green vegetables, and radishes, as well as the ‘fish of the day’, which was line fish, grilled and topped with garlic breadcrumbs, and served with seasonal vegetables and roasted new potatoes. Executive Chef Desmond Morgan prides himself in using in-season, local (where possible) ingredients to make innovative and delicious dishes. This certainly ticked all the boxes.
For dinner, we headed to La Cantina for a true Italian feast – and it didn’t disappoint. Whilst we chose our food (and our wine), we nibbled on fresh focaccia, dipping it into golden olive oil. We tried the fried baby squid with aioli, crayfish pasta and creamy tomato gnocchi. The squid had a lovely light batter and was perfectly cooked, the pasta full of rich seafood, dotted with prawns and chunks of crayfish, and topped with half a crayfish. The pudding was tiramisu – which we shared – and was just the right balance of cream versus coffee. The restaurant also serves homemade pizza, grilled meats and fish, so there are plenty of options for everyone.
The other two restaurants are Henry Whites, which was unfortunately closed when we visited, and the Club Lounge. A popular spot with golfers, the Club Lounge is the place to go for American-style food like club sandwiches and burgers.
Breakfast for the Manor House guests is served in the La Cantina restaurant, and it’s quite the feast: fruit, pastries, cake, bread, yoghurt, homemade granola, smoothies and freshly pressed juice – the pomegranate juice was delicious, and locally sourced too. There’s also a hot plate, where guests can eat everything from a full cooked breakfast to poached eggs, pancakes, and omelettes.
The hotel also offers picnics, which guests can enjoy on the lawn. We were treated to a beautiful picnic on our arrival, set up in our own private spot, with blankets and cushions. Inside the basket was an abundance of treats: mini quiches, cured meats, mozzarella and tomatoes with pesto, grilled aubergine, artichokes, olives, fresh bread, a selection of cheeses with candied figs, and some chocolates to finish. It was absolutely wonderful. A real feast fit for a king (or queen). If you’re travelling as a couple, this really is something quite special to treat yourselves to.
Out and About
The Manor House is just 7km from George Airport, and close to the popular destinations of Mossel Bay, Wilderness, Oudtshoorn, and Knysna. So there’s plenty to do, whether you visit the local towns, spend the day at the beach, go horse riding, kayaking, or hiking in the mountains. The Manor House is more than happy to arrange activities, offer advice, and even transfers if required.
At Fancourt itself, there is enough to keep you occupied for days. And I’m not just talking about the three golf courses (one of which is no.1 in South Africa). Play a game of tennis, go for a cycle, relax by the pool, hit the gym, browse the boutique shops, read a book in the grand library, or visit the spa. It almost feels like you’re in the Roman baths, with the tall pillars and high ceilings. If you visit in the evening, just as the sun is setting, you’ll be encompassed in the most wonderful pink hue, as the fading sun shines through the large windows. As well as the baths, there’s also a steam room, tepidarium, jacuzzi, sauna, plunge pool, and 12 treatment rooms.
The Crowd
The hotel was mostly full of couples, aged roughly 25 – 65. Some were on honeymoons and others enjoying a break from a busy road trip on the Garden Route. On the golf course or in the restaurants you’ll likely see a slightly older age group of people, most of whom have holiday houses or live at Fancourt.
The Worst Thing
There isn’t one…
The Best Thing
I loved having a range of activities to enjoy right on my doorstep. And although Fancourt is a large place, the Manor House still keeps its own character and intimacy. I also can’t commend the staff enough; they went above and beyond and made us feel very special.
The Details
Rates start at R6,255 / ca. £318 per person per night including breakfast, high tea, one in-room meal, return transfers from George airport and a luxury courtesy vehicle within a 10km radius.
The Manor House, Fancourt Montagu Street, Blanco, George, South Africa 6530
www.fancourt.co.za
reservations@fancourt.co.za
+27 44 804 0000.
