Tourism Update asked DMCs to selected their favourite boutique properties. Included here are some of the choices.

• The Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa, Sandhurst, Sandton

The Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa has long ruled the roost of boutique hotels in South Africa, achieving listing in numerous consumer travel polls. The property also offers one of the select fine-dining opportunities in the Johannesburg area.

Decorated with strong African themes and an eclectic, international art collection, the hotel epitomises refinement. The main building is dominated by a sweeping staircase, and the outdoor area by an impressive infinity pool.

Accommodation is available in the hotel or in the villas spread out in the gardens. The villas, connected to the main hotel by a skywalk with treetop views, are the last word in luxury, with their own plunge pools and dining space for up to 18. Some even incorporate their own spa suites. Butler service, the elegant art of high tea and a superb wine cellar are some of the benefits guests enjoy.

• Fairlawns Boutique Hotel and Spa, Sandton

Something of a surprise in suburban Wendywood in Sandton, Fairlawns is a sprawling sanctuary of landscaped gardens with several buildings housing luxury suites. These are spacious, sumptuous and individually decorated in a variety of themes, including contemporary, Eastern and French provincial.

The property has formal and casual dining options and a Balinese-style spa that offers Asian-inspired treatments. It is another collector of travel awards.

• 21 Nettleton, Clifton, Cape Town

A boutique hotel in sought-after Clifton where Cape Town’s most popular beaches are located, 21 Nettleton has five luxurious suites, the premier being the Presidential Penthouse with 360-degree mountain and ocean views from several balconies.  A sixth suite will be available from August.

Besides this, “the main draw factor is our human connection, personal relationships with guests and our unique approach to hospitality,” comments Dirk Jacobs, hotel GM.

Hugo Jankowitz, the owner of 21 Nettleton, always says he gets emotional when guests come to the end of their stay as it feels like old friends leaving.

“We provide travellers the chance to experience Cape Town in an authentic way that is one of a kind. We offer personal BBQs on our lawn, and hikes up Lion’s Head from our private gate in the garden. The house is full of South African grand master art pieces and design work from all over the globe, collected by Hugo over the years,” says Jacobs.

• The Last Word collection, Western Cape

The Last Word is a collection of three intimate hotels in the Western Cape. They are located in the village of Franschhoek (Franschhoek Hotel) known for its vineyards and gourmet experiences, in the exclusive suburb of Constantia in Cape Town (Constantia Hotel), and at Kommetjie, a lobster-fishing village on Cape Town’s Atlantic coastline (Long Beach Hotel).

The properties offer both suites and double rooms, but room complements do not exceed nine – this number being available at Constantia.

Guests receive a ‘bespoke’ experience at The Last Word, with private chauffeuring to personalised itinerary planning. Sunset rides in the Franschhoek Vineyards, exclusive cellar tastings, guided walks in the forests of Constantia and dinner bookings at top restaurants – all can be organised by staff who have insight into their locations.

• Ellerman House, Bantry Bay, Cape Town

This Cape Town property has long been a popular choice on the city’s boutique menu. With 11 rooms, two suites and two three-bedroom villas, the elegant Cape Edwardian mansion is perched on the slopes of Lion’s Head in the prestigious Bantry Bay.

Décor varies from room to room, and the hotel also has two lounges, a library, a dining room, three dining terraces, a spa, a fitness centre, pool, brandy lounge, wine gallery, contemporary art gallery and Champagne cellar.

The exclusive-use villas are privately staffed, have their own infinity pools and are built on multiple levels with three to five bedrooms.

• Tintswalo Atlantic, Cape Town

At the foot of Chapman’s Peak, Cape Town’s most spectacular mountain drive, is Tintswalo Atlantic, positioned on a pebbled beach with panoramic views of Hout Bay harbour, the dramatic Sentinel mountain peak, and the Atlantic Ocean beyond.

Each of its 11 suites, named for islands around the world, has a unique design and theme. The pool is heated and in the winter there’s a fire on in the lodge lounge.

The kitchen focuses on fresh, locally sourced and sustainable ingredients, served in the lodge dining room, which leads out on to an expansive wooden deck for sublime ocean views and fresh sea air.  The kitchen layout is conducive to interactive cooking opportunities – guests can sip a glass of wine and discuss food preparation techniques, while watching the chef at work.

• Delaire Graff, Stellenbosch

Delaire Graff Estate overlooks the Stellenbosch Valley in the Western Cape, and is now visited as much for its art collection as its wines and cuisine. It’s a meld of Cape Dutch architecture, African artefacts and styling, and original art from the owner’s personal collection.

The estate offers ten lodges to stay over in, all with double-height ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows, oversized beds dressed in the finest linens, and heated plunge pools with sundecks.

There’s a spa, a gym, and two well-reputed restaurants – the Delaire Graff Restaurant and the Asian-inspired Indochine. And, of course, the highly-ranked Delaire Graff wines to sample.

Laurence Graff’s personal art collection, a carefully curated showcase of South Africa’s finest contemporary artists, is on display at this estate.

• Silo Hotel, V & A Waterfront, Cape Town

Recently opened, the Silo Hotel on Cape Town’s Waterfront is located in the repurposed, heritage-listed Silo building, occupying six floors in what was once the grain elevator.

The five-star hotel is run by the Royal Portfolio, and its 28 rooms are individually designed and decorated. It also has a spectacular, 211sqm one-bedroom penthouse. Seven room categories are based on room size and views.  Rates are on the high side.

The building will also be home to the much anticipated Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa, which opens in late September.