Luxury in the Motherland: Cape Town, South Africa

October 2024. A month I truly will never forget no matter the length of time. I could have released this earlier I admit, but seasons shifts are a REAL thing and we are moving right through them. There's been even more shifts outside of my little world since I've came back from Cape Town honestly. So, whether you are escaping through travel, or staying at home, or saving this as a future bucket list destination I hope this blog finds you and keeps you at peace, discovery, and luxury. That's exactly how I would describe this experience so let's get right into it. P.S. It's a little lengthy, but I promise the read is worth it!

LuxuryofSPC First Travel Brand Partnership: How and Why?

Honestly, I could not show you a vision board or goals list stating that I would be hosting international luxury group trips for black women from what started as a very grass rooted luxury hospitality blog. Let alone including the support of a black women owned luxury group travel company. I first interacted with Tin Trips as a travel consumer after my best friend (hey bestie!) introduced me to a once in a lifetime experience to visit Bali. Simply put, went to Bali, Indonesia for the first time (Luxury and Wellness in Bali Review) and was excited to share my experience with my blog community. The engagement was truly authentic and received by many. Next, Tin from Tin Trips reached out to explore opportunities to grow her brand and mine. The relationship and alignment between hospitality, travel, entrepreneurship, black travelers, and luxury has been growing ever since. This blog is dedicated to Women's History Month because black women truly R O C K!

L to R: Tinashe, Founder & CEO Tin Trips | Skye, Founder of LuxuryofSPC Hospitality

VIP Arrival for a Luxurious Stay: Private Luxury Villa

VIP's arrived in Cape Town greeted by signage and the driver arranged by Tin Trips to escort travelers from the airport to the Private Luxury Villa that served as lodging during the duration of the trip. Located about 30 minutes away from the airport, Llandudno Beach sits on the coast of the bottom boarder of South Africa. So in simple terms, we were definitely in the South of Africa haha! The villa sat on a gorgeous hill facing waves directly from the South Atlantic Ocean. To see views in live action, see IG Reel: Private Luxury Villa. 8 rooms total all varying in style and design were equipped with welcome gifts sponsored by Tin Trips, NaturallyIndy Urban Cosmetic Glow (UGC), and LuxuryofSPC Hospitality - yes all Black Women!

Luxury Amenities & Services. If its one thing I take seriously, its guest service provided in luxury hospitality and the team providing the services. Needless to say either did not disappoint! Amenities and services included private and secure entry to the villa, pool, indoor spa sauna, private kitchen & Chef Nadia who prepared tasteful meals daily for VIP's, house attendant, housekeeping attendant, multiple communal and lounge spaces, and fire places. VIP's truly felt magical each night of their stay and on the last day we did not want to vacate the premises LOL! View gorgeous details below:

Photo Credit: Luxury Private Villa, Lee v. H.

Day 1: Two Winery Visits in South Africa

On Day 1 of the itinerary, VIP's visited two wineries for a full tour and tasting experience. The first Winery Spier 1682 was located in the Stellenbosch area in Cape Town. We were greeted by our sommelier for a three wine tasting experience including a creative box. This box included grape details paired with a pairing of delicate sample desert samples. The wines included two reds : Cabernet Blend and a Shiraz blend and one white wine: Sauvignon Blanc Blend. All wines featured at this tasting came from the Spier Wine Farm dating back since 1682 and the tasting rooms vary inside of their farm house including stylish deco and other award-winning wines available for purchase. Some VIPs left this tasting with some favorites and not so favorites on the scales. For me, I could have enjoyed more of the desiccant desserts as they all tasted delicious with the wine pairings.

The second wine tasting experience took place at Waterford Estate also located in Stellenbosch. The views of this estate included a scenic water fountain in the middle of the tasting courtyard and green scenery capturing the sunny weather. This tasting took place outside and featured three white wines (no pairings). Once we were introduced to the wines and learned how each wine were produced (fermentation was one of the processes discussed), the group had a chance to walk around and take scenic wine pics and cheers to an amazing wine tasting experience. Since South Africa is one of the largest wine producing countries, experiencing wine tasting from wine vineyards in South Africa was an all round dreamy time for the VIP's. Note: Both wineries offered pre-paid purchase and shipping available for any of the wines sold at the wineries.

Photo Credit: Spier 1682 & Waterford Estate, Lee v. H.

Day 2: Quad Biking Atlantis Dune & Gold Restaurant Welcome Dinner

Quad Biking Atlantis Dune. "Beep Beep! Who got the keys to the Jeep...Vroom!" Straight from my girl Missy Elliott and baby my VIP's did! To be totally honest I never participated in AV/Quad bike riding excursions on any of my vacations, but from what I've seen from social media and even from the experiences shared by some of the group this was something to look forward to. Now from the experiences I have seen mostly, I was ready for a muddy terrain, but what I was not prepared for were the stunning, wide-open views of vast white sand dunes stretching in every direction. Words couldn't simply describe, but experiencing this with the ladies made me feel like I was a part of the baddest women tribe ever. Our guide was not only patient, but quickly instilled confidence in us as we followed his lead (safety first) and command the never ending views and terrane. Lastly, the group was able to pause and capture photos of the experience.

Photo Credit: Atlantis Dunes, South Africa

Gold Restaurant Welcome Dinner. Later that night, the VIP's and I dressed to theme in heavenly white to formally commence the Welcome Dinner. Gold Restaurant located in Cape Town offered an authentic African dinner tasting alongside traditional drumming lessons, tribal face paintings, and African style dinner service. Once my ladies arrived we were seated family style and were given mini traditional African drums to partake in a drumming lesson. I promise the beats were not hard to pick up and I honestly believe my table sounded the best, but I could also be very biased.

Okay so are the African dishes THAT different than what we consume here in the states? No. If you enjoy dishes like curry, goat, and vegetables then you are already ahead of the curve. During this 14 dish tasting -yes you read correctly- 14 dishes were served in tasting portions so that each dish can be enjoyed without feeling overwhelmed and overindulged. Some dishes that were new to taste included ostrich and lamb sausage in a tomato sauce. The ostrich honestly tasted just like seared steak and a few of us agreed. However, my personal favorites were the African fish cakes and the samosas served throughout the dinner. See more of their 14 dish tasting menu here. Lastly, the night ended in a dance session on the main stage with one of the entertainers of the restaurant. The entertainer clearly did not know Americans had moves and one thing my village will warn you about is my ability to CUT UP the dance floor honey (an honest warning for all of my events haha). See the video of VIP's enjoying the evening of dancing and feasting here.

Photo Credit: Gold Restaurant, South Africa

Day 3: Robben Island Prison & Table Mountain

Robben Island & Mandela Freedom. Whew! Day 3 started with an extended travel journey as the group needed to leave Cape Town and catch a ferry to Robben Island. What is Robben Island? Well this is where the prison was located and where the late Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for part of his political sentencing (as we learned during this tour that Mandela was moved to other prisons besides Robben Island) during his early activist days against apartheid. Mixed emotions could be the theme for this tour as we were able to see for ourselves the conditions prisoners were in while serving time on Robben Island. The tour guides did not only provide detailed information and history of the prison, but also served time themselves as prisoners. Once the facility closed down years later, prisoners were given the chance to serve as tour guides for Robben Island. As grateful as we were to learn about the political movements, conditions, and in-prison protests, what was not so gratifying was knowing why and how prisoners were sent to Robben Island. Political prisons such as Robben Island were different than criminal prisons as prisoners were held for speaking against major political leaders, ideology, and/or propaganda. PS. do not ever loose your voice to speak up for what is right!

Table Mountain. After our visit from Robben Island VIP's headed to the iconic Table Mountain located in Cape Town. Now as I mentioned earlier, a fun fact is that Cape Town is a city surrounded by breath taking mountains. So the journey to get to the top of the mountains included a Table Mountain Ariel Cableway climbing up a total of 3,563 feet above sea level. After the panic and screams, the journey was worth it as the views captured all of Cape Town and the experience literally felt like you were above the clouds in the sky. This excursion is frequently visited by tourists and featured a trail with historic facts of Table Mountain, a pop-up bar, gift shop, and of course instagrammable moments.

Photo Credit: Table Mountain, Lee v. H.

Day 4: Safari Day in the Motherland

On Day 4, VIP's were ready to experience a traditional excursion in Africa through our Safari Day at Aquilas Private Game Reserve and Safari. Upon arrival, we were able to indulge in a freshly prepared catered lunch prior to our safari adventure and was greeted with rose wine upon arrival. Once lunch was completed, we entered a safari truck and began to observe real African animals in real time. Pro Tip: Do not during your safari excursions get too close to the animals or stick any objects including phones outside of the truck as you are in. Safety first. We were able to see with our own eyes elephants, zebras, tigers, lions, hippopotamus, giraffes, rhinoceros, and more! Luckily, our amazing photographer (Hey Lee!) was able to capture these animals in motion during this tour.

Photo Credit: Aquila Private GameReserve and Safari, Lee v. H.

Day 5: Leisure Day + Goodbye Sunset Cruise & Dinner

Now for all of my group trips, leisure days are definitely built into the itinerary as we all know group trips can be exhausting. So VIP's had the opportunity to explore Cape Town on their own, revisit an excursion, relax, and do some shopping before heading back to the states. So although I do not have photos for this per se, I would recommend checking out Greenmarket Square in Cape Town for local finds and discovery. Fun Fact: A few of my VIP's (myself included) actually received tattoos in South African and the experience: 10/10.

Later that evening, my VIP's OUT DID themselves with the final cruise and dinner fits and the assignment was very understood. Our private cruise sailed from Victoria & Alfred Waterfront as we popped bottles of champagne and sailed into the sunset views of Cape Town jamming and vibing as we all knew the night and trip ended successfully. After the sunset cruise, VIP's indulged in delicious dinner at Quay Four Restaurant located right by the waterfront pier. Menu and dishes were delicious and fresh as all of food in Cape Town certainly were fresh and prepared to order.

Photo Credit: Sunset Cruise, Lee v. H.

Until Next Time October 2025 Italy and Greece: Thank you VIP's

Thank you. Thank you to the supporters who truly championed me throughout this experience. The opportunity to hosts black women internationally and uphold the standard of luxury, fun, safety, and respect I do not take lightly especially being a black woman myself. During my experience in hospitality I was taught to understand that professionally, you are a part of making guests memories unforgettable! Cape Town was just that and I look forward to welcoming and hosting a luxurious trip to Italy and Greece in 2025. Remember Black women been doing this ... and we will continue to do it!

xoxo,

LuxuryofSPC Hospitality