Locating a conference venue along the scenic, ever popular garden route is a fairly challenging dilemma as there are so many options and such incredible diversity in choice. A preferred choice for business meetings and conferences, the garden route boasts magnificent natural beauty interspersed with charming towns.
1.) Fancourt
Fancourt is a premier business destination. Boasting three Gary Player designed gold courses and the only tailor made performance lab in South Africa. This five star 150 roomed luxury resort is distinction at its best. There is a conference centre, spa and a variety of restaurants offering excellent dining experiences.
Location: Montagu Street, Blanco, George
Facilities: The Fancourt Conference Centre is equipped with state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment and video conferencing. It has a variety of rooms including a banquet hall (350 max) and six meeting rooms (including three boardrooms). The large multi-purpose Banquet Hall is located on the ground floor, with six meeting rooms located on the upper level, two of which can be combined to accommodate larger groups. The banquet hall features an inside capacity of 400 cinema seating, 350 cocktails, 250 for a buffet. Foyer: 200 people. The meeting room features – including the three boardrooms – catering for small groups and up to 80 people, data projector and projector screen, DVD player and built-in PA system. Select rooms have a Saeco coffee server. Select rooms have telephone and fax service. Aside from the Plover Boardroom, all meeting rooms can be modified according to client’s specifications. The Upstairs balcony can host up to 150 guests for cocktails, small lunch buffets or act as a breakaway area.
Perfect for: Meetings, conferences, launches, presentations, weddings, cocktails, banquets, gala dinners, music concerts, award functions.
Contact details: +27 44 804 0000, fancourt.co.za
2.) Pezula
Located on the eastern head of Knysna, 83 magnificent suites are linked by pathways. This sanctuary of privacy offers super cuisine, magnificent accommodation, a world class spa and gym, executive conferencing and a championship golf course. It is a member of Leading Small Hotels of the World and was recently named one of the Top 100 Ultimate Escapes in the World.
Location: Lagoonview Drive, Eastern Head, Knysna
Facilities: The hotel has two executive multi functional; fully air conditioned conference boardrooms fitted with state-of-the-art IT facilities and audio visual equipment and can be set up for any type of meeting or small conference, including boardroom, theatre, U-shape or school room formats. The lagoon facing room seats 18 as a boardroom and 45 as a theatre. The sea facing boardroom seats 36 as a classroom and 18 as a U shape. The Pezula Clubhouse is ideally situated on the magnificent Championship Golf Course, adjacent to the Pezula Resort Hotel and Spa, a vast terrace and fully-equipped bar complete the facilities. The Clubhouse can comfortably seat up to 130 delegates and has secure parking for 120 cars. There is a 24 hour business centre.
Perfect for: Meetings, conferences, product launches, weddings, corporate functions, black tie events
Contact details: +27 44 302 3333, pezula.co.za
3.) Protea Hotel King George
The Protea Hotel King George is centrally located with the Outeniqua Mountains as a back-drop. This 4-star hotel, with its country-style setting is the ideal location for conferences and business travellers.
This secure, up market hotel is merely a ten minute leisurely drive from the George Airport .The spacious and stylishly designed rooms and luxury suites is equipped with all amenities for your comfort and the Fairway Terrace Restaurant with its elegant dining atmosphere and superb blend of classical and contemporary cuisine is a gastronomic experience .
Location: King George Drive, King George Park, George, Western Cape
Facilities: The Protea Hotel King George has 3 state-of-the-art conference venues with audio-visual equipment. The Regency Hall, popular for weddings and conferences alike, can seat a maximum of 300 delegates cinema style. The Charlotte Room is for conferences and is ideal for evening functions. The George Room is the smallest of the three venues and can seat a maximum of 50 delegates cinema style. Themed tea-breaks can be enjoyed around the swimming pool and teambuilding sessions can be arranged to suit your specific requirements.
Perfect for: Meetings, conferences, teambuilding, weddings
Contact details: +27 44 8747659, phkinggeorge.co.za
4.) Pinnacle Point Beach/Golf resort
The Pinnacle Point Beach and Golf Resort is situated at the gateway to the Garden Route. Pinnacle Point is designed around and incorporates three separate residential components – 120 golf lodges, 114 golf villas and 406 freeholds. Oyster Bay is an exclusive beachfront enclave within the Pinnacle Point Beach and Golf Resort, just off the course itself.
Location: 1 Pinnacle road Heiderand Mossel Bay
Facilities: The conferencing venue offers a state-of-the-art facility with can cater for up to 250 delegates in cinema-style seating , 100 as a U shape, 130 as a school room and 180 if you are hosting a banquet.
Perfect for: Meetings, conferences, product launches, seminars, business functions.
Contact details: +27 44 693 3438, pinnaclepoint.co.za
5.) ATKV Hartenbos
The resort offers a wide range of accommodation, which varies from rondavels, luxury two- and three-bedroom units and flats ideal for groups to camping and caravan facilities, most of which have a lovely sea view. There are a wealth of activities and recreational facilities, including a heated indoor swimming pool, a well-equipped shop and one of the most modern Spur restaurants in the country.
Location: Hartenbos Resort Kaap de Goede Hoop
Facilities: ATKV Hartenbos is 8 km from Mossel Bay and 45 km from George airport, almost halfway between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth. This makes ATKV Hartenbos ideally situated for conferences, meetings and team-building sessions. The five modern conference venues make provision for smaller groups as well as large groups of up to 1 000 delegates. Facilities cater for smaller groups and groups of up to 1000 delegates. The Walvissaal can be used as a lecture room and seats 650 or as a theatre seating 1800. The Dolfynsaal can be used as a lecture room accommodating 80 or as a theatre seating 120. Tarentaal saal seats 30 as a U-shape or boardroom. The auditorium/theatre accommodates 90 people with four adjacent breakaway rooms.
Perfect for: Conferences, meetings, team building sessions
Contact details: +27 44 601 7200/19/20, hartenbos.co.za
6.) Simola Hotel and Estate
The Simola Hotel features 2 bedroom suites with full kitchens and living areas. Alternately, the rooms can be booked individually to make en-suite twin rooms and 1-bedroom Studio suites which include the kitchen and living areas. All rooms have Wireless internet connectivity, TV and luxury finishes. This Garden Route 18 hole golf estate also has high-tech conference facilities for up to 120 people, a stunning spa and a full banqueting service with a number of options including dinner/dance.
Location: Knysna Garden Route Western Cape
Facilities: The Forest View room with natural light accommodates 180 guests; it’s a perfect venue for conferencing or events, while the boardroom offers state of the art facilities and audio-visual equipment in a modern, private setting.
Perfect for: Conferences, meetings, events
Contact details: +27 44 302 9600, simolaestate.co.za
7.) Tramonto
Located between George airport and fancourt. Shielding the magnificent Outeniqua Mountains, in cape Dutch splendor. This is a wedding, conference and function venue and guesthouse. The guesthouse, guesthouse offers an entertainment area, where the weary business traveller can watch a big screen TV for relaxation, or wonder around the horse stables. All 13 rooms are equipped with the usual amenities.
Location: 233 moerasrivier geelhoutboom road George
Facilities: The Venue can seat 350 people around tables, 500 cinema style and has 5 fireplaces. The Cellar seats 150 around tables and 230 cinema style, this venue is usually used as a theatre and has a stage, there are 2 fire places. The Guesthouse Entertainment area accommodates 10 guests as a lounge type area and is suitable for 15 people in a Boardroom Style formation. The chapel accommodates 250 people,
Perfect for: Conferences, meetings, weddings, special events, cocktails, seminars, workshops, launches
Contact details: +27 44 870 7150
8.) The Heralds Bay Hotel
The Herolds Bay Hotel comprises Studio Suites and1 and 2 bedroom luxury self-catering apartments. All rooms have private balconies overlooking the Herolds Bay valley and are en-suite with shower and bath. A spacious and comfortable environment has been created where guests can rest and wind down in a space designed to offer complete comfort. The rooms are superbly and individually decorated and are equipped with all luxurious amenities.
Location: Cnr. Spekie and Gericke Crescent Herolds Bay Western Cape, George,
Facilities: The Meeting Room for meetings and break-aways accommodates 6. The Bay Restaurant and Deck is a modern setting that spills out onto the outside deck. A 3 x 52”Plasma screen is available for presentations, and the venue has a capacity of 60. The Bay Restaurant is a venue room ideal for full day functions and accommodates 60 people with a large expansive glass creating a light-filled venue. A 1 x 52” Plasma screen is available for presentation. The Sundeck is a large sundeck for cocktail parties/ outdoor functions and accommodates between 80-100 persons.
Perfect for: Meetings, conferences, banquets, events, presentations
Contact details: +27 44 872 9011, heroldsbayhotel.com
9.) Bella Manga
Bellamanga is a four star accredited, owner-managed Country House. With the Country House offering luxury living, and the self-catering Forest Lodges with their own dedicated access road privately positioned some distance away the ideal alternative for absolute home-from-home seclusion, Bellamanga provides a perfect and multi-faceted getaway destination. While relishing the wide open spaces and peaceful serenity at Bellamanga, lazing around the generous saltwater pool, or unwinding in the outdoor Jacuzzi you forget the world out there.
Location: 11km outside of Plettenberg Bay, just off the R340 in Uplands, Plettenberg Bay
Facilities: The spacious ‘Old Dairy’ Function room is fully equipped with audiovisuals and presents an ideal conferencing venue to even the most exacting business guests. And at the end of a long and tiring day the ingenious Fire Pit alongside the ‘Old Dairy’ offers an unparalleled setting to enjoy aperitifs, followed by a mouth-watering, traditional braai personally prepared and served by your hosts. The Nguni Room makes for a venue for up to 200 people with accommodation for up to 40.The Nguni Room is a large, light and spacious room with a fully licensed bar, toilets and showers. It has a very large fire place and is based lightly on an African theme. There are removable weather screens should the weather be cold otherwise opening to display room for an outdoor dance floor.
Perfect for: Conferences, meetings, weddings, team building
Contact details: +27 44 535 0053, bellamanga.co.za
10.) Botlierskop Farm
There is a variety of accommodation including luxury tented suites, deluxe tented suites, executive tented suites and family tented suites. The suites are fully equipped with luxurious amenities. There is a pool to cool off after a day of team building, a spa for relaxation and rejuvenation and two restaurants, one at the at tented lodge and the other at the visitors day centre.
Location: Garden Route Mosselbay Little Brak River
Facilities: The Magda Neethling conference room accommodates 24 as a boardroom, 40 as a cinema, 30 as a school room, 40 for a banquet and 40 for cocktails.
Perfect for: Perfect for up market corporate meetings; small executive groups; team building.
Contact details: +27 44 6966055, botlierskop.co.za