New Luxury Resort to Open in Knysna - South Africa

 The Pezula Resort Hotel, a member of Great Hotels of the World, located on the eastern head of Knysna, a town in the Western Cape of South Africa is to open 1 February 2005.

The luxury property is home to a championship golf course, world-class spa and fitness centre, indoor and outdoor pools, tennis courts and an equestrian centre.

The resort comprises 76 beautifully appointed suites, designed by African interior designer, Keith Mehner. Throughout the hotel, natural materials such as rough stone and natural woods sit alongside earthy colours, aquas, greens, warm reds and gold to reflect the surrounding landscape. Much of the hotel’s furniture has been made by local craftsmen.

The hotel’s restaurant, Zachary’s, will be headed up by executive chef Geoffrey Murray. Murray’s previous experience includes opening the restaurant Boom in Soho, New York and as executive chef at the exclusive island resort, North Island. The menu will offer a variety of ‘modern ethnic’ dishes, using the best local organic products and inspired by Murray’s worldwide experiences.

The resort’s spa caters for a variety of guests’ needs, whether they are medicinal treatments for ailments such as skin sun damage, acne, scar tissue, hair removal or wrinkles, as well as offering an extensive spa menu of treatments designed purely to aid relaxation. Other facilities include a 25-metre heated pool, sauna, steam room, outdoor Jacuzzi and post-treatment room with heated massage water beds.

Pezula is set amongst dramatic scenery, with rugged cliffs, emerald forests and rolling hills protecting a vast array of wildlife, such as Zebra, bushbuck and the odd leopard.

The resort is equipped with its own helicopter and private eight-seater jet to transport guests to nearby attractions, golf courses and destinations further a-field in South Africa.