http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25798 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25798 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25790
The location caters for those seeking tranquillity and offers every comfort including five star facilities and a private cinema for after dinner screenings. Besides the Leopard Room bar, popular for sunset cocktails and an envious collection of vodka and port, a café offering light meals, or the option of afternoon tea, the main draw card is the Azure Restaurant which promotes cape-fusion cuisine utilising indigenous plants known as fynbos, herbs, seasonal ingredients and local seafood. It also offers visitors the opportunity to sample pickled fish, incorporating Cape Malay style cooking, a favourite of the BoKaap. It has won acclaim as one of the best places to stay in the world and is on the Conde Nast Traveller Gold list for 2010.

The view of the ocean, Lion's Head and the craggy Twelve Apostles to the rear in wild surroundings makes this luxurious establishment well worth a visit.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25790 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25789
The recently revamped River Café offers a menu of affordable seasonal produce from Uitsig's own organic garden which is accompanied with specially sourced home-made breads, meats and cheeses. Understated and relaxed this bistro is open for breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea throughout the year bar New Year's day.

La Colombe is the winner of numerous awards for both its service and predominately French cuisine but also offers diners a selection of Asian- inspired dishes. The estate's selection of prestigious wines only heighten the experience of fine dining.

Situated in the original manor house on the estate, The Constantia Uitsig restaurant focuses mainly on rustic Italian favourites for lunch and dinner. The best quality ingredients are used and this heartfelt approach adds to the convivial ambience.

With the option of three restaurants, fine wine, stunning scenery and a slice of Cape history this dining experience fails to disappoint.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25789 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25124 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25124 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25112
The bed was gorgeous – so comfy you didn’t want to leave and you could practically float in the bath it was so deep (not so good for water conservation, but there is a shower).

Breakfast is served in a homely country/modern style kitchen where the girls transfer from reception mode to chef / comedian mode – eggs and beans to order (although they were a little taken by surprise that we wanted our beans hot!)

This hotel truly made our stay in South Africa memorable, comfortable and unique with a personal touch often lacking in many hotels.

Cape Heritage is in my top three hotels to stay in the world – stay anywhere else and you’re missing a treat!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25112 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25023 I was blown away by the beautiful setting. The hotel has large garden with exotic plants in front of the mountain and it's very close to vineyards and the sea. The local people came for a stroll on the beach on Sunday afternoon without any shoes on! It was fantastic to do the same too. Nobody seemed to care.
 
The food was great and the most of them all, biscuits and cakes were wonderful. They looked the same as ours but tasted so different. I had to buy the SA cookery book on baking!
 
I'm dreaming of visiting there again...]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25023 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/24055
Another highlight of this find is the private courtyard and swimming pool - perfect for relaxing after a night out or a morning of sightseeing.

It's central location means that you can easily pop out for a coffee, look round the shops or go out for a few drinks with the reassurance that it's only a five minute walk back to the hostel.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/24055 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21482 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21482 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21447 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21447 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20624 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20624 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18277 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18277 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18211
They provide a number of four and five-star apartments in Cape Town, but because of the favourable pound–rand exchange rate these lets are very affordable. Ours, Jessica, was located next to the Parliament buildings, within earshot of lively Long Street, 15 minutes walk to the V&A waterfront and a 10 minute drive to the golden beaches of Camps Bay.

Our two-bedroom penthouse was furnished to the highest standards, both bedrooms were ensuite and the living area came with a large flat-screen TV and DSTV satellite so we didn’t miss any of the important premiership games.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18211 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18094 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18094 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16644
The accommodation is comfortable and the garden, with its terraces on different levels, relaxing and peaceful. The area is safe and we went for walks and runs along Chapman’s Peak Drive from the door. There are plenty of places to eat nearby, and the Hideaway is an ideal base for exploring the area around Cape Town without having to sit in the city traffic jams. Highly recommended.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16644 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14027
September 2005 we stayed at two, Danger Point near Gansbaai/Hermanus - excellent location with a good restaurant a few minutes away, very handy for shark and whale watching, lighthouse keeper couldn't have been friendlier.

CapeColumbine, Northern Cape, another excellent location with the village of Paternoster nearby with a choice of quality eateries. Lighthouse keeper's a real character.

Accommodation very high quality and we would say good value from a European viewpoint. Danger Point - sleeps 4, from R581 per night not per person.

Danger Point, by the way, was the site of the wreck of HMS Birkenhead which gave us Birkenhead drill, ie women and children first.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14027 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12517 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12517 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12175
The owner really knows what service and friendliness means, laundry service and ADSL internet was free (including calls to landlines in the UK) and we really felt at home away from home, delightful interior for a fantastic price.

They even give you a SA cell number when you book, so you can tell friends which number to get hold of you, while exploring the country.

Only ten pounds per person sharing per night!

Complimentary coffee, tea and use of fully equiped kitchen. Safe private parking too.

The best we found in our SA Holiday. Quality really does not need to cost the world.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12175 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10437
The rooms are huge and well appointed, the service is out of this world and the location is exquisite.
Not cheap but an experience in one of the best hotels I've ever stayed in]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10437 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9915 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9915 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9631
I recommend it because I lived and worked with the San in southern Africa until recently and this is the BEST thing I have seen out there, that really, practically helps the San and teaches tourists about some of the real issues still alive in South Africa today...

What's more it's as cheap as chips if you are coming from Europe!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9631