16 Jul MICE in South Africa: What’s new?
We’ve compiled a list of hot, new hotels, restaurants, activities and venues in South Africa that are perfect for upcoming MICE activity with our partner Giltedge DMC.
South Africa is perfect for corporate and incentive travellers as it offers culinary delights, state-of-the-art venues, rooftop bars and group activities as well as luxurious accommodation.
HOTELS
Indaba Hotel, Johannesburg
We’re so excited about this refurb! The Indaba Hotel & Conference Centre in Fourways underwent a R100 million renovation and has now revealed its new look. The reception, patio, bar and 300-seater restaurant (perfect for groups!) were upgraded for a more modern feel. A new gin school was added where groups can make their own gin – featured in our activities below! The 1952-hotel is now looking sleeker than ever!
The Capital, Johannesburg
The Capital, in Johannesburg’s trendy Melrose Arch suburb, opened its doors on 1 May 2019. With 109 rooms, the hotel has a range of standard rooms, superior studios and one- or two-bedroom apartments. Perfect for the MICE industry, the hotel has a fully-equipped conference center that can accommodate a maximum of 200 guests cinema-style. The Capital also has a restaurant, bar, outdoor swimming pool and gym on site.
Centrally located in Johannesburg, the hotel is situated across the road from the Melrose Arch Shopping Centre.
The Houghton Hotel, Johannesburg
The R880-million Houghton Hotel opened its doors in Johannesburg in May this year. The 5-star hotel is situated in one of Johannesburg’s most upmarket suburbs of Houghton, offering 7 luxury penthouses, 4 presidential suites, 2 junior suites, 8 executive king rooms and 46 king rooms. All rooms have Apple and cable TV, breakfast, Wi-Fi and 24-hour in-room dining.
CONFERENCE SPACES
Cartel Rooftop Bar, Cape Town
There’s always something new opening in Cape Town – but the Cartel Rooftop Bar is something truly spectacular! It’s a New-York-style rooftop bar that can accommodate up to 220 people with a modern bar and kitchen. A perfect location for upmarket events. Partly covered, a tent can be rented should it worry you about the weather. It’s the largest rooftop space in Cape Town with 80 parking bays across the Fan Walk bridge and free of charge after hours and on weekends. Located in Cape Town’s bustling city centre, on the trendy Loop Street, it’s a real gem.
Secret Garden Beverly Hills Hotel, Durban
A landmark hotel in Durban, The Beverly Hills, launched an events venue called ‘The Secret Garden’ in April 2019. The venue can cater for cocktail functions for up to 150 people; and set lunches or dinners for up to 100 people.
When entering the garden, guests walk under trees into a garden with dramatic sea views, the perfect backdrop to any event no matter what the occasion. This space also offers an alfresco dining option if you prefer eating under the stars. The possibilities of use are endless and with the professional team of Beverly Hills catering, it’s all about memorable and magical events.
DINING
Jewell’s Spice Route, Paarl
The newly opened farm-to-table eatery is located at the Spice Route in Paarl in the Cape Winelands. The restaurant is owned and run by three talented chefs Liam Tomlin (famously known from Chefs Warehouse), charcuterie genius Neil Jewell, and baker extraordinaire Tina Jewell. Jewell’s open-kitchen restaurant has a regularly updated seasonal menu. They offer only the best-quality ingredients in a stunning location in the Cape Winelands!
Blockhouse Kitchen Constantia Uitsig
This modern, airy and beautiful 250-seater restaurant sits in Constantia, the oldest wine-producing region in South Africa.
The restaurant believes in simple and classic cooking, using only fresh produce from sustainable and local South African farmers. They focus on wholesome food and use the philosophy of ‘nose to tail’ and ‘root to leaf’ that has a positive impact on the environment. Blockhouse Kitchen offers an all-day dining experience with 4 eating areas, 3 menus and 30+ wines on offer.
Urban Moyo Sandton, Johannesburg
Urban Moyo offers a fresh take on the age-old tradition of cooking with fire. The menu is carefully curated and features a wide selection of meat dishes, seafood, salads and dishes to share. Each dish is a contemporary taste experience with some of South Africa’s finest wines and signature cocktails. The contemporary restaurant is located at 24 Central in the heart of the Sandton’s CBD.
Utopia de Waterkant
Utopia, formerly known as The View, has been refurbished into a rooftop dining room. The restaurant has 360-degree views of Cape Town’s city, harbour, ocean and stadium – it’s a dining experience with breath-taking views. The well-balanced menu includes fine dining cuisine, boutique farm wines, West Coast oysters and locally sourced MCC’s. The restaurant offers one of Cape Town’s finest dining experiences and can be booked exclusively for groups.
ACTIVITIES
Holocaust & Genocide Centre, Johannesburg
In March 2019, the Johannesburg Holocaust & Genocide Centre officially opened its state-of-the-art facility. Two of the permanent exhibitions are devoted to the Jewish Holocaust in World War II and the Rwandan genocide in 1994. The 4,500-square-foot exhibition includes photographs, testimonies, art, multimedia installations and artifacts – many donated by Jewish and Tutsi survivors living in Johannesburg.
The Inverrochegin School, Indaba Hotel
For a fun new group activity – create your own bottle of gin! The Inverroche Gin School at Indaba Hotel is where you can now craft your own unique bottle of gin, sample gins from leading artisanal producers in South Africa and learn about local fynbos plants, which are used to flavour gins. On arrival, guests are welcomed with a cocktail, experience a tutored gin tasting, and learn about the gin-making process in the copper pot still.
A gin & food pairing is also offered with bite-sized canapés created by the chef using local South African flavours. For example, smoked rooibos salmon, bobotie mince and spekboom chutney. Each person gets to take their own craft gin home.
FLIGHTS
United Airlines is planning on launching non-stop flights from New York to Cape Town, starting in December 2019. The airline plans to operate flights three times a week.
You can download the full presentation here. If you’d like to organise your next event in South Africa, get in touch with us: info@gda-dmc.com.
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