Luxury urban retreat is the definitive holiday hideout

Adrian Gardiner has created a stylish city stay to complement Shamwari, writes Brett Adkins

BY SIMPLY driving past, you could be forgiven for thinking that it doesn‘t house that much more than its neighbouring upmarket properties. It has an elegant exterior which definitely suggests fine living, but nothing quite prepares a visitor for what you discover inside.

Shamwari boss Adrian Gardiner certainly had a vision for what he wanted to see in Port Elizabeth, an establishment offering super-superior accommodation, catering and service, to match that which so many visitors from the four corners of the planet have enjoyed at his world-famous, awarding winning Eastern Cape game reserve for some years now.

That vision has been realised with the recent opening of the Shamwari Townhouse in Summerstrand which manages to deftly combine intimacy and homeliness with an opulent and utterly stylish design that makes it a quite exquisite experience virtually impossible to fault.

This familiar, unpretentious air is due in no small part to the staff who – without exception – are hospitality personified, be they involved in the establishment‘s housekeeping, catering, health spa or management operations.

Quality training is clearly in evidence here – immediately and simultaneously attentive and discreet. It‘s a delicate balance that often escapes the most well-meaning of hospitality outfits. But not here.

Meticulous attention to detail is always a cornerstone of any retreat which boasts a lavish holiday or business stay, and in this respect all the homework has been done.

“Welcome!” says general manager Ryan Plakonouris. “Let us know immediately if there‘s anything you need.”

Well, it becomes apparent within moments that this is highly unlikely – every possible need has been anticipated.

My ultra-spacious, airy suite with its lounge area, swivel flat-screen TV, interior-lit closets, vanishing luggage storage space, fully-stocked refreshment station and a double bathroom packed with the fluffiest of white towels and a range of pamper goodies, was the ultimate comfort zone.

Stress levels and muscle aches melt away as you step into a shower that resembles and feels more like a steaming hot cloudburst thanks to the size of the showerhead.

But it‘s not just your suite where you will feel completely at home. Apart from a pool deck and impeccably furnished champagne lounge (with resident pianist) as well as a cigar lounge, there are other features which raise the bar.

The townhouse boasts a private 16-seat cinema which is an exact replica of Prince Charles‘s very own movie parlour in Clarence House – and as such has Royal Family images on its walls for decoration in acknowledgement for permission to recreate the design.

A dining cellar with an extensive wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling wine collection behind a glass divider is a plush affair bound to prove popular for any manner of function with its rich, smoothly blended furnishings and artwork.

Original, Eastern Cape-sourced artwork in the form of ornaments and paintings is in fact a hallmark of the establishment and impressive – like the ornamental envelopes in 11 different boxes in the executive boardroom representing all the country‘s official languages.

A rock spa and gym right in the heart of the townhouse – literally a few steps from your suite – are state of the art with ample massage and other facilities to ensure round-the-clock availability.

As with its accommodation, the dining experience here is as sumptuous as it is delicious.

From a diverse menu with a mix of traditional and more exotic and adventurous fare, I selected Springbok carpaccio as a starter which was served with crushed peppercorns and mustard seeds, poached pear, parmesan shavings and rocket and which proved a subtle and intriguing mix of flavours and textures. My main course of gurnard fillet was ultra fresh, light and succulent and complemented perfectly by leek and bacon mashed potato and a red wine reduction.

Heeding my waitress‘s enthusiastic endorsement of the chef‘s own creation of orange and lemon tart, the dessert – served with a refreshing avocado ice-cream – more than lived up to its colourful presentation with its tastebud-pleasing and zesty citrus tang.

With its ideal suburban setting that offers soothing quiet while being only a hop and a skip from the beach, Port Elizabeth can boast an accommodation feature that is utterly world class – and which is subtle as it is sensational.

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