South Africa's leading hospitality & conservation group, other properties in the Mantis stable include much-awarded Shamwari Game Reserve, Sanbona Wildlife Reserve near Montagu, Jock Safari Lodge in the Kruger National Park, Port Elizabeth's Shamwari Town House and Nkomazi Lodge near Barberton while international properties include London's Draycott Hotel and Cap Estel Hotel on the French Riviera.
For two decades Grande Roche has been distinguished for not only its sublime setting but also its authentic, luxurious lodging, peerless hospitality and award-winning cuisine at Bosman's Restaurant, long a destination for Cape gourmands and mentioned as one of the Top 100 restaurants in the world.
“As with all great hostelries, the revamp at Grande Roche has carefully updated the hotel without losing the charm, authenticity and sense of history which has long enchanted guests,” says Mantis Group's Shadleigh Roscoe.
Indeed, the winter recess has allowed for an immaculate restoration of some of the luxury suites and executive rooms - blending a modernist décor within an existing heritage while adding contemporary extras such as extra large showers, wi-fi and plasma screens.
With its Chaine Des Rotisseurs accolade, Bosman's at Grande Roche is not only an award-winning restaurant but one of the Cape's most dramatic settings for fine cuisine.
From within the dining room of the old Manor House, the restaurant peers out over the four tall palms on the front lawn to the mountains beyond while, inside, the décor reflects an enchanting period ambiance matched by dramatic cuisine.
Under the hand of executive chef Roland Gorgosilich and deputy Etienne Bruwer, guests are assured of classic cuisine infused with modern imagination and innovation.
All Michelin starred restaurants, amongst others, Roland's CV reveals the likes of the Restaurant Sonnenhof in Gstaad, Switzerland, while Etienne has worked as sous chef at the acclaimed Restaurant Pierre Gagnaire in Paris.
Grande Roche is also famous for its beautiful gardens which cocoon the hotel within a sense of serene tranquility, even though the town of Paarl lingers below.
Filled with palms, roses, ferns and fynbos, paths & foot-bridges wind their way through the plantings to reveal serendipitous spaces such as the palm-lined pools and the beautiful old chapel which has been carefully restored to its 18th Century legacy - for quiet meditation or celebratory occasions such as weddings.
Grande Roche has long been a much sought-after wedding destination with not only the chapel but rolling lawns in front of the Manor House playing host to family pictures while Bosman's is the most elegant space for private receptions.
Along with its salon treatment room, conference facilities, two outdoor swimming pools, boutique art gallery and vineyards within which to ramble, Grande Roche remains the complete winelands escape whilst nearby wine estates, winelands villages and outdoor pursuits beckon.
And if those ancient walls could talk, they would reveal that times may change but the values of authenticity and style remain.
Such is Grande Roche Hotel. www.mantiscollection.com
