Fancourt Hotel And Country Club Estate

Fancourt Hotel And Country Club Estate

Description

History

Today Fancourt is a world renowned business and leisure destination. Starting out as a family home many years ago, the Manor House is now a National Monument, which has 34 bedrooms, two restaurants and various business lounges.

In the early days of South Africa's expansion, when ox-wagons negotiated their way through impassable mountain ranges,  Henry Fancourt White established a workers' base at the foot of the Outeniqua Mountains for the construction of the Montagu Pass.

The building of Blanco House in the style of a Cotswold Mansion proceeded slowly from 1859. Henry, a wealthy man at the time, suffered a major financial setback in 1860 and died soon after. Blanco House was put up for auction in 1857: "a thatched-roof double-storey building with ten airy rooms, kitchen, pantry, outbuildings and servants' rooms".

The property was subsequently owned by Henri de Maraliac, Robert Drummond and M J Adams, the latter re-naming it Homewood in 1879. At a public auction in 1903 Homewood was sold to Ernest Montagu White who re-named the house Fancourt in memory of his father - Henry Fancourt White.

Ernest, or Montagu as he was known, spent the English winters at Fancourt. He made extensive improvements to the house using indigenous timber from forests in the area. Always immaculately dressed - a Panama hat and a flower in his buttonhole being his trademark - Montagu supervised his estate from a white-canopied cart drawn by a red ox whilst he painted watercolours, knotted rugs and lived the life of a country gentleman.

Sadly, in 1916 Montagu, his sister and a friend succumbed to mushroom poisoning after enjoying a dinner of wild mushrooms picked by Montagu earlier in the day. The house stood empty for two years after the tragedy.  It was said, however, that the deceased Montagu and Elizabeth continued to visit their much-loved home!

Rumours of ghosts did not deter Rubin Greer from purchasing Fancourt in 1918. He and his family, which included four daughters, brought music and laughter back to Fancourt. Legend has it that performance of the band members at their dances depended on the liquid refreshment they consumed. Too little and they refused to play, too much and they were unable to play!

A number of owners followed, and a century after Henry Fancourt White built his home it fell into disrepair due to neglect. Dr Krynauw bought Fancourt in 1960 and through his skill and excellent taste, the property became a symbol of high-class living once again.

In 1969 Fancourt was sold to a property developer who went into liquidation soon after. Andre and Helene Pieterse became the new owners and in 1987 they decided to transform their country house into an hotel and golf estate and on 23 March 1989, the  Fancourt Hotel opened in grand style.

By July 1993, however, Fancourt was on the market once again.  In 1994 a German couple, Hasso and Sabine Plattner, bought the estate out of liquidation. Expansion and development proceeded at an unprecedented pace, and when the present becomes history it will be said that Fancourt never stopped growing.

The heart of Fancourt is now the modern clubhouse, but the old Manor House will always hold its soul. When you visit the estate spend time in the stillness of the reading room, appreciate the gardens and walk along the quiet passages. Imagine life as it was then, with Panama hats and buttonholes, grand pianos, campher-wood kists, antique silver and wild mushroom dinners.

Uniquely located Fancourt Hotel and Country Club Estate,an elegant golf and leisure resort,is set at the foot of the Outenique Mountains,in the heart of the Garden Route,on 516 hectares od beautiful South African Countryside.

With its four Gary Player-designed golf courses and the only TaylorMade Performance Lab in Africa, Fancourt is a premier business and leisure destination. This five-star resort has 150 luxury rooms, Conference Centre, Spa, and six themed restaurants.

At Fancourt, every child is a guest in his own right and gets a very special welcome. Children's activities are planned to accommodate all ages and interests. From supplying cots, play stations and DVD's, to a number of activities such as pastry making or treasure hunts through the hotel, plus a range of services including birthday parties, special menus, babysitting or a day out, nothing is left to chance.

Fancourt is a member of The Leading Hotels of the World fraternity.  This accolade was bestowed on the resort in recognition of its high service level and commitment to excellence. 

Only the world's most distinguished properties are admitted to The Leading Hotels of the World, thereby assuring a constant adherence to the organisation's exacting standards of high quality.  To be considered for inclusion, a hotel must be in the deluxe/luxury category and meet the most exacting standards within the hospitality industry.

Membership is dependent on a rigorous inspection and an executive committee voting process.

Contact Details Fancourt Hotel And Country Club Estate +27 (0)44 804 0010 044 804 0700 Enquire now View Rates View Directions

Attractions

For the non-golfer, outdoor pursuits include fishing, cycling, tennis courts, outdoor and indoor swimming pools and running/walking trails. Mountain biking, picnics, horse riding and walks can be arranged on request.  Open sea bathing and glorious beaches are within close distance.

Fancourt has an on-site concierge to plan the perfect Day Trip for you.

The Estate lies in the heart of hop country, which the Hop Route is aptly named after. Many activities on the route are within a 40-kilometre radius of the estate.

Outside the hotel, at the entrance to the Links and Bramble Hill golf courses are rows of trellised hops surrounding SA Brewery’s Rob Roy hop processing plant. The short hop-growing season is from November to March, when the hops are cut down and sent to Rob Roy, where the flowers are separated from the leaves and stalks and freeze-dried and compressed into pellets, which are then used in the beer making process.

Most hop farms are found in Waboomskraal or Herold, small farming villages at the top of the Outeniqua Mountains, off the N12 and N9 en-route to Oudtshoorn or Uniondale. Tours of the hop farms can be arranged in season.

Nestled amongst the hop farms in Herold, just beyond the historic Montagu Pass is the only wine farm found in the Outeniqua ward. Here you will find the vineyard and cellars of Herold Wines, nestled against Cradock Peak, where the cool mountain mists are ideal for making Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc and Shiraz wines.

Tours of the cellar, wine tasting, or an enjoyable cup of tea or coffee and snacks are followed by walks, or if you are lucky, a ride on a tractor to the vineyard.

Closer to Fancourt, and a sure hit for the young and old, is Redberry Strawberry farm, a short distance from the Geelhoutboom turnoff.

This commercial strawberry farm attracts visitors from all over the Southern Cape, who flock there for luscious strawberry cream teas and lunches. Half of the fun at Redberry farm is the rows and rows of strawberry plants, with large red and white berries that can be picked in abundance for at least 10 months of the year.

Redberry Farm also sources locally grown organic vegetables, which can be found alongside punnets of strawberries, cream, cheeses and a variety of bottled pickles and chutneys in their ever-increasing farm stall.

A short ride away is the Silver Lily Dutch cheese farm, where the cheese making process is explained before tasting the many variations of delicious cheeses made there.

At the neighbouring protea farm, Lumier, a fun, creative centre and children’s animal touch farm can be found. With its adjoining tea garden and pub, parents can relax while their children enjoy making crafts or play with their friends at tailor-made birthday parties with a difference.

Cruisa equestrian centre is the perfect venue for horse lovers, young and old, where trails into the neighbouring countryside, horse riding lessons and even children’s parties can be arranged.

For the more adventurous and Dads wanting to let off steam, a trip to Klynefontyn Farm in Geelhoutboom is a must.  Quad biking trails are available for groups of five or more, which take you through the foothills of the Outeniqua mountains, which, on a clear day will give you breathtaking views as far as Mossel Bay.

After an enjoyable morning of activities, you should visit Valcor dairy farm during afternoon milking time. Come and see 900 cows being milked in the carousel dairy, which is disabled and child friendly.

Educational and informative talks are also held and visitors are taken to the fields to see what types of grasses and herbaceous foods are grown for healthy cows and successful yields, before visiting the calves before going to the dairy.

The huge farm is also home to a large variety of birds and the van Greunen brothers or their staff will be delighted to organise special tours for bird lovers.

After the farm, there is only one thing to do, make your way down to Herold’s Bay and enjoy the late afternoon sunshine, a paddle in the sea and an ice-cream cone, before heading back to Fancourt for a blissful night’s rest!

Accolades

	:Tourism Council of SA Star Grading
	:Portfolio benchmarked:

TGCSA Star Grading

Facilities

A VIP lounge at the George Airport, room service, satellite TV, valet, and state of the art conference and corporate entertaining facilities are of the highest international standard. The fully equipped and professionally staffed Fancourt Spa, which incorporates a sauna, steamroom, tepidarium and gymnasium with personal trainer, includes a heated indoor roman bath and jacuzzi, a hair salon and Cherot, Fancourt's exclusive ladies fashion boutique.

Other facilities include three golf shops, Golf Academy, a deli, mini cinema and jewellery shop. A real estate office and showroom featuring premium Fancourt residential homes and 24-hour security is also available.

At Fancourt, every child is a guest in his own right and gets a very special welcome. Children's activities are planned to accommodate all ages and interests. From supplying cots, play stations and DVD's, to a number of activities such as pastry making or treasure hunts through the hotel, plus a range of services including birthday parties, special menus, babysitting or a day out, nothing is left to chance.

Services offered at the Fancourt Hotel

A VIP lounge at the George Airport, room service, satellite TV, valet, and state of the art conference and corporate entertaining facilities are of the highest international standard. The fully equipped and professionally staffed Spa, which incorporates a sauna, steamroom, tepidarium and gymnasium with personal trainer, includes a heated indoor roman bath and jacuzzi, a hair salon and Cherot, Fancourt's own exclusive ladies fashion boutique.
Other facilities at the Fancourt Hotel include three golf shops, Golf Academy, a deli, mini cinema, billiard room and jewellery shop.

At the exclusive Fancourt Hotel & Golf Estate, every child is a guest in his own right and therefore deserves a very special welcome. Children's activities are planned to accommodate all ages and interests. From supplying cots, play stations and DVD's, to a number of activities such as pastry making or treasure hunts through the hotel, plus a range of services including birthday parties, special menus, babysitting or a day out, nothing is left to chance. Each family member will have fond memories of their stay for years to come! 

Conference Facilities at Fancourt

The Conference Centre at the Fancourt Hotel is equipped with state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment and video conferencing. It has a variety of rooms including a banquet /conference hall (350 max), three breakaway rooms and three boardrooms. A fully equipped business centre is
also available.

Dining Facilities at the Fancourt Hotel

Six fine restaurants offer a variety of dining experiences and bear testimony to Fancourt's reputation as purveyors of fine cuisine. These are open to resort guests and the public.

Grill Room:
Situated in the Clubhouse, next to Le Pêcheur serves steaks, grilled chicken and a fresh salad.

La Cantina:
Antipasto, pasta, pizza and fish of the day is served in a warm Mediterranean atmosphere.

Le Pêcheur:
Situated in the Clubhouse, Le Pêcheur specialises in fresh sushi and seafood. 

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