Looking for something a bit different to the larger, inner city business hotels for your South African incentive? Concepts Collection shares five alternative and truly experiential options for group stays…

Letamo Lodge, Qwabi Game reserve

An African Safari is a bucket list adventure for many and hugely popular for company incentives and reward programmes.  However, safari lodge sizes and accessibility can often be barriers for some larger groups, but the recently opened Letamo Lodge promises to change all that.

Set in the peaceful and secluded Qwabi private game reserve of the beautiful Waterberg Mountain region, just three hours north of Johannesburg, Letamo has 58 rooms set out across spacious bush gardens. With large dining facilities, pool deck and boma area it is an excellent and flexible property for incentive groups to enjoy and unwind. A second exclusive Babohi lodge 10 minutes away can also add more accommodation for larger groups.

The reserve itself is set in one of only two UNESCO-declared savannah biospheres in Africa and presents a unique, immersive safari experience for groups surrounded by a vibrant, ancient landscape coloured with a water-rich ecosystem and amazing scenery. The wildlife includes the Big 5 and being in a malaria free area is also big advantage for international groups.

Winchester Boutique Hotel, Cape Town

An icon of the Cape Town hotels scene, the Winchester (main image) has bounced back to life in the last few years thanks to a much-needed contemporary facelift and appointment of the progressive Newmark hotels management group.

Situated along the scenic and bustling Sea Point Promenade facing the Atlantic Ocean and 10 minutes from downtown, this 76-room property is rich in heritage and its iconic Cape Dutch architecture tells a story of luxury and sophistication of a romantic bygone era. Rooms have been tastefully renovated and include a number of categories making it an attractive option.

Famous for its bougainvillea strewn open inner courtyard, the Winchester restaurant and vibrant Harvey’s bar are always popular with locals and a real Cape Town buzz is assured.

Centrally located a few minutes from the city and waterfront districts and with the majestic backdrop of Table Mountain to the rear and the Ocean out front, the Winchester is an excellent choice once again for small to mid-sized groups

La Cotte Farm, Franschhoek, Cape Winelands

No group trip to Cape Town is complete without time spent in the winelands and with Cape Town just 50 minutes away, many smaller groups are now choosing to stay in the winelands for their incentives. It’s an area of unparalleled scenery, beauty and an exclusive tourism destination with wide open spaces an outdoor life style and so many things to see and do.

La Cotte is an excellent location for smaller groups, just a few minutes’ walk from the famous bustling winelands village of Franschhoek with its restaurants and shops, it retains a quiet, rural charm of a working wine farm. Dating back to 1698, the spacious property is full of history but tasteful renovations have seen the farm develop as a lifestyle destination over the last decade.

Luxurious cottage-style accommodation plus a ten-bed hotel make the property sought after by groups of around 30 and the signature restaurant, stylish bar and restored barn for group meetings and events just add to the appeal.

Activities abound locally, with hiking and biking trails, horse riding, paragliding, abseiling and quad biking just a few of the outdoor adventures on offer. For the less energetic, the Franschhoek wine tram shuttles passengers from wine farm to wine farm and all the excellent restaurants of the Franchhoek valley.

Taking La Cotte on an exclusive basis gives any group their own exclusive rural estate for a few days in the heart of wine country.

The Marine Hotel, Hermanus, Western Cape

As the whale watching capital of South Africa, the seaside town of Hermanus, 2 hours from Cape Town, has become a sought-after destination for groups and great to combine a couple of days in nature with a few days in Cape Town. The Marine hotel is one of South Africa’s most spectacular seaside hotels, situated right on the cliff tops overlooking Walker bay, it holds pride of place for spotting the southern right whales

The Marine has 40 rooms, a spacious restaurant and with brand-new conference facilities is perfect for group buyouts. Guests can whale watch from sea facing bedrooms or walk a few metres onto the coastal cliff top path and literally see the southern right whales in the bay below.

As well as exploring the bustling town of Hermanus, ocean-based activities are numerous with shark cage diving for the brave-hearted close by and penguin colonies, seals, dolphins and other marine life in view from deserted beaches or kayaking and boat trips.

The beautiful winding Hemel Aarde Valley wine route is just 15 minutes away and is a must visit to sample some of the world-renowned chardonnay and pinot noirs of the coastal vineyards. A lazy lunch at one of the many excellent wine estate restaurants, whilst taking in the views down the valley and across the ocean in the distance is just perfect for group relaxation.

Hazendal, Stellenbosch, Cape Winelands

Just 30 minutes from central Cape Town, on the edge of the historic town of Stellenbosch in the beautiful Cape winelands, the brand new 35-room hotel and homestead at Hazendal now creates an exciting opportunity for MICE groups.

Significant investment in this historic wine estate itself over the last few years has created a popular destination for both state-of-the-art conferencing and leisure tourism, with a golf course, cinema, vintage car museum, deli, restaurants and wine tasting facilities among the attractions.

The addition of the stylish, contemporary hotel with new restaurant, pool and function spaces now takes the Hazendal offering to a new level and it creates an outstanding space for smaller groups to explore the very best of both Cape Town and the stunning winelands region.