Following true to Protea Hotel's style of offering guests uniquely different hotels, the recently opened new 4-star Protea Hotel O.R. Tambo International Airport incorporates an industrial aviation theme. With pieces from airport hangars and old airplanes decorating the walls throughout, it will become a much talked about feature of this unique hotel.

The 213 bedroomed hotel is conveniently situated a 10-minute drive from the airport terminal buildings with facilities and services for both corporate and leisure travellers looking for a “home away from home” as a part of their travel needs.

These include a complimenary airport shuttle, conferencing rooms, executive boardrooms, small meeting rooms, parking, a restaurant, pool, a comfortable bar lounge and informal deli as well as a fitness centre.

Destined to become one of the leading hotels on the Garden Route, the Views Boutique Hotel and Spa was recently opened.

Set on the Wilderness dunes overlooking the Indian Ocean this luxurious hotel offers 18 individually designed and styled suites, each with customized, mood control lighting and a pillow library - a very unique feature!

Another special feature of the hotel includes a three-storey rotating “aquarium” containing more than 1000 individually handcrafted glass fish sculptures, as well as life-size recycled crystal glass seagull sculptures. The floor-to-ceiling windows of the hotel take full advantage of the sea and mountain views.

To add to the unique facilities guests can enjoy a fully equipped spa that includes a hydrotherapy zone, a special herbal sauna, floatation pool as well as a fitness centre.

Guests do not have to venture far from the hotel as their needs are met with a fine dining restaurant, an informal bistro and a rooftop cocktail deck, which is the perfect spot for snacks and sundowners. Also available is a private pool deck, a lounge, conference facility, games room and wireless internet connectivity throughout.

There is a mystical place at the foot of the Waterberg Mountains epitomizing all that is Africa. Marataba Safari Company is a spectacular lodge situated in an exclusive private concession in the heart of Limpopo’s malaria-free Marakele National Park, approximately 3 hours drive north of Johannesburg.

As its Tswana name suggests, the park is a ‘place of sanctuary’ for Africa’s Big Five and other animal species and is also home to the world’s largest breeding colony of the endangered Cape Vulture.

Inspired by the discovery of primeval ruins, this lodge embraces the contemporary and the ancient in an exciting union of innovative architecture, design and technology.

The 15 exotic tented suites are an intriguing mix of canvas, timber and stone and have been carefully incorporated into the surrounding bushveld; while a canopy of African trees provide vital shade.

Exquisitely furnished and the epitome of bushveld opulence, their private decks overlook the sweeping plains and meandering river below.

Robin Mcleod, Divisional Manager MICE for Kuoni Destination Management South Africa, recently attended the International Site Conference in Aruba.

The conference was also the launch for the next International SITE Conference that is to be held in Cape Town in 2010. The launch began with a drumming demonstration by Drum Café and continued with an extremely inspiring video on Cape Town.

This was followed by music and songs from a South African singing sensation with the backing of a local Aruban band. Within 5 minutes all the delegates were dancing in the aisles to the sounds of Africa! Between enjoying delicious food prepared by the Cape Town based Gold Restaurant and dancing the day away, all the delegates had a fantastic time and the feedback was unanimously ‘WOW!’

With positive events such as this one, we can expect to see many SITE members in Cape Town next year - not only for the conference, but to see what else Cape Town and South Africa have to offer.

Situated within the Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve in south-eastern Zimbabwe, Singita's Pamushana Lodge's uniquely African feel takes its influences from the local Shangaan culture and is truly one of Africa's best kept secrets.

Blending into its natural environment, the six ultra luxurious suites and one villa (which accommodates a maximum of 10 people) have their own pool and viewing deck with a Swarovski spotting scope, for guests to spot animals from the comfort of an armchair!

The main lodge is the perfect area to spend a relaxing afternoon between exciting game-viewing activities and is designed to incorporate the surrounding nature, using leadwood trunks, thatch and sandstone boulders. It includes teak-deck dining areas, a bar, library, an open-air lounge, a wine cellar, two heated swimming pools and a jacuzzi, all overlooking the Malilangwe dam and sandstone hills.

Living up to its name of "place of miracles", guests can explore this unspoilt wilderness of rare and endangered species, marvel at the ancient San Bushmen rock paintings, enjoy big game fishing or a birding and game viewing sunset cruise, or simply dine under the African stars.

Dolomite Camp, a new exclusive camp in one of the most scenic areas of the Etosha National Park, is set to open in 2010.

Offering an intimate experience amongst the dolomite outcrops of the western section of the park, this exclusive camp will be developed in the most eco-friendly manner out of natural materials that blend into the landscape.

It will consist of a spacious reception, lounge, bar and restaurant area – offering sunrise and sunset views over the surrounding savannah.

A walkway will lead to the private chalets that are hidden between the rocky outcrops, providing privacy with dramatic landscape views. Each chalet will offer a spacious room with an outer deck with plunge pool as well as a secluded outdoor shower.

After five years of renovations and extensions, Phase 1 of Cape Town International Airport's new Terminal 2010 has opened.

The new five storey building combines the check-in process for both international and domestic passengers with 120 check-in counters, 20 self service check-in machines and a consolidated security screening point.

The ground level has shops as well as a transport plaza where passengers can catch a taxi or bus. This will be connected to the City of Cape Town's integrated rapid transit network.

The new terminal also boasts a new baggage sorting system as well as additional passenger loading bridges – a first for Domestic users, eight air bridges, 11 bus gates and an elevated drop-off zone in front of the check-in area. Visitors can now also watch planes take off and land from a viewing deck on the mezzanine level. Article and picture courtesy The Good News