Recently, we decided to get away for a few days at the beautiful Fancourt golf and lifestyle resort in George on South Africa’s Garden Route. While we don’t play golf, we chose Fancourt for the myriad of activities and offerings that it held for our young family.
Here are just 7 reasons why we loved staying at this magnificent property:
1. An endless landscape
Fancourt is home to three world-class golf courses but it’s also set on 613 hectares of pristine countryside home to lakes, exquisite gardens, and lush natural vegetation. And when you have a one year old that loves spending time outdoors exploring, that much space is a real treat! The views from every point on the estate are also breathtaking with the towering Outeniqua mountains forming a perfect natural backdrop.
2. The spa is heavenly
Life with an infant is demanding and so a spa on holiday provides a much needed space to rest and refresh. We enjoyed getting massages and pedicures at the spa, before indulging in some adults-only relaxation at the heated roman baths. There’s also has a hair salon, jacuzzi, sauna, steam room and tepidarium so if you could literally spend the whole day just relaxing here!
3. A place for kids to play
While our baby was too young to be left alone at the kid’s club (they take from age 3), this great space still provided a spot for her to play safely. There was a ball pit, soft play and plenty of toys to keep her entertained indoors when the weather wasn’t so great, but when the sun came out the jungle gym and slide was a hit!
4. Plenty of pools to pick
The oversized outdoor pool at Fancourt is perfect for sunshiny days and with a café and bar poolside we didn’t have to venture too far to get a snack. But when the weather turned bad, our swimming didn’t need to be cut short. We simply strolled inside where we were delighted to find a good sized indoor heated pool with a kiddie’s splash pool where we could continue to play.
5. An abundance of activities
With a little one in tow, holidays are always go, go, go. Thankfully, Fancourt offered plenty of activities to keep us busy. While golf and tennis were perhaps a bit out of the realm of possibility, we really enjoyed zooming around the estate on an electric scooter and bicycle. They even had a top of the range baby seat for the bicycle so baby could also enjoy the ride.
6. Amazing dining
After COVID restrictions and a new baby, eating out can be a real luxury and the estate’s onsite La Cantina restaurant did not disappoint. But the real luxury was ordering a delicious lamb curry and chicken schnitzel as room service while our daughter slept soundly in her cot. We even indulged in a decadent slice of chocolate cake to go with the complimentary bottle of red wine in our room. And in the morning, a buffet breakfast allowed us to pick and choose whatever took our fancy with bottomless mimosas to set the tone for the day!
7. Perfectly situated to explore
As you can see, there isn’t really any reason to leave Fancourt but with so much to see and do in the area, you’d be silly not too. Some of our favorite activities nearby include the George transport museum, the Outeniqua Farmer’s Market, Redberry Farm where you can go strawberry picking and enjoy a ride on a train, find your way out of the hedge maze, or feed the bunnies, and venturing down to the beach at Victoria Bay.
