Fancourt Hotel And Country Club Estate

Fancourt Hotel And Country Club Estate

Contact Details Fancourt Hotel And Country Club Estate +27 (0)44 804 0010 044 804 0700 hotel@fancourt.co.za Web: www.fancourt.com Our Rating out of 10 Enquire now View Rates

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.

Rates

Terms & Conditions

• Rates are inclusive of 14% VAT, Tourism Levy and English Breakfast
• Rates are per room, per night.

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