Bleisure — the trend of adding blissful leisure activities to your business trip — is the new buzzword taking the travel industry by storm. Dozens of savvy corporate travellers are extending their business trips to do some sightseeing after clinching a business deal and to experience the culture of their business destination.
Offering slick city living in the central business districts with close proximity to tourist hot spots, South Africa seems to be the perfect place to practise some bleisure. So, if blurring the lines between work and play sounds enticing and you’re heading to Cape Town, Pretoria, Johannesburg, Durban or Bloemfontein, TravelGround rounded up the perfect stylish and chic apartments to make the most of your next business trip.
Take a look and start planning your relaxing getaway without missing a step on the corporate ladder!
Mountain View Loft is a fully furnished New York-style apartment in the pulsing city centre of Cape Town. The exposed brick walls bring character and rustic charm into this otherwise sleek and modern abode, and the chrome finishes create an industrial feel. After a long day of meetings you can unwind in the living room and enjoy the unobstructed views of Table Mountain and the city bowl.
Sleeps: 2 guests.
Wi-Fi: Yes (at an additional charge).
Workspace: Yes (at the large wooden dining table).
Laundry service: Yes.
Airport shuttle: Yes.
Major attractions in the vicinity: Table Mountain, Signal Hill, Castle of Good Hope and the V&A Waterfront. The Parisian-inspired Headquarters (HQ) Restaurant is the perfect place to celebrate that long-awaited deal finally coming through.
If you’re after modern accommodation in one of Cape Town’s most edgy and eclectic cosmopolitan neighbourhoods, Swift Studios Self-Catering Studio Apartment in Woodstock is your go-to destination. With its Scandinavian-inspired décor featuring bright and bold patterns and textures, this studio apartment offers snug and chic living. After a long week of corporate negotiations you can put your feet up and relax in one of the cosy nooks of this quaint apartment.
Sleeps: 2 guests.
Wi-Fi: Yes.
Workspace: Yes.
Laundry service: No, but the Galleria Laundry Services is right around the corner.
Airport shuttle: No, but Cape Town is a very Uber-friendly city.
Major attractions in the vicinity: Visit The Neighbourgoods Market at The Old Biscuit Mill on a Saturday morning for some tasty treats, book a table at The Test Kitchen for the finest of fine dining experiences or head to Wauhaus or Vamp Furniture for some funky furniture finds.
A luxury unit at Akanani Apartments features clean lines paired with a neutral palette and offers open-plan, minimalist living. The beautiful Nguni rugs add a nice, earthy touch and the lovely queen-size bed will ensure a good night’s sleep before that important business meeting.
Sleeps: 2 guests.
Wi-Fi: Yes.
Workspace: Yes.
Laundry service: No, but your suit can be picked up and delivered by The Laundry Company.
Airport shuttle: No, but the Hatfield Gautrain Station is just around the corner.
Major attractions in the vicinity: Various embassies, government departments, and sights like the Union Buildings, Botanical Gardens, Paul Kruger Square and the Voortrekker Monument. Meet old friends for craft beer and live music at Meet on Milner or head to the upmarket Kream Restaurant for the ultimate business lunch.
AtholPlace Hotel & Villa offers a sanctuary of comfort and tranquility in the cosmopolitan northern suburb of Atholl in Sandton. The suites are all adorned in natural tones, but blue and tropical green touches enliven the interior. When you’re travelling with family or friends, book the four bedroom AtholPlace Villa where you can enjoy exclusive use of the private garden and the Maxi-bar in the villa’s kitchen.
Sleeps: 2 – 6 guests per unit.
Wi-Fi: Yes.
Workspace: Yes.
Laundry Services: No, but Levingers – Dry Cleaners will come to your door for collection and drop-off.
Airport Shuttle: Yes.
Major attractions in the vicinity: Sandton Central, offering world-class shopping and an abundance of restaurants with something to suit everyone’s needs, is within close proximity. Sandton City, Nelson Mandela Square and Village Walk are all minutes away from AtholPlace.
If you’re looking for something completely different, Curiocity Durban is the place to be. This modern marvel comprises dormitory and double rooms with large windows and industrial light fixtures. A little pop of turquoise is a vibrant finish to the black-and-white colour scheme and the tropical plants bring nature inside. You can relax at their urban spa featuring yoga facilities or enjoy a movie at the outdoor cinema.
Sleeps: 2 guests per unit.
Wi-Fi: Yes.
Workspace: Yes.
Laundry Services: No, but The Laundry Guy offers collection and delivery services in Durban.
Airport Shuttle: No, but an airport shuttle bus can be arranged at additional cost.
Major attractions in the vicinity: The Durban ICC, Warwick Junction, the harbour and restaurants like 9th Avenue Bistro and Havana Grill.
Mai Guest House offers apartment rooms featuring a palette of cool grays and crisp whites highlighted by touches of wood and a lot of green plants. The colours are muted, but rich textures and funky patterns keep things interesting. Lounge a Sunday morning away on the modern pouffe in the lapa area or catch up on some work at the contemporary workstations.
Sleeps: 2 guests per room.
Wi-Fi: Yes.
Workspace: Yes.
Laundry Services: No, but Ultra Modern Dry Cleaners offers collection and delivery services.
Airport Shuttle: No, but a shuttle service can be arranged at extra cost.
Major attractions in the vicinity: The University of the Free State and The Central University of Technology, Mimosa Mall, the Loch Logan Waterfront and restaurants like Avanti Restaurant and New York Restaurant.
So, if you’re looking to see more than the inside of a conference room on your next business trip, check out one of these slick city apartments.
Feature image: Bigstock.
