On my last research trip, I visited several boutique retreats and even safari lodges which place almost equal emphasis on two apparently distinct market niches. This seems to be a recent trend. Travellers don’t have to choose between staying on a golf-estate or a winery.

They can do both, as at Steenberg Hotel & Wine Estate in Cape Town’s Constantia Valley. Game-viewing (especially looking for Meerkats) can be combined with horse-riding at Tswalu Game Reserve in the Kalahari or with a sumptuous spa, as at Royal Malewane Game Lodge. Golf is combined with a spa at many establishments, including Pezula Hotel & Spa. Some of my travel industry mates reckon that this is unnecessary one-upmanship on the part of the hoteliers, but I’m not so sure…

Every travel consultant is familiar with the couple with no semblance of interests in common. The initial consultation sees them happily enthusing individually about their values and priorities, oblivious to the fact that they appear to be requesting two totally divergent holidays. This is very familiar territory for me. Only a few weeks back, at a convivial lunch with friends a fellow guest suddenly blurted out “I can’t believe you two are married!” to the huge amusement of all, bar my beloved and I, who were most bemused – we think that vehement disagreement on 99% of topics is utterly normal! Maybe this makes me more sympathetic to the problems of what we call the ‘mismatched couples’. How do you reconcile different tastes when it comes to leisure pursuits, especially when there is a lot of money at stake?

There are a few ways that self-aware travellers overcome this problem. One is, of course, to actually book separate trips. But this is a) expensive and b) not very chummy (especially at the start of a relationship, or on honeymoon). Many people ‘take turns’ with one partner calling the shots for one shared holiday, then yielding through gritted teeth on the next. Others book large resorts which cater for a wide range of people, though this doesn’t address the needs of folk who prefer the small and characterful.

The South African lodges which can meet the needs of, say, a keen birder or photographer whose partner just wants to play golf, are fulfilling quite a need. Contact Us for more ideas on lodges and hotels which can offer something for both parties!