MEDIA COMMENTS FOR WEBSITE

22 July 2009

Dreamy surroundings, wonderfully warm staff, personal service and a beautiful drive from Johannesburg have made Cybele an institution for many years. It’s certainly been a destination I’ve returned to for everything from romantic getaways to girly bonding sessions. Congratulations on your anniversary, Cybele, happy birthday – and here’s to many more!

Pnina Fenster - Editor GLAMOUR

Thanks to the dream Cybele team for another memorable weekend at their five-star establishment. From the friendly service and luxe accommodation to pampering spa treatments and divine food, we were covered for an amazing stay. Add to this breathtaking forest surrounds and so many special touches along the way (candelit bubble baths and "bon voyage" biscuits to name a few) and we were in heaven. It was a perfect 10 - thank you the team and well done for maintaining sky-high standards.
Tanya Kovarsky – Cleo Magazine

Thank you SO MUCH for an amazing experience. It is one of the best weekends I've ever had - I walked in the forest, caught up on reading, ate like a king and lounged by the fire to my hearts content. I feel like a new person.

Cybele is a special place and I will be telling all about it!

My soul thanks you,
Zanele Kumalo, Elle magazine Beauty Editor & Bureau Chief

The very best thing to do here is relax; there’s no better activity than being pampered at The Forest Health Spa.
Julia Mafcher, Feature Writer, The Property Magazine

Cybele Forest Lodge and Spa is the perfect long-weekend getaway for the South African traveller. I could go on and on about how beautiful the property is – which it is – or talk about how outstanding the meals are – which they are – but the most outstanding aspect of the property is its staff. From the general manager and receptionist to the waiters and grounds men, the service is personal and impeccable, each and every time. It is truly a luxurious experience, in every sense of the phrase.

Natasha Tippel, Travel News Weekly

Ever since I first read about Cybele Forest Lodge in a British travel magazine about 20 years ago I wanted to stay because the place sounded so wonderful and the guests so intriguing. Now I have stayed and it exceeded my expectations. In the heart of an African forest and with an incredible variety of trees, flower and plants, it's got everything that anyone seeking to relax in private could want and - you never know who you are going to meet!!!
Andrew Moth - Editor – Hotel & Restaurant magazine

Luxurious comfort in the privacy of your own, fully equipped garden unit with pool. Wind your way through the tropical Lowveld garden to the old-style farmhouse nestling under a huge old tree and have a pre-dinner drink on the big porch with its comfy couches before being lured inside by the promise of mouth-watering five-star food. And just when you thought it couldn't get any better, drop into the Clarins gold status spa, lie down and close your eyes...
Jacques Liebenberg - Beeld newspaper

At first, all I wanted to do was to curl up on the couch, remote in one hand, book in another. A tray with aromatic coffee and Cybele’s famous home baked dainties on the coffee table completed my heaven. It is the ideal place to go into hibernation, whether you’re escaping the stress of the Big Smoke or planning a second honeymoon.
The service is exceptional – I have very seldom had such good room service, quick and helpful, with hot food of high quality, well presented…The food is simply blissful.
If you do want to leave the cocoon, there’s plenty to do… visit the Spa in the Forest, and book a pamper-session. I enjoyed a long, lingering massage which almost knocked me out completely. After that, I was good for nothing but a slow, wobbly stagger back to my room and a filter coffee to get my strength up.
Mandi Smallhorne – Editor Airlink magazine

There is an undeniable magic about Cybele Forest Lodge. It has the offerings you would expect from one of the country’s top country hotels – friendly, but discreet service, delicious food, luxurious accommodation and pampering spa treatments. But the real magic, I believe, lies in its perfect location. The verdant gardens are tranquil, the giant trees spectacular, the views breath-taking and the silence mesmerising. Not often have I managed to shrug off the stress of the city in such a short space of time. It is undoubtedly a slice of paradise and one of the most relaxing places I have had the pleasure of visiting. A weekend in that part of the world is far too short!
Ingrid Wood – Creative Director – Destiny Magazine

Comfy accommodation, sumptuous spa treatments and decadent cuisine! Maître de Maison Stephan was the perfect host, making us feel right at home, and ensuring that just about every whim and fancy was catered for. Because of its proximity to Kruger, I would recommend Cybele as the perfect weekend stopover for anyone on their way into or out of the Park. It is also an ideal base for exploring the area. A true little diamond in the rough.
Paula Gruben – Live Out Loud magazine

In my opinion Cybele Forest Lodge and Health Spa is an a gem of the low veld. A weekend at this amazing hotel is one of the most relaxing experiences I have had! The first impression of Cybele is the elegant, subtle beauty of the buildings and their surrounds. The staff are all super friendly and efficient and offer five star service with none of the pretention.
Karen Green – Wine Tourism Newspaper

Cybele is situated in an enchanted forest that allows you to escape completely from the rat race, but when you need to go shopping it's only 30 minutes from some amazing art galleries and interesting shops in White River. The staff are some of the best in the industry and the inspired cuisine is something to look forward to. Accommodation is spacious, comfortable and private. There are numerous activities like horse riding, quad bikes, walking trails and spa treatments for the self-indulgent.
Cybele is ideal for honeymooners, anniversaries or simply to spoil yourself.
Rubin van Niekerk – Editor, Gay Pages

Cybele offers city-dwellers a magical escape to absolute tranquillity in breath-taking splendour. My Fiancé and I felt completely at home in our very own cottage with quaint personal touches that kept us nestled indoors for ultimate relaxation. It was truly a weekend of ultimate indulgence: spa treatments that left us feeling utterly rejuvenated and magnificently presented dishes at Cybele’s restaurant that left our taste buds yearning for more! I was told that Cybele is renowned for 5 star service and I was not disappointed: the friendly and attentive staff exceeded my every expectation. Whether you decide to venture on magical forest horse rides or walk alongside the magnificent waterfall backdrop, the lodge offers a decadent experience in fairy-tale-like surroundings. This experience was indeed food for my soul.
Tenielle Woolf – Shape magazine

Cybele took my breath away and gave me back much, much more. Driving down the avenue leading to the gates of Cybele is like driving into a tunnel and you know already that you are leaving the world behind. The Jeffries have created another world, where you are cosseted and cared for, every wish has been anticipated and every detail taken care of. This is no accident, you can see that everyone there really loves what they are doing and takes pleasure in doing it well. Cybele really deserves its place as one of the best destinations in South Africa.
Gerard Rissik – Exit Newspaper

Founded by Rupert and Barbara Jeffries, the five-star estate is the original South African member of the prestigious Relais & Châteaux association. The tree-lined drive (carpeted with purple froth in jacaranda season) leads to 300 acres of forest, rambling gardens, 12 villas and the original farmhouse. Six villas come with a private heated pool; all rooms have soft leather couches, crackling fires and glossy marble bathrooms, complete with sunken baths and an outdoor shower. Kick off the day with a buffet breakfast in the farmhouse restaurant (served until noon), followed by an amble to the waterfall or a gentle horse ride through feathery meadows, then squeeze out any leftover stress at the tranquil Zen spa. Newly appointed chef is 27-year-old Emile Van der Vee, who trained under legendary chefs Garth Stroebel and Paul Hartmann. His country-style lunch menu, served under an enormous fig tree, features highlights like chicken and tarragon pie and smoked duck salad. The French-inspired dinner menu changes seasonally and may include delights such as duck liver paté with pink peppercorn caramel shard or creamy penne with lobster tail. A few days at Cybele feels like a week’s relaxation, so it’s not surprising that many overseas regulars use the lodge as their base when in South Africa. The Kruger Park and other scenic sights are within easy reach … as is the excuse to just stay put.
Ingrid Casson - Wine and Travel Editor, Food & Home