Three South African gems in the world of hospitality have been awarded places on the World’s Best 100 Hotels ranking: Simon’s Town’s Tintswalo Boulders Boutique Villa, The Belmond Mount Nelson and Cheetah Plains!

Global (21 October 2024) — Three South African gems in the world of hospitality have proved their cut after being voted onto the World’s Best 100 Hotels 2025 list by Fodor’s Travel!

The prestigious list was the work of 750 globetrotting writers and hotel professionals across the world who had the mighty task of narrowing down 700,000 hotels to just 100, representing the best 0.014% of hotels in the world.

Representing South Africa is Tinstwalo Boulders Boutique Villa, which got to share the Africa’s 10 Best Hotels ranking with the Belmond Mount Nelson (the Nellie also earned another acclaimed title this year as the Best Hotel in Africa per the World’s 50 Best Hotels List) and Cheetah Plains in the Sabi Sand!

Tinstwalo Boulders

For the quaint coastal region known for its famous penguin colony at Boulders Beach, the big news for Tintswalo Boulders was a big win for Simon’s Town as a whole.

The hotel was praised for its elegance and breathtaking views across Boulders Beach, as well as its proximity to the African penguins who call the beach home. Hopefully, with the hotel’s fresh spotlight, the light will also expand to hone in on the penguins that make an experience there as special as it is, given their species’ plight for survival.

The Nellie

As for the other victors’, The Mount Nelson was praised for its ever-pink and fabulous style, epic mountain views, lush grounds and its sustainable focus (including its ‘worm farm’ for kitchen waste).

Cheetah Plains

Cheetah Plains similarly scored points for its sustainable ethos, African art, the way it embraces raw and natural materials in design as well as its prime location in the Sabi Sand (especially for those who’d love to get a glimpse of hippos).

Sources: Supplied; Fodor’s Travel 

Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google. 

Do you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:

Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

The post Local Hospitality Gems Check Out: 3 Hotels Among World’s Best! appeared first on Good Things Guy.

Darron’s journey from a young person in a chaotic environment to a community hero is nothing short of inspiring! And it all began with a surfer’s kindness:

Simon’s Town, South Africa (03 April 2024) — Back in the early 2000s when Darron Nicholson was a child, he would sit and watch surfers in Kommetjie. For Darron, watching the surfers wasn’t just about enjoying one of the most mind-blowing skillsets undertaken by humans (though that part was pretty cool too). It was an open invitation to peace—something Darron welcomed amid the chaotic moments of his early life and environment.

One day, a kind surfer (and later on, Darron’s Math teacher) noticed Darron and decided to teach him how to ride the waves for himself. Though neither of them knew it at the time, this act would unfold into a series of positively impactful moments for Darron on his path to becoming a community hero.

Darron went on to teach children from similar backgrounds to his, how to surf. This continued into his young adulthood when he would team up with an American, who eventually became his wife, to do even more good!

Together, the Nicholson’s went on to help scores of struggling children—from foster kids to eventually running their own children’s sanctuary.

After lockdown, Lindsay and Darron were able to start the GLO House, inspired by a phrase used by the children they helped. A home of belief in the better, Lindsay and Darron’s work has been centred around making sure that underprivileged children have the opportunity to grow with love, get an education, and learn about sustainability and animals.

Beyond the children, they are also pillars in surrounding communities.

“The GLO House has an immense amount of projects they work on. One of them is helping Simonstown removing 1-2 tons of food waste from restaurants and Spar to reduce baboon attractants and limiting organic waste to landfill,” shares the Simonstown Community Group who honoured Darron as their person of the month.

“Darron is one of the most honourable people in our immediate society…he endeavours to honour every promise he makes to anyone but especially the kids—it is truly an honour to know him…

“…At 32 we applaud this young man who will go on to do great things not only for our community but for our country.”

Sources: Simonstown Community Group 

Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google. 

Do you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:

Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

The post How a Surfer’s Kindness Helped Ignite Darron’s Journey as a Hero appeared first on Good Things Guy.

Simon’s Town just got its own picture-perfect Penguin Pedestrian Crossing, and it might just be the most wholesome thing you see today:

Simon’s Town, South Africa (14 December 2023) — Penguin Town (AKA, Simon’s Town) recently got a fresh coat of art honouring the African Penguins who live there. Given that people around the world flock to see the Boulders Beach penguin colony, it was only fitting that these seabirds got their own picture-perfect walkway, the Penguin Pedestrian Crossing.

The crossing is equally practical as it is adorable, considering that in this town, it is hardly uncommon to see a penguin waddling across the street. A reminder to keep an eye out for these feathered pals and to respect them, the Penguin Pedestrian Crossing can be found on St George’s Street (a coin’s throw from Boulders Beach).

Painted by local artist Jacques Coetzee, the project is also another pavement public art special from the City of Cape Town.

“The Simon’s Town, Boulders Beach area is globally famous for the colony of African Penguins, a much loved feature of the South Peninsula, loved by locals and visitors alike,” shared mayco member for Urban Mobility, Councillor Rob Quintas.

He added that it was an addition to the Urban Mobility Directorate’s mission to make more creative crossings and public art “in order to create an urban streetscape energy. Or indicate heritage, tourism and cultural precincts.”

As Boulders Beach was recently named one of the best beaches worldwide and as the Western Cape’s tourism numbers continue to soar, it’s only fitting that there’s a special reminder to look out for the seabird residents that make this town quiet so special.

Sources: City of Cape Town; Jacques Coetzee

Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google. 

Have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:

Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

The post Simon’s Town Gets a Picture-Perfect Penguin Pedestrian Crossing! appeared first on Good Things Guy.