The Travel Trend Of The Future: Luxury Resorts That Grow Their Own Food

To be sure, the global outbreak of the coronavirus could very likely change what travelers are looking for when selecting a destination for a holiday in the future. Luxury resorts that grow their own produce will likely be in more demand than ever before, not only because of the fresh and high quality food they serve but also in the event that the food could be contaminated when from an outside source or in short supply in some areas.

There are three luxury resorts around the world that are worth checking out, one located on the island of Kauai in Hawaii, a private club with a residential component and hotel under development in New Jersey and a third located in the Cederberg Mountains of South Africa, each of which have impressive organic produce farms. Not only does each of these destinations offer incredible amenities and activities to do, but you will dine to your hearts’ content on fresh, high quality produce that is grown onsite.

Bushmans Kloof in South Africa

Three hundred kilometers north of Cape Town, South Africa, in the foothills of the Cederberg Mountains is Bushmans Kloof, a five-star luxury wellness and wilderness retreat and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Bushmans Kloof is a Relais and Châteaux property and under the umbrella of Red Carnation Hotels.

Set on 7,000-hectares of gorgeous pristine wilderness, Bushmans Kloof is renowned for its outstanding nature experiences as well as for its outstanding food, much of which is supplied by its own large organic garden that is tended by a team of eleven gardeners.

The Bushmans Kloof garden, which also includes a large greenhouse where produce can be grown during the winter months, produces a wide variety of citrus, including limes and oranges, as well as vegetables and fruits including tomatoes, spinach, herbs, cucumbers, peppers, eggplant, strawberries, melons, and watermelon. The harvest of the garden is so robust, the resort shares its bounty with its sister property, The 12 Apostles, a luxurious beachfront resort in Camps Bay in Cape Town. “We focus on herbs and fruits and vegetables,” says Rory de Plessis, general manager of Bushmans Kloof, which is owned by Red Carnation Hotels. “Almost everything we produce is utilized in some way. Even the lavender and rose petals that we grow are used in the turndown service. We try to be as sustainable as possible.”

The resort offers several dining venues around the property, and each guest can have a variety of experiences during his or her stay. Before a guest arrives, the resort will ask them to complete a questionnaire so that it is prepared to accommodate any dietary requests. The chef prepares several different menus each day and changes the dishes on a seasonal basis as well.

In addition to an open-air restaurant that oversees the mountains where you can watch families of baboons from afar while you dine, there are several unique venues throughout the property, such as a remote, renovated shepherd’s house in the middle of the wilderness where a private chef will cook an entire meal over an open fire. Other culinary highlights include wine tastings featuring award-winning South African wines, traditional South African braais, picnics in the reserve such as one set up on a rivers edge where you can fly fish before or after the meal. During the winter months, meals are served inside the main lodge which features a large fireplace. Of course, a proper afternoon tea with a variety of desserts is served each day as well.

Bushmans Kloof offers a wide variety of activities. Guests are treated to daily nature drives in open-air safari vehicles from which they can spot wild animals from rare Cape Mountain zebra and ostrich to springbok, baboon and wildebeest. A wide variety of flora and fauna is also seen during these mini-safaris, including rooibos, an indigenous plant with leaves that are used to make herbal tea. Bushmans Kloof is also the custodian of over 130 ancient rock art sites with some dating back 10,000 years, and as such, has been awarded a Grade One accreditation—the highest level of designation alongside Robben Island, Union Building and other iconic national locations. The resort has a resident rock art curator on the staff who takes guests to the sites and explains the history behind the drawings.

Guests can choose to trek into the mountains, hike to see waterfalls and stargaze. There are miles of trails for those who like to hike or bike (complimentary mountain bikes are available for guests to use). If relaxation is your goal, there are a number of quiet spots to sit and read a book, although the beauty of the landscape and abundance of wildlife that can be seen in the distance might be distracting.

The property accommodates no more than 34 guests in luxury guest rooms and suites, and up to ten more that can be accommodated in Koro Lodge, a private home on the property, which is popular for families.

Bushmans Kloof also offers a world-class spa that offers treatments inspired by ancient African traditions. The spa uses signature B|Africa products that draw on native African plant extracts, such as baobab tree oil, mafura butter, cape aloe and rooibos. For couples, the spa offers a secluded Riverside Gazebo that us is ideal for an alfresco, side-by-side treatment while taking in panoramic views of the tranquil waters of the Boontjes River. Guests also have access to a crystal steam room, several heated outdoor swimming pools, health bar, fitness center and tranquility lounge.

A visit to Bushmans Kloof can be combined with a stay at its sister property, The 12 Apostles, a five-star luxury beachfront resort in Cape Town. Bushmans Kloof is currently offering several special packages, such as a Stay for Three nights Pay for Two and a Stay for Four Nights Pay for Three. See this link to learn more about special offers.

For more information about visiting Bushmans Kloof, visit its website at this link.

Kukui’ula on the island of Kauai

Located on the sunny South Shore of the island, Kukui’ula is an exclusive 1,010-acre private club development that offers both residential real estate and a lodging component, The Lodge at Kukui’ula. The pristine property has plenty of world-class amenities, from a Tom Weiskopf-designed golf course to a full-service spa and multiple dining options.

The club is so exclusive that only members of the club (who are required to own property) and a limited number of guests who stay at The Lodge at Kukui’ula have access to its impressive array of luxurious facilities.

What sets Kukui’ula apart from most other developments, however, is its 10-acre upcountry organic farm. The farm grows a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, herbs and flowers—all available on a complimentary basis for members and guests of the property. Simply drive, walk, hike or bike to the farm and collect what you need, from tropical fruits such as pineapple, banana, passion fruit, papaya, lilikoi and mango as well as tropical flowers, a wide variety of vegetables and herbs. There’s also a hen house where you can collect eggs. If you are in a hurry, just go to the clubhouse where a refrigerator is stocked daily with complimentary produce from the farm. “The farm is an important part of the club,” says Richard Albrecht, President of Kukui’ula Development Company. “It informs the food and the menu of our restaurants. It informs everything we do in terms of being a grounded place.”

Most clubs around the world aren’t known for their excellent cuisine. But that is not the case here. The Clubhouse restaurant, Umeke Kitchen + Bar offers fresh cuisine and locally grown fruits and vegetables, many of which are from the club’s own farm. Theme nights at the restaurant guarantee variety. For example, on Wednesday nights there is a chef’s tasting and wine dinner with four to seven courses. On Friday nights, there is a Chop + Stix night you can enjoy a Kansas City dry or wet aged steaks and a variety of sushi and maki rolls. These theme nights offer a variety of dining options, which is especially nice for the club’s members who choose to eat most of their meals on the property. “We are catering more to the members with these options, but the hotel guests get the benefit of it, too,” says Nicholas Gold, the Club’s General Manager.

A second restaurant is located poolside, The Makai Grill, is a short walk from the clubhouse and serves lunch, snacks and barbeque-themed dinners on Sundays.

Kukui’ula offers a wide range of homeownership opportunities from large homesites for custom built homes to turnkey villas and bungalows. Sites offer beautiful ocean and golf course views. Custom homes start at $4.9 million and villas start at approximately $2.25 million.

A move-in condition custom residence, Kahalawai H, is a 6,751 square foot home with four bedrooms and five and a half bathrooms is currently on the market for $11.8 million, the home was designed by acclaimed architect Bing Hu with interiors by notable interior designer Mary Philpotts Mcgrath. Offering seamless indoor/outdoor living, it has breath-taking ocean and mountain views from every room. The master bedroom retreat is complete with an outdoor garden, spa and shower, also has an indoor soaking tub and steam shower. The gated, 1.46-acre estate also includes a detached guest cottage, three pools and a yoga hale.

Kukui’ula also offers 40 units in its lodging program that come with access to the club’s facilities, otherwise you need to be a member or guest of a member. Click here for more information about the lodging program which is managed by Destination Hotels.

For more information about real estate opportunities at Kukui’ula or lodging information, visit its website.

Pendry Natirar in Somerset County, New Jersey

Nestled in the rolling hills of Somerset County, New Jersey and less than an hour from New York City, Natirar, the former home of the King of Morocco, is an award-winning farm-to-table Ninety Acres Restaurant & Cooking School (with interiors designed by the Rockwell Group), a sustainable farm, a large banquet facility (which is a popular wedding venue), and a private membership club. A luxury real estate development and boutique hotel is currently under development (click here to read “Former Home of King To Become Luxury Hotel And Residences In New Jersey”). 

Among Natirar’s deepest values is sustainably growing, harvesting, preparing, and enjoying food on-site. Natirar is able to accomplish this through a 12-acre all natural sustainable farm that features over 200 varieties of produce and humanely raised, pasture-fed livestock including Berkshire pigs, poultry, and sheep. 

Natirar’s private membership club, called the Natirar Club, is geared toward people who share a passion for food, wine, adventure and the desire to be a part of a socially responsible establishment. Members have many opportunities to enhance and enrich their social, physical and cultural lives through club programs designed with the sole aim of creating experiences for the members.  

Guests and club members can enjoy the bounty of the Natirar Farm anytime they dine at Natirar and also purchase fresh produce to take home. The Natirar Fresh CSA Program offers vegetables, berries, herbs, flowers, eggs, honey and a chef-created menu.

Pendry Residences Natirar, which is currently being developed, will offer 24 private, whole-ownership Estate and Farm Villas created for luxury, country-style living. “We will have the unique opportunity to bring to buyers a resort residential lifestyle within a private gated enclave,” says developer Robert Wojtowicz. Set within a private gated enclave named Abby Road within the 90-acre resort property, the Estate Villas will offer semi-custom homes and will feature expansive views and options to personalize selections and home configurations. The residences are designed to deliver hassle-free living with privacy and up to 4,000 square feet of living space.

Designed by renowned architect, Bob Hillier, the residences will be priced from the low $2 millions to more than $3 million, depending on the size and interior finishes that are selected.

When it opens in 2021, Pendry Natirar, the new luxury hotel, will be managed by Pendry Hotels & Resorts, one of the most bespoke hotel management companies in the country. Pendry Hotels & Resorts is a division of Montage International, the luxury hotel management company.

The modern farm villa design will offer fully furnished, two-bedroom, 2,400-3,000 square-foot homes with residential amenities that inspire the ultimate indoor-outdoor experience, such as outdoor fireplaces and custom designed gardens that will be tended to and managed by the Natirar Farm team. The farm villas will have a backyard connection to the farm affording access to daily harvests of fresh herbs, eggs and produce delivered to their doorstep daily.

Residence owners will have access to all hotel amenities and services as well as the private club that already exists on the property and a private residential staff. There will also be special programs for home owners including a customized farm experience allowing them to curate their own Natirar garden experience in their backyard and wellness programs designed to enjoy both inside their residence as well as at Spa Pendry.

For more information about Pendry Residences Natirar visit its website.