Located in the heart of the Colca Canyon, one of the deepest canyons in the world, Las Casitas Del Colca is a haven of peace and tranquillity. 

The property is nestled on the left bank of the Colca River and boasts twenty luxurious Casitas offering supreme privacy and exclusivity in simple, unpretentious surroundings.

This all inclusive property offers the opportunity to relax and spend time in harmony with nature, the canyon and the community.

Steeped in history and tradition, the Mount Nelson Hotel has continued to embark on its historical journey by acquiring six late Victorian buildings situated in the south extension of Faure Street, on the edge of its existing property. Four of these buildings have been sensitively renovated and adapted to house the luxurious new spa.             

Home ownership in Victorian Cape Town during the 19th Century was limited to people of the ilk of successful merchants, high-ranking civil servants and affluent professionals.  Even then these people could not indulge their tastes until late in the century because of local building conditions, shortage of skilled labour and the high cost of imported components and materials. During this period, it was not usual for the vast majority of people in the lower end of the social scale to own their own homes.  These folk did not have sufficient funding to make the initial capital outlay, nor did they have the necessary collateral to borrow capital.        

This situation provided fertile ground for the talented entrepreneur.  A capitalist investor would acquire the land by subdividing historic farmland, then build houses and rent them out to produce a handsome return on the money invested.  As the 19th Century progressed, the inner suburbs spread in a wide semi-circle around the old nucleus of Cape Town and were markedly split into two by the Company’s Gardens. The western half tended to continue conservatively in the Cape Dutch, mainly Georgian, tradition of building while the eastern side, which catered for the poorer and probably less influential classes, was developed in the modern English fashion.

It was the speculation that arouse surrounding the architecture of domestic dwellings in which the distaste of the style and design of the housing in that day was voiced, that led to the development of Wilkinson and Faure Streets.  Prior to the early 1860’s architects were not highly regarded in the Cape.  However, many years later, when new-found wealth and land developers made their mark upon society, that two architects destined to make a notable contribution to Cape Town’s cityscape, made their entrée and left their signature on four of the buildings in upper Faure Street.

Fred Cherry MRIA, an Irishman, designed no 34 and 36 Faure Street for William Irwin Esq.  Cherry also undertook alterations at the rear of no 32 Faure Street for the same client. William Black FRIBA, from England, was responsible for the relatively elaborate construction of Carnavon House at 30 Faure Street from Mr A Muller.

To fully appreciate the domestic architecture of Faure Street, it is necessary to understand what the private home meant to the society of the time.  For the Victorian middle class, the house had important connotations – it was regarded as the shrine of the family and was thought to be the focal point of life.                             

The house was also regarded as an accurate reflection of the social status of a family.  Even their cultural background and aspirations could be read from the choice and style of interior furnishings.

Needless to say, the first requirement in a house of any pretension was a good suite of reception rooms – the minimum being a dining and a drawing room.  In larger houses, additional reception rooms, such as a study and morning room were found.  Most had at least a third room which was usually smaller than the main reception rooms a little more private.                                 

Besides these rooms, there seems to have been a fashion, which started in the 1880’s, for a small lady’s room upstairs.  This occurred in the largest houses and was usually associated with a balcony.  The provision of fireplaces in these rooms varied, but at a minimum the drawing room possessed at least one fireplace.

At least one bay window was required from 1880 onwards. This was found in the drawing room, but often the other reception rooms had them as well.  Bedrooms were not lavish either in size or number.  The single exception was the master bedroom, which also served as the sitting room of the mistress of the house, so it was usually made larger and given a fireplace.

Mr Faure himself resided in a fine old Georgian dwelling “Villa Faure”, at the lower end of Faure Street. This building was modified in 1901 for a Mr C J Muller esq. with two double-storeyed Victorian extensions and today exists as the “Fritz Hotel”. From there it progressed into Wilkinson Street.  The extension of Faure Street was almost certainly instigated by the developer and his intentions seem to have been to create an exclusive enclave in response to the affluence of the 1890’s.

Today all six buildings in Upper Faure Street have been identified in the draft Cultural Heritage Strategy as heritage resources, buildings and sites of outstanding local architecture, aesthetic and historical value.  As such the Librisa Spa at the Mount Nelson has been created in such a manner that whilst all new well-being philosophies shall be embraced, the past shall never be forgotten.

The Librisa Spa will be open to hotel-residents from mid December 2007 and to day-visitors from mid January 2008. For bookings call (27) (21) 483 1000.

This elegant yet lively restaurant will offer dishes featuring seasonal, local produce. The six unique rooms that make up Andanza include: a beautiful open air courtyard with orange trees and a cascading wall fountain; the Art Room, with its cozy fireplace and oversized leather chairs; the decadent Wine & Cava room; and the elegant private Dining Room. When unwinding after a glorious day spent in San Miguel, the Game Room entices guests with its snug chairs and board games.

The stylish wooden interior and antique hand-stenciled walls of the Blue Bar is home to a vast tequila and beer selection. House made sangritas – a tomato-based drink usually spiked with hot chilies and lime that accompanies a tequila - are a must, and live modern Latin music, jazz, and international sounds complete the experience. 
 
It will be open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Andanza is the second of three restaurants that will be part of Casa de Sierra Nevada’s culinary offerings. The current Parque Restaurant offers traditional Mexican cuisine in a garden setting with an adjacent bar. The third, Limon, is scheduled to open in late autumn.

One and a half blocks from the Parroquia and main city square of San Miguel de Allende, the boutique hotel of Casa de Sierra Nevada is a mixture of 16th to 18th century Spanish colonial buildings.  Its 32 rooms and suites are spread amongst nine colonial mansions, including a 17th century fort, and the former residence of San Miguel de Allende’s Archbishop in the 16th century. With the hotel’s buildings situated around the town rather than in one location, the experience is akin to living in a beautiful, historic apartment, but with the fresh, new amenities and genuine Mexican hospitality provided by Casa de Sierra Nevada, making for a true cultural immersion. Founded in 1542, the town of San Miguel de Allende is a National Monument of Mexico. Sitting at 6,400 feet above sea level, the cobble-stoned streets of this colonial town are lined with palasios that today are a mixture of personal residences, galleries, restaurants and boutiques.

The James Fund

Gorgeous off-white marble flooring makes for luxurious stepping as you browse the spa boutique area for beautiful handcrafted pieces of jewellery and other accessories or as your curiosity leads you to the beautiful open-display cabinets that allow you to sample the premier internationally as well as locally sourced beauty products. A comfortable seating area with refreshments is at your disposal whilst you wait for your pampering to begin.

To the left and right of the reception area are spacious ladies and gentlemen changing areas. Guests will be invited to disrobe and enjoy a sauna or steam bath as well as make use of the ‘his and hers’ plunge pools or a sensation shower, prior to the arranged treatment.  Dusky tones create a calming environment with the fusion of elements such as timber, marble and warm, natural stone.  Unwind on heated hot marble slabs after your steam or sensation shower guaranteed to completely relax your muscles in preparation for your pampering treatment with one of the qualified therapists. For those in need of a little grooming, there are separate manicure and pedicure rooms.

A covered walkway leads to the treatment building where a beautiful water feature captures your imagination at the base of the double volume staircase that leads to the first floor, offering stunning vistas of Table Mountain and the hotel’s landscaped gardens.  Eight (8) treatment rooms are split between the ground and upper floor, with four (4) rooms on each level.   Generously apportioned, the rooms create their own unique ambience, carrying the natural and botanical theme throughout. Locally sourced hand-painted botanical textile panels compliment the décor which comprises of natural and gentle tones of whites and creams.  Bronze mirrors are carefully positioned to reflect the soft light that balances the soul and mind.

Romance will play a key note in the spa concept where four (4) treatment rooms have been designed to offer dual treatments for partners. Stepping further into the spa, there will be an idyllic resting area replicating a quintessential English conservatory room.

Here, spa guests will be able to enjoy refreshments whilst taking in the atmosphere of trickling water and colourful blooms, before being met by their therapist.

Time spent at the new Librisa Spa allows for the perfect opportunity to escape from every day stress.  Luxurious, serene - the ultimate sensual escape.

Comments the hotel’s Managing Director, Nick Seewer; “The Mount Nelson provides guests with an unparalleled choice of accommodation and world-class facilities.  The Librisa Spa is an important extension of this brand philosophy ensuring visitors and guests of a pampering and invigorating experience”.