The French Football Federation has confirmed that France will make Pezula Resort Hotel & Spa in Knysna its base camp for the 2010 Football World Cup.
France, which was drawn in Group A to play South Africa, Mexico and Uruguay, will arrive at Pezula in early June.
Les Bleus, who won the competition on home soil in 1998, appear to be the favourites in their group. They will play Uruguay in Cape Town on 11 June, Mexico in Polokwane on 17 June and South Africa in Bloemfontein on 22 June.
Keith Stewart, Pezula Chairman, said that he is delighted that after months of negotiations and visits from the Federation and FIFA, and following the World Cup draw in Cape Town, Pezula is set to become the home of the French team next year.
Says Stewart: “This is a fantastic opportunity not just for Pezula but also for Knysna. I believe that this event will herald a new chapter for Knysna as a destination. Les Bleus will bring a significant media contingent of about 200 accredited journalists with them plus an entourage of followers that will fill up the town, and the community will reap the benefits for many years to come.”
The team has booked the hotel exclusively for the World Cup.
Stewart says that the Federation was attracted by the privacy, security, luxury accommodation and superb facilities at the resort.
“We can offer them including excellent training facilities and a host of activities on site for the periods between games, including horse riding, canoeing, hiking, beach, spa, gym and golf,” says Stewart. “There isn’t another base camp in the country that can offer all this on one property. Pezula is also well-known for its personalised service and the team will be well looked after and made to feel at home while they are with us. We have even employed a language teacher to work with our staff members so that they will all be familiar with French by June next year!”
Stewart believes that the location, Knysna, was also a big draw card for the French. “Knysna has one of the most temperate climates in the world and is renowned for its scenic beauty. Moreover, it is easily accessible from all major airports in South Africa.”
About Pezula
Pezula is located on the Eastern Head of Knysna, just a 40-minute flight from Cape Town. Its consists of a 1,000ha resort which incorporates Pezula Private Estate, Pezula Resort Hotel & Spa and the Pezula Golf Course and Club and is surrounded by rugged cliffs, ancient forests and sheltered beaches. With sweeping views of the Indian Ocean and Knysna Lagoon, it is a haven of privacy and luxury.
Pezula Private Estate is a magnificent low-density residential development which has been recognised as the Most Environmentally Aware Development in the World, and Best Luxury Development in the World.
Pezula Resort Hotel & Spa is an award-winning hotel listed by Travel + Leisure 2009 as one of “The World’s Greatest Hotels, Resorts & Spas”.
Accommodation is in 78 spacious suites, including two presidential suites housed in detached villas and decorated in contemporary African style. Each has its own patio or balcony, a sumptuous bathroom, walk-in wardrobe, pantry kitchen and drinks cabinet. Seating areas and real log fireplaces add to the luxury.
The main building houses a cigar lounge, champagne and whisky bar and gourmet restaurant, Zachary’s. The Castle on the Beach offers an all-day menu and picnics to be savoured on secluded Noetzie Beach.
The multi-award-winning Pezula Spa is a calm sanctuary that delivers a superior health and wellness experience. Twice named Best Spa in South Africa, it includes a 12m heated indoor pool, state-of-the-art gymnasium, outdoor Jacuzzi, sauna and steam room, nail bar, hair salon and medi-spa.
The resort offers a number of outdoor activities apart from golf. At the Field of Dreams there is a multi-sports field which provides an excellent training field for football. There are also four world-class tennis courts, facilities for pétanque and archery and a 300m golf practice range.
Guests have access to Noetzie Beach and River. On-site activities include swimming in the heated outdoor and indoor pools, horse riding, nature trails in the indigenous forest and canoeing. Children are well catered for with a Kiddies Club and animal touch farm.
Blogger Muzi Mohale
I’m Muzi Mohale, based in Roodepoort (South Africa). Blogger with www.travelwires.com. Love Travelwires.com since I get to travel our beautiful country through blogging and get first hand tourism experience.
I am so looking forward to this world cup. The build up has been phenomenal ! South Africa has done an absolute sterling job preparing for the major event on the 2010 sporting calender. Hoteliers have completed full refurbishments and a new airport has been built.
It is here! How proud are we of South Africa. I am not necessarily an avid football fan, but to see this beautifully haunting country achieve and exceed expectations for this their stage for the century is a marvel. I am not South African, however, feel quite emotional at their achievement.