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Days
of Wine
and
Roses at Sheraton Addis Ababa My inner child
loves surprises, and to discover a freshly cut
sweetheart rose grown on the horn of Africa nestled
on one's pillow is a touch that transcends time and
space. This was the first surprise the Sheraton
Addis reserved for our group, and much more awaited
us the next morning as we explored the halls, nooks
and crannies of this elegant hotel and
its
spacious,
luxuriant, terraced grounds. Later, we discovered
ornate vases of Ethiopian roses literally
everywhere; in the restaurants, around the lobby
and corridors, at the pool-side, and at a festive
wedding we attended on our first evening there.
Freshly cut roses perfumed the air at other
locations throughout the
city. After asking
around, we discovered that these fragrant blooms
were home grown &emdash; a budding new industry
that's capturing hearts and markets in Europe and
the USA. Since Addis Ababa means "new flower " in
Amharic it is significant that this 8-year old cut
flower business is flourishing nearby. Water for
continuous irrigation of the flower beds is pumped
and gravity-fed from Lake Zama. Already exporting
over 100,000 roses weekly and employing over 200
workers, Meskel Flowers, is expected to more than
double in the next few years. (continued) Exclusive South
African private game reserve voted best
international resort hotel. Singita on top of the
world for the 3rd consecutive year South Africa's
celebrated Singita Group with exclusive luxury game
lodges in the Sabi Sand Reserve and Kruger National
Park, has been rated the worldâs No. 1 Resort
Hideaway for the third consecutive year and has
triumphed as the smallest property ever to come
first in the international resort hotel category of
the highly regarded international
connoisseurâs Travel Guide, Andrew
Harperâs Hideaway Report. Singita was voted
as the top resort hideaway for properties under 50
rooms and with its l8-room lodge, became the
smallest property in the 22 year history of the
poll to be named the best international resort
hotel overall. The USA based annual Andrew
Harperâs Hideaway Report is the oldest, most
highly regarded poll of its kind conducted amongst
its worldwide readership of sophisticated frequent
travellers. Currently in its 25th year, this
subscription newsletter carries enormous
respectability as an insight into hotels, resorts
and properties globally that achieve and maintain
the highest possible standards. Singita boasts a
string of other accolades including top honours in
the prestigious Conde Nast Traveler Readersâ
Choice Awards for the past two years, inclusion in
UK Tatlerâs 2003 Travel Guide listing for the
101 Best Hotels Worldwide, and was the only
Southern African property to be included in the UK
based The Gallivanterâs Guide in its 2002
Awards for Excellence. For more
information on Singita, visit their website at
http://www.singita.co.za/.
For reservations in South Africa Email:
mailto:reservations@singita.co.za,
Tel: 27-21-683 3424, Fax: 27-21-683
3502. |
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