The Devon Valley Hotel rejuvenation results in numerous prestigious awards!

Devon Valley Hotel has been awarded the best Boutique Hotel in South Africa by the 2008 AA Travel Guides American Express Accommodation Awards programme. The programme includes different types of guesthouses and hotels, game lodges, self-catering resorts and lodges.

The decision by the Louis Group International and its partners to purchase the Devon Valley Hotel and surrounding SylvanVale Vineyards in September 2003 has reaped its reward.

Following the extensive 18-month refurbishment process the Devon Valley Hotel was recently named the 2006 & 2007 Winner of the South African Best of Wine Tourism Award in the Accommodation Category by the South African Chapter of the Great Wine Capitals Global Network. Previous equally prestigious awards belonging to The Devon Valley Hotel include the property's official Four Star Status awarded by the South African Tourism Grading Council, the Premier Status given to the Hotel by the Protea Group and the Diners Club International Wine List of the Year Gold Award for 2005 and 2006 and Platinum for 2007. The hotel was recently awarded the as the Best Customer Rated hotel by online booking system, Expedia.com.

In addition to these achievements the integrity of the vineyards were reinforced when the SylvanVale Dry Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé was added to the select list of wine options available on the prestigious Blue Train, and the equally popular DV Red blend was awarded a Bronze Medal at the 2005 Fairbairn Capital Trophy Wine Show. Furthermore, at the 2006 International Wine & Spirit Competition in London, the SylvanVale Pinotage 2003 received a Silver award, the SylvanVale Chenin Blanc 2004 a Bronze award and the Dry Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé 2004 also a Bronze award.

SylvanVale continued to flourish with an excellent performance at the WINE Magazine's Shiraz Challenge, where the SylvanVale Shiraz 2004 was rated under the Top 20 wines (out of 215 wines tasted). Finally, SylvanVale further claimed Bronze at the 2005 Veritas Awards for the DV Red 2004 as well as the Pinotage 2003. Certainly an outstanding performance for a relatively small wine producer, competing with the best in the South African Wine industry. The Devon Valley Hotel and SylvanVale Vineyards are set to become a significant force to be reckoned with, aiming to make a meaningful and lasting impact on the Hospitality and Wine Industries in the Stellenbosch Winelands region.