Lynwood Manor, Pretoria

Casa Toscana Lodge

Background: Opened 12 Years Ago As A Guesthouse And Small Restaurant, Casa Toscana Has Evolved Into A Gorgeous, Italian-Themed Retreat. As Additional Conference Facilities And Rooms Were Added Four Years Ago, The Family-Owned Lodge Is Now Also A Fully-Fledged Microcosm For Weddings Or Corporate Functions. What Is It Like? Styled Around A Tuscan Villa Theme, Casa Toscana Succeeds In Integrating Uniform Decor Cues Throughout The Rooms, Restaurant And Conference Facilities. Staff Are All Highly Attentive And Impeccably Dressed, With Each Division Run By An Expert Hands-On Manager. Romantic Elements Can Be Provided According To Taste, Ranging From Candlelit Dinners To Petals Scattered Around The Bath. Security Is Also A Focus, As The Lodge Is Entirely Cashless (Utilises Only Bank Cards For Payment) And Two Roaming Security Guards Are Present At Night Along With A 24-Hour Porter In Reception. Staff Pride Themselves On Living Up To Casa’S Motto Of ‘Style Is Born Not Created’. Where Is It? Situated Just Off The Lynnwood Road Exit To The N1 Highway, Casa Toscana Is Conveniently Central To Pretoria’S Cbd, Overlooking The Eastern Suburbs. A Free Shuttle Service Is Provided To The Adjacent Centre For Scientific Innovation And Research (Csir), And The Innovation Hub Is Also Nearby. Or Tambo Is Less Than 50 Km Away And A Shuttle Service Is Also Offered To And From The Airport.

Room Facilities: The Four-Star Lodge Has 10 Standard Rooms With En Suite Bathrooms And Showers, And 10 Suites With Spa Baths And Showers. Offered On A Bed And Breakfast Package, Or A Dinner, Bed And Breakfast Package -Given The Amazing On-Site Restaurant The Latter Option Is Strongly Recommended. Free Wireless Internet Is Accessible In All Rooms And Throughout The Grounds. Amenities Such As Air-Conditioning, Coffee And Tea Facilities, A Fridge, Ironing Board And Hair Dryer Are All Present, While Dstv’S Hotel Package Provides A Limited Selection Of Television Channels. Restaurants And Bars: The Culinary Heart Of Casa Toscana Is Lé-Si, Which Deservedly Won ‘Best Restaurant In Tshwane’ In The 2009 Tshwane Tourism Awards As A Fully Licensed à La Carte Restaurant. Dark Wood Floors, Muted Lighting And Secluded Tables Set The Mood, And A Cigar Bar And Wide Range Of Cognacs And Whiskies Are Available. The Menu Is A Treat, With Artfully Presented Specialities Such As Chilli Chocolate Fillet Steak Or Deep-Fried Ice Cream, And The Annually Compiled Wine List Won The Diners Club Award For Best Wine List. Attention To Detail Is Exemplary, Right Down To Seven Flavoured Butters Offered, Palate-Cleansing Sorbet Served After The Starters, And The Food Menu Being Personally Delivered By The Chef.

Business And Meeting Facilities:Casa Toscana Boasts Five-Star Conference Facilities Within Its Rubica Venue, With Limited Wheelchair Access. Seven Conference Rooms, Ranging From Small Boardrooms To Large Auditoriums, Can seat up to 150 people. Aunique Option Is The Underground Wine Cellar Which Doubles As A Conference Room And Function Area, With Its Walls Lined By Over 1 000 Wines. Video Conferencing, Pa Systems And Video Recording Are Available, And Data Projectors And Laptops Can Be Hired. Full Buffet Lunches Or Set Menus Are Included Based On Group Size, As Well As Tea Breaks And Consumables. Leisure Facilities: A Swimming Pool, Carefully Manicured Garden And Peaceful Lapa Area All Provide Corporate Travellers With Excellent Opportunities For Relaxation After A Busy Day. Verdict: What Makes Casa Toscana So Unique, Apart From The Perfectly Implemented And Unique Tuscan Theme, Is The Pride Put Into Every Detail By Its Staff And Management. From The Accommodation Requirements To The Chef’S Offer To Modify Any Dish As Required, Casa Toscana Is Highly Flexible And Eager To Please.

Leon Schnell