South Africa's Fancourt Opens Family Leisure Centre

This state-of-the-art new facility has been carefully designed to cater for the whole family. On the bottom floor is the new high-tech gymnasium, studio, changing rooms, sauna and Kidz indoor heated pool. The Fancourt Kidz Club, trendy Teen Lounge (which will also be used at times as a Mum's lounge) and cinema will be on the top floor. There is also a new outdoor swimming pool and Kidz Outdoor area at the centre.

Fancourt's freshly branded Kids Club “Fancourt Kidz” started running at the end of September 2012, with sister club “Golf Kidz” following shortly. Fancourt have also produced a new Kidz Club activity book that not only gives them something fun to do but highlights some of the many outdoor activities they can do on the Fancourt Estate or within a 50km radius - with assistance from their favourite Kidz co-ordinator.

The Fancourt Kidz Club offers fully-supervised fun activities for children aged 3 - 10 years, including arts and crafts, nature walks and board games. The Kidz Club staff members are qualified, experienced and have CPR training. This area also has an indoor jungle gym and various children's toys to keep children amused. During the school holidays an hourly programme of events is set up for the children participating in the Fancourt Kidz Club. This facility opens at 8am and closes at 4.30pm, with lunch being served between 12pm and 1pm. Children under the age of 3 years must be accompanied by an adult/babysitter. Parents can hire a babysitter from Fancourt to watch their babies or toddlers should they wish to have a break to enjoy some of the resort's facilities.

There is certainly no shortage of things to do at Fancourt and the resort recommends families “Stay and Play” for at least seven to ten nights. The central location on the Garden Route means families can either stay on the resort and enjoy the many activities and facilities on offer - or take day trips from the resort to the numerous tourist attractions within easy driving distance – from exploring the Cango Caves, to sailing out to the Knysna Heads, enjoying the sunshine at trendy Plettenberg Bay or exploring some of the newly emerging wine estates on the Garden Route.

There are lots of opportunities to interact with wildlife on the Garden Route (without the fear of malaria) such as a visit to the monkey rehabilitation Park Monkeyland, the rare opportunity to interact with elephants around the Knysna Elephant Park, to ride Ostriches in Oudtshoorn and watch whales and dolphins surfing the ocean from boat trips.

There are two fantastic sandy beaches a short 15 minute drive away from Fancourt at Heralds Bay and Victoria Bay, with shuttles available for families who enjoy a little beach time.

Fancourt offers fantastic two-bedroom suites designed specifically for families, with a separate lounge and dining area. These are priced at around R4000 (£280) per night. The one-bedroom suites with separate lounge areas are also spacious enough to allow for one or even two small children to share with their parents on roll out beds at no extra cost, which is a big saving for young families at around R3000 (£210) per night. Off peak rates run from April to September, including the UK summer holidays. Rates go up to R4200 (£292) for one-bedroom suites or R5700 (£400) for two-bedroom suites in high season. Luxury rooms are smaller, and for couples only, with room rates starting from R2500 (£175) to R3200 (£225) per night. All rates include breakfast.

The Fancourt resort is over 600 hectares of spectacular space, completely fenced and enclosed so families can rest assured they can explore the leisure trails (ranging from 2km to 5.5km and even 10km routes) and play safely - be it on hiking trails, bicycles, or even golf buggies. Facilities include four tennis courts, volleyball, indoor heated and outdoor swimming pools at the new leisure centre, and Jacuzzis. With supervised games and crafts to keep the kids entertained, mom and dad can enjoy a well -deserved game of golf or spa treatment. Guests can hire bicycles, swimming equipment & fishing equipment on site.

The La Cantina restaurant at Fancourt is fabulous for families and children can even make their own pizzas in a separate section of the restaurant.

If parents want a break from the children they can enjoy the Roman Baths at the Fancourt Spa, which do not allow children under 16 years. The Manor House at Fancourt also has a private pool exclusively for Manor House guests.

For more information, please visit www.fancourt.com

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