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Overview
Now a golf estate on a par with the best in the world, Fancourt's history is that of a family home that grew and grew …
Henry Fancourt White built a country house in Blanco, at the foot of the Outeniqua Mountains, in the early days of South Africa's expansion, the days of ox-wagons, pioneers and impassable mountain ranges.
The building of Blanco House in the style of a Cotswold Mansion proceeded slowly from 1859. Henry, a wealthy man at the time, suffered a major financial setback in 1860 and died soon after. Blanco House was put up for auction in 1857: "a thatched-roof double-storey building with ten airy rooms, kitchen, pantry, outbuildings and servants' rooms".
The property was subsequently owned by Henri de Maraliac, Robert Drummond and M J Adams, the latter re-naming it Homewood in 1879. At a public auction in 1903 Homewood was sold to Ernest Montagu White who re-named the house Fancourt in memory of his father - Henry Fancourt White.
Ernest, or Montagu as he was known, spent the English winters at Fancourt. He made extensive improvements to the house using indigenous timber from forests in the area. Always immaculately dressed - a Panama hat and a flower in his buttonhole being his trademark - Montagu supervised his estate from a white-canopied cart drawn by a red ox whilst he painted watercolours, knotted rugs and lived the life of a country gentleman.
Sadly, in 1916 Montagu, his sister and a friend succumbed to mushroom poisoning after enjoying a dinner of wild mushrooms picked by Montagu earlier in the day. The house stood empty for two years after the tragedy. It was said, however, that the deceased Montagu and Elizabeth continued to visit their much-loved home!
Rumours of ghosts did not deter Rubin Greer from purchasing Fancourt in 1918. He and his family, which included four daughters, brought music and laughter back to Fancourt. Legend has it that performance of the band members at their dances depended on the liquid refreshment they consumed. Too little and they refused to play, too much and they were unable to play!
A number of owners followed, and a century after Henry Fancourt White built his home it fell into disrepair due to neglect. Dr Krynauw bought Fancourt in 1960 and through his skill and excellent taste, the property became a symbol of high-class living once again.
In 1969 Fancourt was sold to a property developer who went into liquidation soon after. Andre and Helene Pieterse became the new owners and in 1987 they decided to transform their country house into an hotel and golf estate and on 23 March 1989, the Fancourt Hotel opened in grand style.
By July 1993, however, Fancourt was on the market once again. In 1994 a German couple, Hasso and Sabine Plattner, bought the estate out of liquidation. Expansion and development proceeded at an unprecedented pace, and when the present becomes history it will be said that Fancourt never stopped growing.
The heart of Fancourt is now the modern clubhouse, but the old Manor House will always hold its soul. When you visit the estate spend time in the stillness of the reading room, appreciate the gardens and walk along the quiet passages. Imagine life as it was then, with Panama hats and buttonholes, grand pianos, campher-wood kists, antique silver and wild mushroom dinners. Imagine you're not alone…
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| Location and
Directions |
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PO Box 2266 George, Western Cape 6530
Directions:
TURN LEFT AT EXIT.
CROSS INTERSECT.
TRAVEL 6 KM.
HOTEL ON THE RIGHT.
PLEASE CONTACT THE PROPERTY FOR MORE DETAILED DIRECTIONS.
Transportation:
TAXIS AVAILABLE AT OUR TOWN AIRPORT. APPROX COST 50 ZAR. HOTEL SHUTTLE IS AVAILABLE. TO RESERVE SHUTTLE SERVICE ADVISE FLIGHT NUMBER AND ARRIVAL TIME. COST PER PERSON 50 ZAR. HOTEL PROVIDES SHUTTLE TO TOWN. MUST BE PREBOOKED. HOTEL SHUTTLE CHARGED TO ROOM.
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Amenities &
Activities
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Services
FREE BREAKFAST
FREE PARKING
BANKING SERVICE
BABYSITTING
BELLMAN/SERVICES
BREAKFAST INCLUDED
BUSINESS CENTER/SERVICE
CATERING SERVICES
CHILDREN ACTIVITIES
CONCIERGE
CURRENCY EXCHANGE
DOORMAN
DRY CLEANING
BUSINESS CENTER FAX
GIFT CERTIFICATE
LAUNDRY
LUGGAGE STORAGE
MOVIES IN ROOM
MULTI LINGUAL STAFF
PARKING
PHOTOCOPY SERVICE
POSTAL AND PARCEL SERVICE
SECRETARIAL SERVICES
SECURITY ESCORT
SHUTTLE SERVICE
SIGHTSEEING ARRANGEMENTS
TEA SERVICES
TRANSLATION SERVICE
AIRPORT TRANSPORTATION
OFF SITE
CAR RENTAL SERVICES
DOCTOR ON CALL
RELIGIOUS SERVICES
VALET SERVICE
BUSINESS SERVICES
MEETING ROOMS/PHOTO COPIER/FACSIMILE MACHINE. SECRETARIAL
SERVICES AND TRANSLATION SERVICES AVAILABLE ON REQUEST.
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Facilities
BANQUET FACILITIES
BOUTIQUES
CONFERENCE/MEETING FACILITIES
CONNECTING ROOMS
FIRE ALARMS
FITNESS CENTER
FLORIST
GAME ROOM
GIFT SHOP
GOLF
ICE MACHINES
INTERNET
WHIRLPOOL/JACUZZI
JOGGING TRACK/TRAIL
LOUNGE/ENTERTAINMENT
NEWS STAND/NEWSPAPER
INDOOR POOL
OUTDOOR POOL
PROSHOPS TENNIS/GOLF
RESTAURANTS
SAUNA
SPA
TENNIS FACILITIES
FACILITIES FOR PHYSICALLY
CHALLENGED
OFF SITE
BEACH
BEACH FRONT PROPERTY
CASINO
DRUG STORE/CHEMIST/PHARMACY
MEDICAL
SPA/HEALTH CLUB
FULL EQUIPPED GYMNASIUM. NO CHARGE TO HOTEL GUESTS. EQUIPMENT INCLUDES STAIRMASTER/TREADMILL/STATIONARY BIKES AND FREE WEIGHTS. HOURS OF OPERATION ARE 0500 - 2100. NOT AVAILABLE TO CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 18. FULL TIME QUALIFIED INSTRUCTOR. SPA FACILITIES - INCLUDE SAUNA/STEAM ROOM/TEPADARIUM/ROMAN BATHS AND JACUZZI. NO CHARGE TO HOTEL GUESTS. FANCOURT SPA - FLOATATION POOL AND TEN TREATMENT ROOM. HOURS OF OPERATION 0800 - 1900. RESERVATIONS FOR TREATMENTS ESSENTIAL.
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| Policies |
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| PLEASE CANCEL 30 DAYS PRIOR TO ARRIVAL TO AVOID BILLING.
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