With the voluminous boot of the S-Class packed with enough supplies to sustain us for a week, we set off from Cape Town to Herolds Bay, or more precisely, Oubaai House in the lush Oubaai Golf Estate.
Cocooned in the luxury of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, and thrilled at the prospect of a week of grand touring in arguably the ultimate luxury car – and an exquisite home base from which to explore parts of the Garden Route – we pointed the Benz star towards Sir Lowry’s Pass and engaged the autopilot for a few hours of luxury gliding. Well, it’s not quite an autopilot system, but it comes close. Mercedes-Benz calls it Distronic Plus, which is German engineering speak for the advanced adaptive cruise control system that automatically accelerates, brakes, and keeps the vehicle at a safe distance from the vehicle in front of it, while Steering Assist prevents the vehicle from venturing outside of its lane by keeping the car centred in the lane, even through sweeping bends. It’s a modern marvel to behold and an absolute pleasure to use on all roads, especially on highways.
TREDICI TRADITION
Keeping to our family tradition, In Swellendam, more or less halfway between Cape Town and Herolds Bay, we pulled up to Tredici for a sumptuous brunch.
Tredici is Italian for ‘Baker’s Dozen’ – a tradition dating back to the 13th century when bakers would illustrate their honesty by adding one extra loaf to a dozen ordered. Tredici honours this tradition, not necessarily by the number of loaves in a baker’s dozen, but by ensuring that every visit leaves you with a sense of having received more than expected, from the architecture and interior, inspired by local Cape Dutch elements combined with the best of chic French and warm Italian styles, to the homely, artisan baking, freshly prepared, handmade delicacies, and a vast array of intriguing products to enhance your home kitchen and dining experience.
LUXURY GLIDING
Back on the N2, the 3.0-litre turbodiesel (210 kW / 600 Nm) devoured the asphalt, and on the single carriageway, provided for easy overtaking of slower traffic often encountered on this part of the N2.
Representing the pinnacle of luxury and sophistication in the Mercedes-Benz brand, the seventh-generation S-Class model is a testament to the automaker’s relentless pursuit of excellence, featuring the latest cutting-edge technology and luxurious design elements.
The sedan’s design exudes elegance and balance, with perfect proportions that include a short front overhang, a long wheelbase, a balanced rear overhang, and a wide track with flush-mounted wheels.
At the heart of the S-Class are the 12.8” OLED central display and the 12.3” digital driver display, which provide clear and detailed information to the driver. The second generation of the MBUX system offers even greater digital capabilities and intelligence, with brilliant displays on up to five large screens, some utilizing OLED technology. The voice assistant, “Hey Mercedes,” engages in more dialogue and can perform certain actions without the activation keyword.
The interior of the S-Class exemplifies luxury and modern design. It provides a ‘third place’ experience, offering a comfortable and relaxed environment between home and work. The interior dimensions have been improved for enhanced passenger comfort, and the sense of space is expanded with interior architecture and yacht design elements. Interactive interior lighting and integrated dynamic ambient lighting create a soothing atmosphere.
Passengers in the rear are treated to a tailored experience with up to three touchscreens and advanced control options like MBUX Interior Assist and the voice control assistant “Hey Mercedes.” The Energizing Coach program even suggests fitness or wellness programmes for passengers.
OUBAAI HOUSE
The S-Class makes for silent, comfortable, and truly luxurious cruising in a way that makes the ride feel more like gliding than driving. We made good time and pulled up to our destination relaxed and ready for more relaxation in an environment that matches the luxury of the S-Class.
Oubaai House by Raw Africa Boutique Collection enjoys a location in the private Oubaai Golf Estate in Herolds Bay, on the outskirts of George and thus within easy driving distance of the Garden Route, Outeniqua Pass, Botlierskop Private Game Reserve, and the Lakes Area National Park. Both George Airport and Herolds Bay Beach are located less than five kilometres from the resort.
The luxury villa is perched on the edge of a gorge high above the Gwaing River that snakes through the valley beneath, overlooking the indigenous forest and the Outeniqua mountains to the north. The villa has three separate bedrooms, three bathrooms, a fully equipped kitchen with a dining area and oven, and a living room with a flat-screen TV and double garage, which proved to be a welcoming home to our luxury Merc. In addition to an outdoor pool, the villa also has a grill on the deck, ideal for a typical South African braai under the stars. A slow-combustion fireplace for use in winter makes this gem perfect for any season.
The resort has several outstanding facilities, such as a modern clubhouse with beautiful views, a golf driving range and, of course, the magnificent Oubaai golf course. Herolds Bay boasts a splendid beach that has remained a favourite among the locals due to its sheltered location. The main attractions include surfing, fishing, swimming, and a number of excellent restaurants.
LAST WORD
Spending a week in this part of the world is like an exercise in time warping, where it feels like time is both standing still and flying past in the blink of an eye. Making the most of our time, each day, we ventured in a different direction, exploring as much as possible of an area that quickly induces sensory overload. Highlights included day trips to the Outeniqua Pass, the Smokkelhuis Kombuis in Wilderness, the historic Portland Manor outside Knysna, the quaint seaside villages of Victoria Bay and Buffelsbaai, as well as Redberry Farm and Elvis Brew in George, just a stone’s throw from Oubaai Golf Estate.
With its advanced technology, exceptional safety features, and exquisite design, the S-Class got us to and from each destination in supreme comfort and style. After a week and several thousand kilometres in the Mercedes-Benz S 350d L, we agree that this car sets a new standard for excellence that offers a truly exceptional driving experience.
Report & Images © WILHELM LOOTS
