Aquila Private Game Reserve and Spa is an exquisite 4-star resort located a couple of hours away from Cape Town - the capital city of South Africa. The resort has been accredited with a rating of 5 by CrescentRating based on the level of Muslim-friendly facilities that are available to guests - such as Halal food options and prayer facilities.
The CrescentRating system provides a rating for hotels based on their overall Halal-friendliness, with one being the lowest rating and seven being the highest rating. Aquila Private Game Reserve and Spa is also an excellent family-friendly resort and is an excellent accommodation option to consider when planning a trip to South Africa.
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Accommodations at Aquila Private Game Reserve and Spa include Lodges that comprise Standard Lodges, Family Lodges and Premier Lodges; as well as Cottages that comprise Karoo Cottages, Family Cottages, and Premier Cottages;
Standard Lodge Rooms are great for a basic overnight stay and ideally cater to budget-conscious travelers who seek a comfortable stay. As evident by its name, Family Lodge Rooms are a good option for families or a group of friends who are traveling together, offering ample privacy and safety. The more spacious Premier Lodge Rooms offer incredible views of the resort and feature the finest interiors and amenities for a truly remarkable experience, with each abode offering an incredible stay.
Karoo Cottages are ideal for an overnight safari experience, while the semi-detached Family Cottages provide an intimate safari experience for the whole family. Premier Cottages comprise units that are privately positioned on the hillside, providing a one-of-a-kind Karoo overnight safari experience.
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Prayer facilities at Aquila Private Game Reserve and Spa are also available for guests in a designated prayer room, with a divider that separates the male and female areas. The designated prayer space is equipped with a basin and ablution-friendly services. Prayer facilities, seating for the elderly, and Qur'an are made available as well. Prayer direction are also marked in the resort’s units for guests who prefer to pray in the privacy of their own room. Prayer mats are also available in rooms and for prayer timetables, resort staff is at hand to provide assistance with downloading the appropriate app to use.
Guests may also visit some of the nearby mosques in the area for prayers. A list of nearby mosques can be provided by staff on request - along with details on how to get there and other sightseeing opportunities in the area. The nearest mosque is located approximately 12km from the resort and is known as Touwsriver Islamic Society - Masjidus Salaam. Details of the mosque are as follows:
Touwsriver Islamic Society - Masjidus Salaam (12.2km from the private game reserve)
Address: 13 DU Plessie Street, Touws River 6880, Western Cape, South Africa
Contact No.: +27 23 358 1120
Other mosques in Cape Town include Auwal Mosque, Nurul Islam Mosque, Palm Tree Mosque, and Queen Victoria Mosque.
Click here for a complete directory of mosques in Cape Town
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Aquila Private Game Reserve and Spa also offers guests Halal dining options. The resort houses a restaurant that has been assured as Halal by the management. The triple-volume Aquila Overnight Restaurant can seat up to 300 diners at a time and provides the perfect setting for extensive buffet-style meals that are served, whilst catering to various dietary requirements upon request. Though the resort does offer bar services, the restaurant does not serve pork or non-Halal ingredients and there is no alcohol used in food preparation. All food suppliers have Halal certification.
Additionally, the resort is able to serve Halal breakfast and also arrange Halal banquets upon request. All snacks and drinks in the room and minibar are Halal and the resort can also provide Halal room service. Vegetarian dish options and Kosher meals can also be provided on request.
During Ramadan, a number of facilities are provided to guests. Halal Iftar & Suhoor can be arranged on request, to ensure that guests are able to plan their meals easily during Ramadan, The hotel staff also are more than accommodating in arranging for guests to be taken to nearby mosques for Taraweeh prayers and Eid prayers.
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In terms of non-Halal activities, the resort does not house a discotheque and there are no adult TV channels in rooms. Aquila Private Game Reserve and Spa is also not part of a gambling resort.
Other Muslim-friendly services and facilities that are available for guests include resort staff who have been trained on the requirements of Muslim guests. Room toilets are fitted with a bidet for sanitary facilities and female room attendants are also available. A stewardess is also available to attend to female guests upon request.
Plenty of other facilities are offered to guests. The Aquila Children's Entertainment area features both an indoor and outdoor area with a range of fun-filled activities to keep toddlers to pre-teens busy. A mini-golf course, a sandpit, and a wooden playground are available outdoors, for children to utilize.
The Aquila Infinity Pool stretches across a length of 35 meters and provides ample decking for guests who wish to lounge under the African sun. It also features a rim-flow and is located right next to the resort's restaurant.
With regard to meeting facilities, Aquila Private Game Reserve and Spa provides a state-of-the-art conference center with an attached buffet area. The venue is capable of accommodating up to 92 people and provides business travelers ample privacy and space to conduct their business activities from the resort.
A boutique-style curio shop is available at the resort, located close to the reception, offering a vast array of African souvenirs for sale. Aquila Curio Shop also offers a number of locally-manufactured items as well as Aquila branded apparel. Guests may shop for daily necessities such as sunblock or batteries - which are available for sale.
Recognizing the importance of catering to religious needs and safe space for guests' worship activities, Aquila Private Game Reserve and Spa are one of the top pick for a unique experience in an excellent resort. Providing comfortable prayer facilities, halal-assured food, and halal-friendly facilities, the resort are recognized for its outstanding commitment in creating a welcoming environment for Muslims around the globe. For its outstanding commitment and muslim-friendly services, Aquila Private Game Reserve and Spa are then awarded as the Best Muslim-Friendly Game Reserve during the Halal In Travel Awards 2023 by CrescentRating.
Interested in staying the night at Aquila Private Game Reserve and Spa? Further details and bookings can be found here!
