The Royal Portfolio: Her Majesty will please!

Some of the most luxurious and individual lodges and boutique hotels in South Africa operate under the name "The Royal Portfolio". "The perfect stay" for every guest is the top priority of owner Liz Biden, who has left her mark on all the hotels with her extraordinary design. CC author Claudia Bette-Wenngatz was able to see this for herself during her visit.

When Liz Biden turned 50, the entrepreneur sold her shares in a successful fashion company in order to enjoy her private life. That lasted exactly two days. Then she told her husband Phil that she wanted to turn the family lodge in Greater Kruger Park into a hotel. Because she had so much fun with design and wanted to share it with many other people. "I had no idea about the hotel business and didn't know what to expect." What began in 1999 with the opening of Royal Malewane Lodge, the start of a new life as a "hobby hotelier", is now one of the most successful and exclusive boutique hotel chains in the most extraordinary and beautiful places in South Africa: in the Thornybush Nature Reserve right next to the Kruger National Park, in Franschhoek in the Cape Winelands, in Hermanus right on the Atlantic Ocean and in Cape Town on the Waterfront. No two gems in the "royal portfolio" are the same.

The first stop on my discovery tour is Masiya's Camp, which only opened in June this year and has nothing to do with the usual safari aesthetic in beige-brown earth tones. Instead, I see pink tent roofs here. "Pink, inspired by Marrakech and the color of the African sand," explains Liz Biden, who didn't let anything or anyone dissuade her from her idea. Under these tents in the middle of the bush, she created an eclectic and elegant ambience with romantic curtains, floral or Riviera-style striped wall elements, custom-made Indian doors, vintage-inspired patterns and mirrors with surprising effects. She combined this with African craftsmanship and numerous objects from her private collection, which mostly comprises contemporary paintings by local artists.

"I always combine something old, something new and something surprisingly cheeky and fun," she explains her design concept.

Each of the six tented suites - all with heated floors and heated private pools - has its own theme with dominant colors: from feminine in pink to Asian in blue and red. There is also an elegant bar and a lounge with huge glass fronts overlooking the bush. It is a more than extraordinary environment that Biden has staged as a starting point for safari drives on the trail of the Big Five.
Masiya's Camp, named after South Africa's most famous, now deceased master tracker, who worked at Liz Biden's lodges, marks the start of my discovery of the Royal Collection. My further journey takes me from the bush of the Greater Kruger Park to an opulently designed manor house in the Cape Winelands, to Hermanus to a beach house directly on the Atlantic Ocean and finally to Cape Town to the breathtaking ambience of an art palace located in a historic grain silo at the foot of Table Mountain. Liz Biden and her husband own houses in all these places in South Africa, where they welcome guests from all over the world.

MASIYA'S CAMP Luxury in the Kruger National Park

It's no wonder that the Royal Portfolio now attracts many celebrities such as Uma Thurman, Richard Gere and Justin Bieber. Celebrity guests also include Elton John, who wrote in the foreword to Liz Biden's book "The perfect stay": "The Bidens have a unique talent for creating luxurious hotels - in iconically beautiful locations. But the essence of their success is their ability to create a sense of home and make their guests part of their extended family. What sets her Royal Portfolio apart is the incredible attention to detail and the wonderful staff. They too are considered family members - and they treat their guests the same way. The Bidens are true pioneers of experiential travel, where you can experience the best of South Africa."
Wise and true words from the mouth of Sir Elton, who is surely at least as excited as I am to see what Liz and Phil Biden are planning next. One thing can already be revealed: They are talking about more boutique hotels at Victoria Falls and in the Bahamas. Liz Biden's warehouse in Cape Town, where she stores her art treasures and purchases from all over the world for further use in her retreats, is certainly well stocked ...

KUNSTVOLL Biden collects works by local artists



POOL TREASURE Young elephants are considered curious - and extremely thirsty



BATHING IN THE BUSH All lodges are equipped with large bathrooms

YELLOW MELLOW As a guest of Liz Biden, you shouldn't be afraid of bold colors

1

ROYAL MALEWANE

THE NEW SAFARI LOOK

Not everyone has the privilege of owning a lodge in the African bush with its 40-strong guide and tracker team. And not everyone who has one enjoys sharing it with others. Liz and Phil Biden, however, did just that. In 1999, they decided to turn their family lodge in the game-rich, 14,000-hectare Thornybush Reserve into luxury accommodation for guests from all over the world. Without any experience in the hotel industry, but with a great deal of enthusiasm and, above all, with the magnificent design talent that Liz Biden had previously only been able to live out within the family circle. Thus Royal Malewane, named after a river in the reserve, was born.
Today, the Royal Malewane Collection in the Royal Portfolio includes four ultra-luxurious lodges: Malewane, Waterside, Farmstead and Masiya's Camp. Even more comfort and privacy are also offered in three private villas: African House, Waterside House and Farmhouse.

The bush becomes the stage

While Liz stages all these hideaways as highly decorative and yet comfortably habitable stages, her 40-strong guide and tracker team, who are among the most experienced in Africa, show guests the original life in the bush. Not only do leopards, lions, buffalo, rhinos and elephants appear here, but also surprises such as sundowner stops with cocktails, wine and snacks built into the game drive or romantic candlelight dinners around the campfire as well as stargazing in the scattered light-free firmament. After a game drive, anyone who watches the monkeys playing in the trees, enjoys a massage in the spa, watches kudus, zebras and impalas from the pool and is served gourmet menus composed by creative chefs will also feel very close to (safari) heaven.



Leopard slippers & favorite cocktails

An incredibly dedicated team fulfills wishes even before they are expressed - from the hot chocolate to wake up to the hot water bottle in the jeep on the first morning drive to the favourite cocktail that is waiting at the bar in the evening without being asked. There are also lovely details such as cuddly leopard slippers and original table decorations. So it's easy to understand why Liz Biden says: "I have designed all the Royal Malewane Lodges the way I like them and would like them to be during my stay."



Guides for the next generation

And because they not only want to share comfort with their guests, but also social commitment, the Bidens and their daughter Aly also support various projects to combat poaching, preserve biodiversity and support local schools and conservation projects through the Royal Portfolio Foundation. They also own a Conservation & Research Center in the bush and train young guides. One of them is Megan, who has been training for a year and says enthusiastically: "When Liz Biden is here, I can drive her through the bush." So there is no need to worry about the necessary female power in Royal Malewane.



ROYAL MALEWANE Sundowner in the savannah

2

BIRKENHEAD HOUSE HERMANUS

A feast for the eyes on the Atlantic

The word beach house alone makes me long for vacations, the deep blue sea, crashing waves, screeching seagulls, the smell of fresh mussels and a sundowner with a view of the glowing red evening sky. Birkenhead House in Hermanus has all this to offer - and much more. Birkenhead House was also a place of longing for Liz Biden, who spent many happy childhood vacations there.
When she heard that the hotel overlooking the ocean was for sale, she decided to buy it for her own family. Over twelve happy years followed, with many vacation memories in a house from whose terraces you can see the dolphins jumping and watch whales from July to December. Then two properties in the immediate vicinity came up for sale, and Liz decided to turn the entire area into a boutique hotel in 2002. "Our children were very indignant that we were taking their beach house away from them to turn it into a boutique hotel as a second project after our safari lodge. They had to book rooms with us from then on," says Liz Biden with a laugh.

Lived and loved hospitality in the family's former vacation home

All family members are now happy to be able to offer a very special kind of retreat in Birkenhead House. One with eleven suites, two pools, terraces with panoramic views and a living room with a fireplace for cozy evenings.
In addition, Biden's usual bold color combinations in the interiors, numerous pictures from the private painting collection, effectively staged with mirrors and matching cushions on white sofas. "I always do what feels right for me. That's why I chose a lot of white for Birkenhead, because it goes well with a beach house. Even if white sounds absolutely crazy for a hotel. I chose it anyway and just looked for coverings that are easy to wash." Liz Biden chose fresh green with purple or pink with red for the beach house white - contrasts that were initially viewed with suspicion even in her close environment, but always proved to be accurate and harmonious.
My suite is also tastefully and comfortably designed with many details. A dressing room has been added to the family's former bedroom and a spacious bathroom has been installed. Even the red coffee machine matches the red patterned carpet and the pink upholstered chair perfectly. From the bed, I look directly out over the sea.
The fine art of doing nothing - this beach house is a wonderful place to celebrate it: with a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot or Shiraz on the terrace, on a walk along the Cliff Path, a coastal path that runs right past the hotel, in the spa with an African rungu massage according to ancient Masai practice or collecting shells with the chef on the rocks just below the hotel. In addition to fresh seafood, Birkenhead House also serves other local specialties such as skilpadjies, a dish with lamb liver and caramelized onion marinade, as well as delicious desserts such as pears poached in rooibos and spices.
If you don't just want to enjoy passively, but also get active, the Fernkloof Nature Reserve is one of the ten best whale watching locations in the world right on the doorstep. From here, you can also observe the Big Five of the sea - whales, dolphins, sea lions, African penguins and sharks (the latter from an underwater cage, by the way).
What I remember most about Birkenhead House, however, is the feeling of always being in a private home and never actually being in a hotel. It's just a stone's throw from the restaurant to the pool on the terrace and from there just a small flight of stairs up to your own suite. That means home. Only for a while, of course, but it's worth every hour.

WHITE SAYING The non-color sets the tone at Birkenhead House.

3

LA RESIDENCE FRANSCHHOEK

Love rather maximum

La Residence is not only called that, it is also a relaxed ambience from the first to the last residence - in the truest sense of the word. Even the driveway to this property gives me the impression of arriving at a princely country estate. Then a small bouquet of roses and a glass of red wine to welcome me: wow, who wouldn't feel welcome here? As a special surprise, a little later I find a photo that was taken of me during the welcome on the dessert table in my suite, with the greeting "We are celebrating you".
Yes, you really do feel celebrated here as a guest. Magnificent chandeliers, a baroque sumptuous bed, valuable carpets and crystal mirrors as well as a stately bathroom the size of a dance hall make my suite a luxury retreat. In addition, lush floral arrangements, antique furniture, handmade wallpaper, boldly selected materials and colors as well as numerous art objects and paintings in the lounge and restaurant create a sumptuous yet relaxed ambience that impresses and surprises from the first to the last moment of your stay.



Everything reflects the signature style of owner and designer Liz Biden, who has managed to create a familiar "home away from home" in a baroque setting. Wherever I look: Every sight resembles a painting in its beauty.
"Minimalism is not my thing," says the creator of this hideaway in the vineyards. And indeed, La Residence is opulence par excellence - and yet it is not a showcase, but a cozy and comfortably elegant house with just 16 suites. Since the end of last year, the newly opened Franschhoek House with its own vineyard, olive, lemon and orange trees, herb and vegetable garden, the miniature horses Twist and Tango and seven springboks in their own enclosure has also been part of the twelve-hectare estate.
From the teahouse in the park, I look out over jacaranda trees once donated by regular guest Elton John, watch the storks on the roof and wild peacocks strutting trustingly across the lawn.
The feeling of being at home here is also due to the warmth of the staff, because every employee seems to feel just as comfortable as the guests. "Don't I have a great office?" says waiter Mario, beaming, as he serves me tea on the stylishly decorated terrace and points to the vineyards and surrounding mountain ranges, which are illuminated by the setting sun.

Every guest should feel part of the large Royal Portfolio family

La Residence in Franschhoek, probably the most romantic and peaceful place in the so-called Cape Winelands, was also once intended to be the Biden family residence before Liz Biden incorporated it into her Royal Portfolio. The day begins here with breakfast in the open air. The day then continues with a visit to the spa, relaxing by the pool, a trip to the library, a walk through the park and lunch in the garden. There are also excursions to world-famous wine estates or shopping in the boutiques and galleries of Franschhoek, where there is a free transfer. In the evening, the Italian pianist Alfio, a long-time friend of the house, plays Liz Biden's sister's grand piano for an aperitif.
For dinner, Edward Morton, General Manager at La Residence for many years and now a close confidant of the Bidens and ambassador for the entire Royal portfolio, has invited me to the Chef's Table.
On the menu - sealed with a wax seal - are artichokes, truffle peas, swordfish with zucchini, fennel and saffron, followed by braised beef cheeks with broccoli and gnocchi and a gourmet version of malva, the traditional South African pudding with orange sorbet and white chocolate. This is accompanied by excellent wines, many of which come from the region. Edward explains that he often accompanies Liz Biden on her shopping trips to India or Morocco and acts as an ambassador for the guests of the Royal Portfolio Collection.
And he reveals: "Every house in the Royal Portfolio bears Liz's signature. Her guests should feel like part of the family, and our many regular guests show that she has succeeded."
As the staff are ready to bid me a warm farewell the next morning and wave to me once again, I enjoy the feeling that I am now part of the Royal Portfolio family.

FIRE & FLAME for the unmistakable look of La Residencia

4

THE SILO KAPSTADT

Skyline icon and temple of art

A hotel in her hometown was the perfect choice for the Cape Town native. Cape Town native Liz Biden's heart's desire, which she had to wait a very long time to fulfill. After the internationally recognized success of her lodges in the African bush, on the coast of Hermanus and in Franschhoek in the wine country, it was not easy to find the right place in the metropolis of millions with its numerous luxury hotels.
With the Silo, we hit the bull's eye, which is so different from all the other hotels in the Royal portfolio and yet fits in perfectly. While the Bidens' existing hotels were created from vacation homes according to their own plans, the iconic building of a historic grain silo from 1921 offered a unique opportunity to create something very special.
With six storeys directly above the MOCAA, the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa, it has been one of Cape Town's architectural landmarks since 2017, right on the famous Victoria & Alfred Waterfront.

As soon as I enter the lobby and see the monumental works of art, I realize that the passionate collector Liz Biden has found a very special place for her ideas here.
"When we got the chance to open a hotel in this historic grain silo, it was an exciting challenge," she says. "I tried to contrast the austere exterior of the building with warm, vibrant fabrics, exciting ornaments and, above all, contemporary art. Art is always an important part of all our homes. But in the Silo, I have given it a very special setting with over 300 contemporary works by African artists from our own collection. After all, art really brings any room to life."

On tour with the art concierge

As in all the hotels in the Royal Portfolio, none of the 28 rooms at The Silo Hotel are the same. What makes the Cape Town boutique hotel so spectacular, apart from the imaginative and colorful design - including handmade fabrics, furniture and tableware from local potteries - is also the architecture by industrial designer Thomas Heatherwick from London. It turns my bedroom and, above all, my bathroom with its large, free-standing bath into a total work of art. The view of the Cape Town skyline, including Table Mountain, alone makes you not want to leave this suite - if it weren't for the two great restaurants The Granary Café and The Willaston Bar and, above all, the open-air roof terrace with pool as an unbeatable location for a sundowner.
Art concierge Michael, who previously worked at the MOCAA museum, has been showing hotel guests the hotel's own collection of paintings in great detail and with great knowledge of art for two years. He takes me to the basement, where Liz Biden has set up her own gallery right next to the underground parking garage. The Vault, with its temporary exhibitions of young African artists, is an insider tip among Cape Town's galleries.

Blue-green leather as inspiration for the Willaston Bar

Liz Biden has also left her unmistakable mark on The Silo. "I start from the premise that every room has to be different. The subsequent design process is then set in motion by something as random as a piece of fabric, a carpet or a painting. At The Silo in Willaston Bar, that was a piece of blue-green Italian leather to cover the bar stools." If you want to know what Liz Biden herself likes to wear, the boutique has a collection of colorful dresses and accessories that rivals the originality of Cape Town's high-end stores. There are also accessories that you will want to take home with you, as a small part of the Royal Portfolio, in which classic glamor and modern comfort come together in an unbeatable combination thanks to Liz Biden's talent.

MUSEUMSREIF The Silo occupies the top six floors of an old grain warehouse that has been transformed into Africa's premier contemporary art museum.

LIZ BIDEN IN INTERVIEW

I'm wild about colors

Connoisseur Circle: You founded The Royal Portfolio at the age of 50, after a career in the fashion industry. What inspired you to make this change?
Biden: When I decided to retire, I was at a point where I felt I had accomplished everything I needed and wanted. I had never planned to go into the hotel business, but I suddenly had a lot of time on my hands. Together with my husband, I came up with the idea of sharing our vacation homes in strategic locations in South Africa. For example, we didn't want to dust the cobwebs in our safari lodge every time we went there, so we converted it into a luxury lodge. And so Royal Malewane was born in 1999. In 2002, Birkenhead House and La Residence in Franschhoek were added - the Royal portfolio was born.

A WARM WELCOME Personal service is always part of the Royal Portfolio - whether in the bush, by the sea, in the vineyards or in the middle of the city.



How easy or difficult was it to switch to a new industry?
It started as an idea and on a whim. I didn't even think about it and just jumped in. The transition was easy and difficult at the same time. I never trained as an interior architect, but I have always loved decorating, as well as traveling. When we started, I thought to myself: what would I like? Then we just put all these things together. That's how Royal Malewane was born.
For the first ten years, I did everything from reservations to sales and marketing. My husband Phil was still very involved in his own financial business at the time, but later he joined along with our son Matt and daughter Aly, which took the pressure off me. Working with the family gives me a wonderful feeling.

FAMILY BAND Liz Biden with her husband Phil and their children and grandchildren



When you look at your camps and hotels, which one do you like best and what makes them different?
No matter how you are with children - there is none that I prefer, I love them all. Our safari lodges are different, traditional like Royal Malewane, colorful and casual like Waterside, family-intimate for friends and family like Farmstead, a bit crazy and bold like Farmstead House, Africa House or now Masiya's Camp ...

So you're a brave person?
I don't know, I'm actually quite conservative, I don't smoke and I don't drink, but I'm crazy about colors.

Your flair for color and shape combinations is extraordinary and leads to extraordinary results. What does the concept look like?
I just do it because I love it. Nothing feels like a job. I just have a lot of fun. I love buying furniture and art, putting everything together. I have a rule: always combine something old, something new and something cheeky or fun. I always get excited when I visit our hotels, see the people who work there and the guests we can make happy in our hotels.

Your husband has always supported you, you have known each other since your school days. What is so special about your partnership of over 50 years?
We are very different, but we both respect each other's opinions. That's probably the most important thing. And we discuss a lot with each other. We complement each other. He likes to draw plans, I work with my eyes.

I never want to cut back. I just do what I enjoy doing.

You are very caring, not only towards your own family, but also towards your employees, many of whom you have supported in their development ...
I grew up in a family with four children. With lots of love and support. I pass that on. Our staff are definitely part of our family.

What are you most proud of?
My three children. They are all happily married, have families of their own and are simply wonderful people. And they are my greatest asset. My son is CEO of our company, my daughter Aly runs the Foundation and our social projects.
Like me, she and our eldest granddaughter are very interested in design. My eldest daughter, a successful banker, has just moved with her family from London to Cape Town. Now we are all there together, which is wonderful!

Do you have free time, if so for what?
In the hospitality industry, you have a 7-day/24-hour day. But when I'm not traveling and working, I love meeting friends and have been playing bridge since I started at 16.

You are a big art collector. Do you have a favorite painting?
It's always the last thing I bought.

You're 76 now, can you imagine cutting back?
No, I never want to retire. I'll just keep doing what I enjoy so much.

What makes you happiest?
When I visit our hotels or lodges and see that the guests like it there. I am very happy that we were able to share our private residences with others, not just live in them sometimes and then lock them up. My children weren't so happy about it, and my husband wasn't always happy either. He has said that he will nail down his bed in our house in Cape Town so that I don't turn it into a hotel. I respect that, of course. But who knows ...