B | Africa
Created in honour of our President and Founder Beatrice Tollman
Bouchard Finlayson
Hermanus, Western Cape
A vineyard between heaven & earth
Cradled amid the hills of the Hemel-en-Aarde (Heaven and Earth) valley,
Bouchard Finlayson is widely acclaimed as one of South Africa’s leading boutique wine cellars.
With a terroir defined by both ancient soils and a cool maritime climate, the vineyards of Bouchard Finlayson are famous for producing award-winning
Pinot Noir, elegant Chardonnay and terroir-driven Sauvignon Blanc, while inspired blends showcase the depth of skill and innovation in our winemaking team.
The Bouchard Finlayson cellar is conveniently located a scenic 90 minutes’ drive from Cape Town, close to the world-famous whale-watching centre of Hermanus.
Malcolm Hendry
General Manager
malcolmrb@rchmail.comI have been with Red Carnation Hotels for over 20 years and my role as General Manager is one of the most satisfying jobs of my career. I have a team of over 160 employees, who are highly motivated and dedicated to delivering generous hospitality and passionate service. The wellbeing of our guests and teams is my highest priority and I look forward to warmly welcoming you to The Rubens at the Palace soon.
Vince Castronovo
Hotel Manager
vcastronovo@rchmail.comThe Rubens is often the location of anniversaries, birthdays, engagements as well as celebrations of special occasions. I play a key role in ensuring these events become lifelong memories. If your event is important to you, please write to me and I will make sure it is an unforgettable stay.
Hettie Spies
House Manager
hswart@rchmail.comAre you looking for a special table in the restaurant, or are you hosting a celebration? I will ensure that you and your guests have an unforgettable dining experience. We are more than happy to assist you in planning your cocktail party, engagement, and birthday celebrations. You can trust me to ensure all the important details of your large group party are taken care of.
Sarah Bristow
Head of UK Reservations
sbristow@rchmail.comI am delighted to lead a wonderful team in the UK, taking care of our guests' reservations. Let us know whether you will be celebrating your honeymoon, birthday, or wedding. It would be our pleasure to oversee your bedroom allocation and put in a special request prior to your arrival. We can also organise any additional extras you may like such as chocolates, champagne and strawberries, which would be waiting for you upon arrival. We will ensure that your stay will be one you fondly remember.
Johal Scott
Rooms Division Manager
jscott@rchmail.comI would love to greet you on arrival and show you around the hotel. It would also be my pleasure to assist you in checking if we have any upgrades available on the day. I can also help with last-minute birthday or anniversary surprises for a loved one or friend. I am the Director of Wellbeing at the hotel, on-hand to answer any questions with regards to cleaning and sanitisation procedures, physical distancing, and welfare measures.
Silviu Stan
Director of Bars and Lounge
sstan@rchmail.comIt is the little things that make the difference. We can be very flexible with our New York Bar menu. If you have dietary requirements, you can request amendments to our dishes. Also, if you have a preferred cocktail, it would be my pleasure to arrange my bar team to create this for you. We regularly host special guest experiences such as gin and whisky tastings and beer flight experiences. These are some of the ways we create the best guest experience.
Ben Kelliher
Executive Chef
bkelliher2@rchmail.comI began my culinary journey and discovered my passion for this great industry. I worked at some of London’s top hotels including The Chesterfield Mayfair, where my passion for food grew. I am pleased to be working at The Rubens at the Palace and Hotel 41 where we source fresh local seasonal produce from the country. My team and I can create a dining experience that you will fondly remember forever.
Sergio Gimeno
Director of Engineering
sgimeno@rchmail.comI can enhance your Sky television system, set up a Chrome Cast, or provide a DVD player for you if you have any favourite films to request. If you are travelling with children, I can set up a PlayStation with games. I can also arrange for a mini-fridge to be fitted pre-stay if you wish to store your own drinks, snacks or medication. Myself and my team can also assist with any queries regarding the state of the art in-room ventilation cooling and heating system.
Robert Lyall
Maitre d' - The English Grill
rlyall@rchmail.comMy dedicated team and I can suggest wine pairings for certain dishes, explain how your meal has been prepared and health information about the dish. If you would like to make any special requests for amendments to a dish, it would be our pleasure to arrange this. We can also provide full allergen menus and cater for your dietary requirements. Interested in our Dinner Series? Enquire with me directly and I will extend my personal invitation to our next event.
Mohan Senchuri
Curry Room Manager
msechuri@rchmail.comSome milestones in life are truly special and deserve that extra something for celebration. Please inform me in advance if you are joining us for a celebration. I can plan everything to your exact specifications, and you can sit back, relax, and simply enjoy every moment of your special meal.
Kristina Veselyte
Executive Housekeeper
kveselyte@rchmail.comPerhaps you are used to sleeping on a hard mattress, and that most mattresses are usually too soft for your preference? If you ask for a mattress topper in advance, I can ensure that this is fitted before you check-in. Please inform me about any allergies you have so I can ensure that your bedroom is prepared. We also have a special ‘pillow menu’, where you can select your favourite type of pillow.
