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Great ideas for your year-end function!

Posted by Idle Winds on Sep 24, 2018 in Blog | 0 comments

Spring is here and we’re already looking forward to the summer festive season, and that means one thing – end-of-year parties! If you’re planning a function for your company, here are some ideas to inspire you, from our year-end function venue near Pretoria. Karaoke: There’s nothing like standing up and letting loose with the microphone to create a bonding experience with your team! According to the University of Oxford, singing together is more than just fun – it’s more effective at bringing people together than any other activity they tested. With a disco theme and a simple karaoke machine, your party is sure to be a win. Get active: Serotonin, the happy hormone, is released during exercise – and if your company is on a health kick, then getting active can be a fun year-end experience! There are plenty of activities suited to all levels of fitness, from treetop and nature walks to yoga and paintball. After a day out in the countryside, treat your employees to a fabulous local lunch or dinner experience to round it all off. Las Vegas extravaganza: Recreate the excitement and glamour of a night out in Las Vegas by setting up your own casino! Decorate your venue to match the theme and ask guests to dress in black tie formals for extra atmosphere and hire a singer or band for entertainment! This is the perfect theme if you are having an event that’s just for the adults. Picnic: Picnics are the best way to enjoy our incredible weather and the beauty of the outdoors – and they’re ideal for less formal year-end parties. They offer a lot of flexibility too, making them great for family-friendly events where you can invite entertainers to add to the fun. Luxury picnic baskets filled with goodies are a great gift that your employees are sure to enjoy! Please also remember to take the weather into account for a company picnic and ensure that your venue can provide you with an indoor space in the event of a rainy day. Choose the perfect year-end function venue for your corporate event At Idle Winds, we offer our clients a wide range of function venues and services to ensure that their year-end events are a success! With a dedicated team, experienced staff and a beautiful scenic location just 14kms from Fourways, we’re the ideal venue for corporate functions. In addition to our function venues, we also offer clients the use of comfortable on-site accommodation and our award-winning restaurant. For more information about our year-end function venue near Pretoria or how our team can assist you with this important occasion, please contact us...

Looking for a function venue? Find your perfect match!

Posted by Idle Winds on Sep 3, 2018 in Corporate Functions | 0 comments

Finding the perfect venue for your function is about more than renting a roof over your head – it’s about finding a partner who offers the services and space to make your event a success. Here’s what to look for to find a high-quality function venue: Capacity: Whether you’re hosting a year-end function for your entire company and their families or a small get-together to celebrate a milestone birthday, your venue needs to have a space that suits the size of your party. Too big and your guests will be lost inside it, too small and everyone will be stepping on each other’s toes. Location: From a great view to an easy travel distance, the location of your venue is a very important factor. In addition to having a short travel time for your guests, there needs to be sufficiently secure parking as well as a wow-factor in terms of the gardens or view. Event space suitability: The function venue has to be suited to the type of event you are hosting as well as the needs of your guests. For example, you may require a family-friendly venue, an outdoor space for an informal picnic or braai, or wheelchair access for guests. Services: The type of services offered will change from venue to venue, so be sure to get all the information you need directly from the venue itself. Some venues offer a range of catering options (both formal and informal, activities (including teambuilding activities) and additional services like set-up and take-down services. Some venues are happy to accommodate additional service providers (for example, DJs or kids entertainment providers) while others are not. Event management: The best function venues will be able to help you plan and deliver a wonderful event through their in-house event management team. This team is a great resource who can answer any of your questions, help manage your event and go the extra mile to make it truly memorable. Function venues for team building, birthdays, year-end functions and more! At Idle Winds, we know just how important it is that every detail is correct for your event and that everything goes smoothly. From our experienced chefs and wait staff to our event planners who will help coordinate and organise your party, our team will deliver everything you need to enjoy such a special occasion. If you have an end-of-year party or special celebration coming up, we’d like to encourage you to visit our venue, explore your options and speak to our helpful and friendly staff about our function packages. Located just 14kms from Fourways, we’re just a short trip from the city – but you’ll feel a world away! For more information on our function venue, please don’t hesitate to contact us...

How to Get Your Team Re-Energized and Avoid the Mid-Year Slump

Posted by Idle Winds on Jul 16, 2018 in Blog, Team Building | 0 comments

We’re halfway through the year, it’s cold outside and everyone’s all been working hard – it’s no surprise that your team is looking a little tired and worn out! Here are some tips from the specialists at our teambuilding venue near Pretoria on how a fun teambuilding event will help your employees get their mojo back. The Benefits of Teambuilding Selling the idea of a teambuilding event can be a challenge – but as soon as you look at the benefits, you can see that this is a business must-have, not a perk. These benefits include: Increasing morale Boosting creative juices and thinking outside the box Improving procedures, processes and communication in the workplace Fostering productive relationships with new and established team members Help in the development of specific skills needed in the workplace Help in the identification of areas where team members need more support or training Identifying potential new leaders in your current team members Helping team members develop a fresh perspective on workplace challenges Building relationships outside of work processes and activities based on respect and having fun Getting opportunities to recognise and reward team members for their performance through the year Giving team members a chance to blow off some steam and get out of their daily routine Take a Day to Work on Your Team – And Have a Blast – At Our Teambuilding Venue Near Pretoria At Idle Winds, our venue staff develops and facilitates fully customisable team building packages that are created to meet your company’s specific requirements. While we offer a wide range of activities, our most popular choices include: Quad biking challenges Gumboot Dancing The 6 Nations Cocktail Challenge Giant Foosball Fire walking Minute to Win It Drumming Just 14kms from Fourways, we are an easy drive for businesses in Sandton, Johannesburg and Pretoria. We can also accommodate you and your team on-site in our comfortable accommodation consisting of 58 double and twin-sized rooms if you would prefer a weekend retreat. For more information about our team building venue near Pretoria and the packages we offer, please contact us...

Wedding Planning Tips: Creating a Beautiful Winter Bouquet

Posted by Idle Winds on Jul 2, 2018 in Blog, Wedding venue | 0 comments

Winter may be the perfect time to have your special day at our country wedding venue near Johannesburg, thanks to the clear, sunny skies and scenic surroundings, but it’s often a challenging time for floral arrangements. Here are some great ideas for a winter wedding bouquet. Paper flowers: If you’re feeling crafty, paper flowers are a great way of creating a visually interesting twist on the traditional bridal bouquet. Easy to make and inexpensive, all you need is some paper (why not use a copy of a romantic novel you love?), florist’s wire and a glue gun. Go green: Just because there aren’t lots of flowers around, doesn’t mean you can’t have an organic bouquet! There’s beautiful conifer, ivy and fynbos to choose from, as well as decorative pine cones and grasses for an unusual and fragrant bouquet. White and silver: If you want a soft, snowy and winter-inspired bouquet, why not go for the classic combination of silver and white? Combine white roses with silver-dipped leaves and pinecones for a winter wonderland wedding. Berry: Berry colours add wintery warmth and give a dramatic contrast to a white wedding dress. Choose roses and flowers in rich purples, plums and reds, and add real berries for a natural, jewel-toned effect. Non-floral bouquets: Winter is the perfect season for shaking things up and doing something different, like a non-floral bouquet. Paper pinwheels, buttons, seashells, pearls, beads, wheat, fabric, paper butterflies and trinkets can all be pinned to polystyrene bouquet structures to create fanciful, eye-catching bouquets to match your theme and colours. Looking for the Perfect Wedding Venue? Look No Further! At Idle Winds, just 14kms from Fourways, we offer our clients a team of professional, experienced event staff to ensure that your day goes off perfectly. With onsite wedding planners, wait staff and chefs, we can assist you with everything from choosing linens and cutlery to setting up and taking down décor on the day. We are also happy to accommodate your own selection of service providers on the day. We also offer you and your wedding guests use of our onsite-accommodation. This consists of 58 well-appointed double and twin-sized rooms and you also have the option to include a wedding breakfast in your wedding package. If you would like to find out more about our wedding venue, reception and ceremony options as well as the wedding packages we offer, please contact us today. Our wedding planner and team will be happy to assist you and guide you around our beautiful country...

Gauteng Destinations – Escape to the Bush for Your Next Family Holiday

Posted by Idle Winds on Apr 16, 2018 in Blog | 0 comments

There’s nothing that South African families love more than a weekend in the bush to relax and unwind. At Idle Winds, our function venue near Johannesburg, we’ve come up with some of the best getaways in the area – perfect for the school holidays. Askari Game Lodge: Part of the Plumari Private Game Reserve in the Magaliesberg and just an hour away from Johannesburg, this lodge offers you the full big five experience. Family-friendly and rich in heritage, this lodge also holds a fantastic market on the first Sunday of each month that makes for a wonderful day trip! Magalies River Lodge: A quiet, family-friendly resort with plenty of activities from paintball and swimming to bird watching and walking trails, this is a great retreat from the fast pace of the city. With luxury self-catering cottages, indigenous surroundings, and their famous country-style hospitality, you’ll be spoilt from the moment you arrive! Stone Hill: If you love an authentic escape to the bush, then the remote hills and rustic cottages of Stone Hills are just the thing you need. 2km from the Moloney train station and the Magalies Barbys Haven lake, you can relax, escape to another time and hone your fly-fishing skills. Valley Lodge & Spa: Ideal for those of us who enjoy some pampering along with the beauty of the bush, this is an elegant and luxurious destination that will leave you feeling treated like royalty! In addition to the spa facilities, there are also hiking trails, a mineral pool, tennis courts and a traditional pub/pizzeria. Idle Winds: If you’d like the perfect mix of great activities, beautiful views, and peace and quiet – without having to travel too far, then Idle Winds is the place to visit! With comfortable accommodation and a great restaurant, we have plenty on-site to ensure a great weekend away. We’re situated in the Aloe Valley Meander, so there are hiking trails, pubs, markets and more close by – not to mention Hartebeespoort itself! Relax, Unwind and Recharge with Our Comfortable Accommodation Near Johannesburg Idle Winds is a top function venue offering a great restaurant and family-friendly accommodation near Johannesburg, with plenty of fun activities nearby. We’re located just 14kms from Fourways, making us an easy drive from Pretoria, Johannesburg, and Sandton. In just minutes, you will escape to the fresh air and lush veld of the scenic Aloe Valley meander. Contact us today and book your next getaway in...

What to do in Gauteng in the Easter School Holidays!

Posted by Idle Winds on Apr 2, 2018 in Blog | 0 comments

The Rand Show: This is one of the most anticipated annual events in Gauteng, with plenty for kids and adults to enjoy! It’s on from 30th March – 8 April and includes an exciting Into the Future science and technology expo, Animal Kingdom for wild little explorers, a fun Sports Expo and all the latest toys and games at the Kids Expo. There’s also an SANDF display, show gardens, and lots of food and drink! The Field & Study Market: This market is held on the second Saturday of every month from March to December at the Sandton Field and Study Park. It’s a spacious and family-friendly market with a large free play area for kids as well as plenty of entertainment activities. Dogs are also welcome on leads. This is a great opportunity to relax, enjoy nature and be inspired by local goods, food, and beverages. The Rhenosterspruit Nature Conservancy: Founded in 1987, this nature conservancy area is located near the Cradle of Humankind to protect the biodiversity in the region, which includes rich bird and plant life as well as kudu, eland, leopard, brown hyena, and steenbok. Through the greater Crocodile River Reserve, you and your family can participate in interesting monthly walks and talks led by specialist guides. Future Park: This exhibition, held at The Globe at Silverstar Casino, provides children with the opportunity to play in and explore a digital universe! All activities focus on digital play and interaction with other children through futuristic activities like digital hopscotch and interactive drawings. Vaal Family Fun Day: With plenty for kids and adults, this fun fair includes performances by local artists, markets, inflatables, go-kart racing and much more. It’s going to be held at the Saul Tsotetsi Sports Complex on 7 April. Explore Hartebeespoort: The Hartebeespoort area has so much to offer this Easter, from water sports and hiking to hot air balloon rides, mountain biking and live music – not to mention the great restaurants, spas, and pubs in the area. Family Fun in the School Holidays with Idle Winds Function Venue Whether you want a day trip out with the kids or a weekend away from the city with your family, the Hartebeespoort area has so much to offer – and it’s all just 14km from Fourways! At Idle Winds function venue, we offer our guests everything they need for a relaxing countryside break, from comfortable on-site accommodation to an award-winning restaurant. For more information about our function venue and accommodation near Pretoria or to book your stay, please contact us...

Ask Your Conference Venue These Questions before You Book

Posted by Idle Winds on Mar 19, 2018 in Blog | 0 comments

Booking a conference venue is a pivotal part of hosting a corporate event like a conference, workshop or product launch – and it can be an expensive mistake if you book the wrong venue. Here are some questions to ask before you put your budget and your brand on the line, from our conference venue near Johannesburg. How suitable is the venue for this event? If you can’t visit the venue in person to see exactly what they can offer you, it’s important to discuss with them the basic requirements you’ll need to pull off a successful event. Is the venue the right size? Can it seat enough people? Is there room for presentation equipment you want to bring? Does the venue’s atmosphere and facilities suit the atmosphere of the event you are planning to host? How accessible is the venue? This covers two key areas, namely that it will be easy for attendees to transport themselves to the venue and, that once there, that the venue has a wheelchair and other accessibility areas covered. Can you offer catering options? Most conferences require some level of catering, even if it’s just basic refreshments, but no two venues are the same – so it’s important to discuss exactly what kind of catering they can offer you. You may want a spit braai or a formal sit-down meal or have attendees with specific dietary requirements, and the team at the venue has to be prepared to deliver. What is the venue set up? There are lots of different types of conference centers and some are more suited to certain events than others. You may need a large, seated theatre-like room, or a wide open space where you can host dozens of booths, so the venue needs to be able to assure you that they have the right space for your needs. Is there accommodation? For multi-day events, on-site accommodation is a must-have. Always ask venues what accommodation they have if it’s possible to book it out for your event, and what the accommodation consists of. Run a Seamless Corporate Event or Workshop at our Conference Venue near Johannesburg Our fully-air-conditioned conference village just 14kms from Fourways is set in tranquil, well-maintained gardens, encouraging an atmosphere of relaxation and stress-free focus. With six modern conference rooms to choose from, including a 400-seat theatre-style venue, we can comfortably accommodate up to 500 people per day. All our catering is of high quality and our luncheons take place in a private function venue of your choice. In addition to conference and seminar facilities, we also offer a range of team building packages that can be utilised separately or in conjunction with your conference package. For more information on our conference packages or to visit our facilities in person, please don’t hesitate to contact us today and speak to our friendly, experienced...

How to Plan the Perfect Bachelorette or Bachelor Party

Posted by Idle Winds on Mar 5, 2018 in Blog | 0 comments

For many couples, bachelors and bachelorette parties are one of the most enjoyable parts of a wedding – you get to let your hair down, have some fun and get rid of some of that pre-wedding stress! Here are some tips for planning these events, from the team at our Function venue near Pretoria. Decide on the hosts: These events are usually coordinated by the wedding party, so it’s good to organise a quick meeting where people discuss what they are willing to contribute – it doesn’t have to be all down to the best man or lead bridesmaid! This helps get everyone on the same page. This is also a good time to talk about the budget, whether presents are expected and so forth. Plan the guest list: This will usually include close friends attending the wedding but can also be expanded to co-workers, friends who are unable to attend the wedding, and friends who are unable to attend because the wedding is very small or out of town. Choose a date: Try to pick a date a few weeks or at least the weekend before the wedding. The night before (or even a day before that) isn’t advisable, as the last thing you want is a hungover couple and guests! The week of a wedding is also often very busy, so try to keep that in mind. Once you have a date, start booking your event well in advance as function venues, spas, hotels, and entertainers get booked up quickly! Talk to the couple: Be sure to ask the couple what they would like before you go ahead and book anything. Some people want a traditional wild party, others want something low-key, and others prefer a mini-getaway. It’s important to stick to the general idea of what each person would like but add in a few fun surprises to make it special. Have fun! Our Function Venue Near Pretoria will Deliver an Event to Remember At Idle Winds, we know just how important it is that every detail is correct for your event and that everything goes smoothly. From our experienced chefs and wait staff to our event planners who will help coordinate and organise your party, our team will deliver everything you need to enjoy such a special occasion. If you have a birthday or special celebration coming up, we’d like to encourage you to visit our venue, explore your options and our function packages and speak to our helpful and friendly staff. Located just 14kms from Fourways, we’re just a short trip from the city – but you’ll feel a world away! For more information on our function venue, please don’t hesitate to contact us...

Wedding tips: How to choose the perfect wedding dress

Posted by Idle Winds on Feb 26, 2018 in Blog | 0 comments

February is all about love and romance, making it a popular month for proposals! If you’re one of the lucky ones who’ve gotten engaged recently, congratulations! Now it’s time to start planning your dream day – and one of the most important decisions you can make is choosing your wedding dress. Here are some tips from the team at Idle Winds, a stunning wedding venue near Pretoria. Your wedding venue: This is an important factor in choosing the right wedding dress, as it should fit in with the location of your ceremony and reception. For example, a daytime beach ceremony wouldn’t suit a huge gown with a long train, and a wedding in a beautiful church wouldn’t suit a cocktail-style wedding dress. Your budget: Your dress can easily take up a big portion of your wedding budget, so you need to have a good idea of just how much you can spend. Don’t forget to add in your extras – like the veil, undergarments and accessories – as well. This will help you decide on a look and designer that meets your requirements and won’t sink your budget. Your body type: Every woman is unique, and different silhouettes work suit particular body types, bringing out your best look. Most brides have a few looks that suit them, and a general rule to follow is: petite brides should avoid big, frothy ball gowns, mermaid dresses look best on hourglass brides, A-line dresses look great on everyone, trumpet dresses are fabulous on curvy figures, and Empire ball gowns look great on boyish figures. Your personality: There are so many bridal dresses and so many rules to follow, but the most important one is to find a dress that’s all about you. Yes, white is traditional – but if your heart is on a dramatic deep red, then don’t let tradition hold you back. If princess gowns are on trend but you love the freedom of simplicity, then don’t convince yourself to get tied up in a corset. If you’re in doubt, go with a dress that you feel comfortable in and that speaks to you! Bring your dream day to life at our country wedding venue near Pretoria At Idle Winds, just 14kms from Fourways, we offer our clients a team of professional, experienced event staff to ensure that your day goes off perfectly. With onsite wedding planners, wait staff and chefs, we can assist you with everything from choosing linens and cutlery to setting up and taking down décor on the day. We are also happy to accommodate your own selection of service providers on the day. We also offer you and your wedding guests use of our onsite-accommodation. This consists of 58 double and twin-sized rooms and you also have the option to include a wedding breakfast in your package. If you would like to find out more about our wedding venue, reception and ceremony options as well as the packages we offer, please contact us today. Our wedding planner and the team will be happy to assist you and guide you around our beautiful country...

How to plan the perfect Valentine’s Day – A guide from our function venue

Posted by Idle Winds on Feb 12, 2018 in Blog | 0 comments

February is the month of love, and with Valentine’s Day around the corner, the team at Idle Winds wanted to share some of their best tips for planning the perfect romantic date for your spouse or partner. Know his/her interests: Valentine’s Day isn’t necessarily about red roses and chocolate – it’s about showing your loved one that you really care about them. So, if rock climbing or water-skiing is your date’s passion, then go with that. You can always pamper them with an overnight stay, a lovely couple’s massage or a candlelit dinner after! Location, location, location: Take the time to research your options, don’t just jump on the first package you see. This means planning your day well in advance because places fill up quickly! Look at the reviews of a restaurant or hotel, take a look at their photo galleries to see what it’s really like, and look into what the area offers. Build up to the big surprise: Having a wonderful Valentine’s Day is about more than a dinner or date, so try and make the whole day a treat for your loved one. Surprise them with flowers in the morning, then treat them to a message and packed lunch for work. Get a work colleague to help you arrange a half day at the office, then whisk your loved one off for an impromptu surprise getaway! Don’t be afraid to ask for help: The best function venues work with their clients when they want to plan something really special, and these teams are trained to deliver the exceptional! If you want a special table, a picnic option, or even assistance planning a proposal, their staff can help you pull it off seamlessly and in style. Let Idle Winds function venue near Johannesburg make your Valentine’s Day one to remember! If you are looking for the perfect venue for a sophisticated night out, our restaurant at Idle Winds offers everything you need – mouth-watering food, attentive service and a romantic country setting just 14kms from Fourways. Established in 1989, our restaurant has won many coveted awards and has an extensive wine cellar boasting a unique, high-quality collection of local and international choices. Our highly experienced chefs specialize in international flavours and trend, offering you seasonal produce cooked to perfection – the perfect way to celebrate Valentine’s Day with your special someone. For more information about our function venue and facilities, please contact us...

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