Friedrich and Lorraine Schaefer, with years of worldwide experience as hoteliers between them, have created the Living Journey Collection, a portfolio of eight boutique hotels, all within a two-hour drive from Cape Town. The Zest Boutique Hotel is the founding property of the Living Journey Collection, and it was the starting point for a two-day road trip around the Western Cape and through a few of the Living Journey properties. Hospitality seems instinctive to the Living Journey Collection, and over dinner Desmond O’Connor, the Group General Manager, spoke of what made him want to work in the hotel industry. It’s a subtle skill, crafting an itinerary that balances movement with stillness, and the Living Journey team seems to understand that travellers remember feelings more than checklists. Under the stewardship of the Living Journey team, Majeka House has regained the sense of poise that long made it a favourite among Winelands visitors.