Make Our Farm Your Bio-Bubble Home-From-Home

In response to the pandemic, Spier has increased its extensive range of hygiene protocols (for a full list of them visit click here). Furthermore, we’re proudly part of Stellenbosch Ready, a pledge that commits us to the adherence of standardised health and hygiene protocols which have been validated by the World Travel and Tourism Council.

The size, scope and strictness of the bio-bubble (should protocols need to be even more extensive than those currently in place) can be adjusted according to the needs of the clients.

Bio-bubbles can range in size: from a cluster of 8 to 18 rooms centred around one of the Hotel’s six courtyards, to the entire property which currently offers 151 rooms.

Flexible catering options range from fully-serviced farm to table offering to self-service canteen-style options to in-room dining. For bubbles booking the entire hotel, the restaurant is available on an exclusive use basis.

As participants of bio-bubble often require regular testing, this is something that can be offered by a doctor on-site, avoiding the need for travel to a testing location.

In 2020, an international film crew made Spier its bio-bubble home-from-home.

“We needed to isolate our crew and their staff for a total of 12 weeks. Access controlled, no one in and no one out unless they were tested, quarantined and remained in the bubble,” explains Vlokkie Gordon, the CEO of Advantage Entertainment.

“It was clear from the day we arrived that Spier management and staff were well aware of all the COVID regulations and what needed to be done to keep everyone safe, masked, sanitised and distanced,” she says, emphasising how seriously the staff took mask-wearing, sanitising and distancing rules.

Managing a bio-bubble to a high standard is no easy feat, but Spier took it in stride, she says.

“For the duration of our stay we constantly had to make changes to adapt to shrinking and expanding occupation, meals, testing routines, quarantine regulations, meal demands and the social wellbeing of the crew, cast and staff in the bubble. Every time the Spier management and staff came up with good practical solutions, meeting our needs. From setting up an instant gym, to hosting events for the crew on the beautiful lawns, pool parties and movie night (all with the regulated social distance and masks in place).”

Tailor-made solutions were made to ensure the needs of the crew were met.

“We even had a full-time beauty therapist that quarantined with us for special spoils!” she says. While some crew and cast members from the UK and USA were a tad apprehensive about coming to South Africa to shoot during COVID and be “locked up” in a bubble, they quickly changed their minds. She recounts how one cast member thanked her for “designing this thing impeccably”. They thanked her “for giving us not just a film but a family; I’ll never forget it”.

Spier’s bucolic setting and the village-style feel of the hotel with its courtyard pools was a major plus.

“We did not feel that we were living in a hotel, but rather our own little village somewhere in our own world. An added bonus was that each 8 to 10 rooms had their own private pool, which was a great help in spacing people out to enjoy the sun and swim in a responsible space.”

”Our stay at Spier Hotel demanded another level of commitment as essentially we were 24/7 guests,” she says. To keep things running smoothly, she explains that the Hotel set up communication groups, Flowcode menus and production groups.

“The Spier team kept us informed on all relevant matters and included the production team in all decisions that would have an impact on our needs. I can truly say that management and the staff went way and beyond what were required! We were blessed to have had the opportunity to spend this time at Spier and add them to our film family!”

Need to create a secure bio-bubble for your team? Look no further! Contact comieng@spier.co.za today.