BLISSFUL MEMORIES ON THE MIDLANDS MEANDER
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 at 1:47PM It’s always gratifying to receive feedback from guests who stay at Hartford House, as an enormous amount of effort goes into making every guest’s stay a memorable one. It was therefore with deep appreciation that we received these reviews via the Tripadvisor.com website:
THE MEMORIES WILL LAST A LIFETIME
Hartford House Restaurant
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We spent only 24 hours at Hartford House, but the memories will last a lifetime. From the moment we arrived and were offered a complimentary cocktail, we knew we had arrived somewhere special. The location was beautiful, tranquil and instantly relaxing.
We stayed in the Inkanyezi suite, which was a very impressive rondavel, built by locals, which was situated overlooking the fishing dam, with our own private plunge pool.
The accommodation was very special, from the 8 foot circular bed, to the bath for two (in which we drank champagne from the mini bar!) and the views and the sunloungers, all of which made us feel very special! We also had treatments at the wellness centre which contributed to our overall feeling of well being.
The food was out of this world, with the five course dinner a highlight. The restaurant was voted best Restaurant in South Africa in 2009 and this honour is well deserved. It was without doubt the best meal we have ever eaten. Save room for breakfast though, as this is equally impressive!
As you probably realise, we were impressed with this place, but quite apart from the quality of the accommodation and food, what impressed us most was the courage and determination of the owners and their Zulu staff to make a success of Hartford House and in an area of enormous unemployment and poverty, they are creating an amazing success story. Go there, support their efforts and have an experience you won't forget.
ABSOLUTE BLISS
Siyabonga Suite Lounge
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We spent one night at Hartford House in the Siyabonga suite for a special celebration, our stay was absolute bliss, from our drive to the hotel passing beautiful green scenery to our departure after breakfast on Sunday morning. From the minute you enter the gates absolute silence and beauty greet you, everywhere you look you see evidence to detail, the grounds are in pristine condition, the gardens a gorgeous riot of colour. The main house is well maintained and has beautiful furniture and exquisite mouldings and even stained glass on the ceilings. Check in was smooth, we were given a refreshing drink, while a few details were filled in.
The Siyabonga suite is one of the stand alone cottages at the dam edge, it has its own little splash pool with a water feature and an outdoor area, including 2 hammocks, overlooking the dam. The suite itself is big with a separate lounge area, lovely bedroom and dressing area, the bathroom has 2 stand alone baths as well as a separate wet room with a rain shower. The suite was clean and well maintained. The walks through the property were amazing, being able to get so close to the horses was very special.
Saturday dinner is an event at Hartford, with live entertainment by Zulu dancers, however unfortunately for us there was a problem and the dancers could not turn up, but Mick’s beautiful story telling made us proud to be South African and we learned more about our country’s as well as Hartford’s rich history. The food was sublime, Jackie is truly a star, she accommodated us with our dietry requirements, so we were able to enjoy a gastronomic feast. The staff were friendly and attentive.
When we got back to our room, the staff had been to turn down the bed, the chocolates were delicious and the rose petals on the bed and in the bath made us feel very special.
Sunday breakfast was not the usual buffet but another gastronomic feast.
Sadly we had to leave, but the peace and tranquillity of the place refreshed our souls.
Reader Comments (1)
I spent a glorious year (1999) in South Africa whilst doing my Masters at the Uni in Durban. As part of R & R my boyfriend would come over from England and we would stay at Hartford House - I think we stayed four times in 1999! We would love to consider staying at Hartford House again this December, with all our friends we made that year. But the pictures on the web make me slightly sad - Hartford House was amazing in 1999 - it was way ahead of its time - way ahead of truly small boutique, intimate hotels where the staff really cared about its clients. Is it the same? It looks amazing, absolutely, but would we feel as special, as comfortable, as relaxed as we did all those years ago? We don't want somewhere 'oversmart' - we want the place where we fell in love - both with each other and with Hartford House.
You can see for yourself how we felt about Hartford House, simply by looking at the Guest Book for 1999. I hope you still have that?
Lucy Elliott
Editor, The Kensington Magazine