Winter escape

Winter is perfect season to go for a romantic holiday. You get to cuddle in front a of the fire with that special somebody while enjoying the tranquility that a perfectly planned holiday has to offer.

Recently, my partner and I went on one of those romantic holidays - with no kids. We visited the Granny Mouse Country House and Spa in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands.

Granny Mouse Country House and Spa

I still gush when I talk about my visit to the Granny Mouse Country House & Spa in the heart of the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. I swear I’m not exaggerating. Any person who appreciates the tranquility of country life and has stayed at Granny Mouse will probably feel the same way.

When I received an invitation for a two-night stay there, I went to the website and looked through the photo gallery. I was impressed by what I saw, but that cynical inner voice kept saying, “It’s just another luxurious country hotel.” Don’t get me wrong, the photos on the website are stunning and will make you think twice about ignoring the “Book now” button.

However, when you see the place with the naked eye, it’s far more beautiful. It’s the perfect combination of country charm and a touch of opulence, with hospitality that draws you in.
It was drizzling; overcast and chilly, the perfect weather for a romantic holiday. I stood on the balcony of our de luxe suite, sipping tea and admiring the perfect work of Mother Nature. Our host, assistant general manager Mouton du Toit, had been kind enough to give me and my partner a room with the most magnificent view of the Midlands Meander. When we opened the curtains, the picturesque Lions River at the foot of the Drakensberg Mountains stretched as far as the eye could see.

Dark grey clouds hovered over the lush green mountains that day. The Lions River, which divides the hotel and the competing mountains, was roaring, probably at the delight of the raindrops.
I stood there thinking, this is the life, and listening to the therapeutic sound of the river that leads over a waterfall.

It already seemed like ages since we had driven into the property and been welcomed by the enchanting gardens leading to the reception. We had stopped and peeked inside the idyllic wedding chapel with its panoramic views over the Caversham Valley.

We could only imagine what the hotel looked like inside. As expected, the interior was rich in old-world charm, and the décor combined country ambiance with modern comforts.
And there waited Du Toit and Nomfundo Mkhize our “caretaker”. I call her caretaker because she made our stay pleasant and memorable, but she is actually the hotel’s duty manager.

It’s always good to be paired with someone who is knowledgeable about the history of an establishment and the surrounding area. Mkhize was an excellent tour guide, and gave us estimates of the distances we had to travel to reach nearby places.

From hot-air ballooning, candle designing, cheese tasting, and creating weird and wonderful chocolate to zipping through the second largest indigenous forest in South Africa on slides up to 175m long – it’s all there waiting for you.

I never go for a holiday without an itinerary, something that bugs my partner, who prefers spontaneity. Unfortunately for him, he never wins this fight.
The Midlands Meander is a perfect holiday destination for people like me who like to experience a little of everything.

This time around, we wanted to take it easy with the activities and enjoy the serenity of country living. On the first day we enjoyed what the hotel has to offer. On the second day, we decided to visit Nelson Mandela’s capture site down the road, then Piggly Wiggly’s farmers’ market and Florentines Belgian Chocolate. We ended the day with cheese tasting at the Swissland Cheese, a 13-minute drive from the hotel.

On our return, we relaxed in front of the fireplace and enjoyed the ambience of our elegantly decorated room before being treated to a sumptuous dinner at the Bistro, one of the two restaurants that offer an array of culinary decadence.

Time went by quickly and, before we knew it, it was time to go back to the hustle and bustle of the city.

** A garden room goes for R1 815 a night, a deluxe room for R2 323 and a deluxe suite for R2 819 for the winter season. There is currently a winter 2017 special for R4 000 for two nights. Visit grannymouse.co.za or phone 033 234 4071.