Accomodation
Review: Granny Mouse Country House & Spa
This past (very chilly) weekend, we headed up to the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, to spend a night at the gorgeous Granny Mouse Country House & Spa.
After checking out the weather forecast for the weekend, I knew that there’d be a chance of snow in the Drakensberg, so the temperatures were going to plummet. Luckily, I knew that Granny Mouse have wood-burning fires in all of their rooms, and electric blankets on the beds, just for that extra bit of warmth. Nevertheless, I still packed my winter coat, warm boots and brand new Woolies scarf.
On arrival, we were greeted by the friendly staff at reception, with a roaring fire and a glass of champagne each. We were booked into a Deluxe Suite (fancy!), and were given a brief tour of the lounge, dining areas, and then shown to our room. You have a choice of Garden Rooms, Deluxe Rooms and Deluxe Suites at Granny Mouse. The rooms all have king size beds (which can be replaced with twin beds on request), and the suites have stunning bay windows and bigger bathrooms, with a massive bath, double basins and a shower. Our room was beautiful, decorated in a very country-chic style, and the little wood-burning fire would be lit for us while we were at dinner that evening.
We dropped our luggage off in our suite and headed out to explore the grounds for a bit. Granny Mouse is the ideal wedding venue, as they have a small chapel on their grounds, as well as an area that can be used as either the wedding reception venue, or a venue for conferences or company team building.
They also have two different restaurants (a cafe-style Bistro, and The Eaves, their fine-dining restaurant), as well as a wine cellar where many different wines are housed, and where tastings are often held – you can do wine tastings or even a brandy, liqueur or chocolate tasting there!
An older-vintage bottle of wine from my favourite wine estate in the Cape.
The bar (the Mouse and Lion) is quite cozy and inviting with a roaring fire and a television screen – perfect for us to catch the South Africa vs Ireland rugby game later that evening. The bar itself is fully stocked with a variety of spirits, wines, ciders, beers… you name it (you wont be going thirsty here!) We grabbed a warming glass of Stone Road Shiraz here, to help us combat the chill outside.
How unique is this – wine corks, framed and lit up on the wall in the bar.
Although we didn’t get a chance to check it out, Granny Mouse also has a separate, self-catering Farmhouse that sleeps up to 12 people, and is fully furnished in the classic, country style.
The grounds of the hotel are beautiful and leave you feeling so in touch with nature. The area is rich with over 200 species of bird, and some wildlife along the Lions River, which we could view from the balcony in our suite.
The grounds boast the same countryside feel, with bathtubs filled with plants, ivy creeping up the trees, and the cutest little sign posts everywhere.
We indulged in a spa treatment during the afternoon, but I’ll be telling you all about that in a separate post next week – possibly one of the nicest spas I’ve visited, and the most incredible full-body massage.
With the temperature dropping a little further, we threw on our warm coats and headed to The Eaves for the most delicious dinner. They have switched over to their winter menu, and other than our delicious Amouse Bouche we dined on the Garlic and Chickpea puff pastry parcel, the Pork Loin and the Dill and Verbene Sous-Vide Kingklip. And then of course, we were complete rebels, and ordered our own bottle of wine, rather than pairing the dish with the matching drink.
Blue Cream Cheese, fresh butter and Aubergine Atchar were served with fresh bread. The Amouse Bouche of grilled chicken, rocket, red onion and paprika mayo.
We were so hungry, and the food looked so amazing, that we forgot to photograph it before we started eating! From the top, Garlic & Puff Pastry Parcel; Pork Loin.
Dill & Verbene Sous-Vide Kingklip
Unfortunately we didn’t have the space needed to fit in dessert, and instead we had a nightcap at the bar, before retiring to our suite, full, warm, completely satisfied and relaxed. We were greeted by a roaring fire and the bed had been turned down and our electric blankets turned on. Bliss!
The following morning, waking up to the beautiful view, we left our cozy room for the breakfast buffet in the Bistro. I honestly don’t know why I felt so hungry, after eating so much the night before, but I needed to feed the growling in my stomach.
Granny Mouse works on a bed and breakfast basis, so breakfast is included in the price of your stay. And boy, do they make sure you’re properly fed in the morning.
The cold buffet consisted of 4 different fruit juices, cheeses and cold meats, an array of breads, croissants and muffins, fresh fruit, cereal, yoghurt and a children’s table with donuts and rice krispie treats.
You could also order tea and coffee, and a selection of hot, cooked breakfasts from the waiters who were so friendly and eager to assist.
My very balanced breakfast – fruit and a donut, and the ‘Banger & Hash’, a delicious cheesegriller, hash brown, poached eggs and tomato relish.
After rolling out of breakfast (we were that stuffed), we packed the car with all of our goodies, and headed to grab a picture at the Selfie Frame – for the whole month of June, if you snap a picture at the Selfie Frame and upload it to social media using the hashtag #GMselfie, you can stand a chance to win 2 nights for 2 people in a Deluxe Suite, including breakfast, a 5 course dinner paired with wine, in the Cellar on one night, and a Brandy and chocolate tasting on the other. This is valued at R7000 in total… so GET SNAPPING! (more details on their Facebook group here)
Thank you to all of the staff at Granny Mouse, for a truly unforgettable stay and fantastic service all round – we’ll be back soon, I promise!
P.S. Check out the SPECIALS page on the Granny Mouse website, as they have some fantastic winter accommodation specials at the moment.
One of the members of staff who really stuck with us was Sbonga – he was bright, cheerful and the most helpful person we met there.
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Planning the ideal honeymoon can be exceptionally daunting, not to mention expensive, but if you’re looking local, and want to continue the romance long past your wedding day, Granny Mouse Country House & Spa is a definite contender! Renowned for being one of the most romantic getaway destinations in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, this idyllic retreat offers the perfect setting for a romantic honeymoon, with its tranquil atmosphere, breathtaking scenery, world-class facilities and attentive staff.
Granny Mouse’s accommodation is luxury at its finest, ranging from their secluded garden rooms, nestled in their spectacular gardens, to their sprawling deluxe suites with private balconies overlooking the Lions River. Each and every room has been designed with comfort and luxury in mind, and are equipped with large bath tubs and aromatic bath salts and oils for those intimate evenings in.
Following the excitement of the wedding, what could be better than relaxing in their on-site, state-of-the-art spa, which offers an extensive range of treatments and therapies, including hydrotherapy to replenish your mind and body before you have to get back to reality?
One of the standout features of Granny Mouse is a culinary haven, offering guests a diverse range of delectable experiences. From their fine-dining restaurant, Eaves, with its sophisticated menu of modern fusion cuisine, to their open-sky Bistro, providing a more casual dining experience, and their wine cellar, which is undoubtedly the perfect spot for a romantic dinner for two. These, coupled with their award-winning wine menu, will have you toasting to your new life together. No matter where you choose to dine whilst on honeymoon, the Granny Mouse team will pull out all the stops to ensure the most romantic of occasions.
In addition to the fantastic facilities, Granny Mouse Country House & Spa is also ideally located for exploring the surrounding area. From picnics in the Caversham Valley to wine tasting, or just taking a leisurely stroll around the local stores to choose some new items for your home together, the list is endless.
Don’t miss out on an unforgettable honeymoon. Book your stay at Granny Mouse Country House & Spa today and let their team ensure a romantic and memorable experience for you and your partner.
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In the heart of Umhlanga Beach lies a beautifully furnished, newly renovated beach house. Being a double storey with views and access to the ocean, 1 Licorna Beach is the perfect luxury getaway.
Suitable for both business and vacation rentals, this beachfront property will give you the “home away from home” relaxed feel with a pool, garden, outside braai area.
This beach house can accommodate up to 6 guests, and comprises of 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, and an open-plan kitchen, dining and living area. Stay entertained with smart tv, dual view DSTV and free wifi.
We’ve listed 9 of the many reasons why 1 Licorna Beach should be your next stay in Umhlanga:
1. UMHLANGA PROMENADE ACCESS
Enjoy direct access to the Umhlanga Promenade: a stretch along the Umhlanga coast and nature reserve, perfect for walks or runs and home to restaurants, coffee shops, ice cream spots and local vendors.
2. DIRECT BEACH ACCESS
Go for a swim in the warm Indian Ocean or chill on the shore. With beach access and a choice of four beaches in walking distance, what more do you need? Make sure there’s a life guard on duty if you go for a dip!
3. UMHLANGA NATURE RESERVE
Explore the coastal wildlife, birds and forest along the Umhlanga Nature Reserve wooden boardwalk and trail. Be sure to check out the Bike & Bean coffee shop at the Northside of the Umhlanga Promenade.
4. FINE-DINING RESTAURANTS
Spoil yourself with a dinner date at The Chef’s Table or the 14 on Chartwell, both just a stone’s throw away at Umhlanga Village.
5. FREE WIFI
Stay connected with 1 Licorna’s free wifi during your stay. Whether for business or leisure, you and your family or guests are covered.
6. DAILY HOUSEKEEPING
No one wants to do the dishes & sweep on holiday! What’s better than arriving back to your accommodation to find it’s been cleaned?
7. 24 HOUR SECURITY & SAFE PARKING
Safety is a priority at Licorna Beach. Relax knowing that you, your family & belongings are tucked away in a gated, access controlled estate.
8. POOL ACCESS
The communal pool is available for a dip, if the sea isn’t calling. Whether you’re braaiing, chilling or just cooling off – it’s nice to have options.
9. SELF-CATERING
Explore new restaurants or enjoy the comforts of home cooking. Remember, you won’t have to do the dishes either. Don’t forget to have a braai while you’re at 1 Licorna.
To book your stay:
Cell: 083 492 3241
Website: www.1licornabeach.co.za
Address:
82 Lagoon Drive, Umhlanga
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Accomodation
Want to stay in the heart of Cape Town? Here’s why The Cape Milner should be your go-to.
For Durbanites, a trip to Cape Town is always enthralling. White-sand beaches, throngs of restaurants, and sea life sightings are just some of the things we look forward to when visiting our Mother City. Of course, the various accommodation on offer forms part of said hype – and can either make or break your experience!
Well, we’re here to tell you this: If you’re looking for a hotel that’s contemporary, comfy, central, quiet and not too costly, we’ve found the place for you. Not to mention its fascinating decor, great hospitality, and luxury charm that just wraps you up and keeps you snug throughout your entire stay.
The opulent Cape Milner building matches Cape Town’s Victorian aesthetic. But inside you’ll find a mix of art-deco, modern and African chic; much like the feel of modern Africa today.
As if wedged at the bottom of Table Mountain, the views from the rooms and lounges are spectacular. We particularly enjoyed dining out in the swanky Glass Lounge, where you can look up into the blue sky or night stars while you enjoy a hearty lamb shank below.
Our homely rooms overlooked the serene Milner Road, with its impressive avenues of trees. We were given complimentary macarons on arrival and enjoyed them with tea as we watched the rain pitter-patter on the tails of unbothered squirrels — how cute! The Milner Hotel really is a place you can enjoy come rain or shine.
The hotel was the absolute, perfect base from which to explore pretty much everything and anything. Just a few minutes drive away lies Bree and Kloof – two favourites, Metropolitan streets for tourists and locals alike. Over the few days of our stay we visited many great spots, all within 5-10 minutes away.
We sank our teeth into cheesy pizza at the much-hyped “I love the dough” and tried out “Mochi Mochi” for dessert; we ordered fizzing and steaming cocktails from “Cause and Effect” at the V&A; and of course, we spent a fun-filled evening at the cheeky and illustrious “Beefcakes” in Green Point.
After each jam-packed day, coming home to our state-of-the-art bathtub and luxurious linen was the cherry on top. It fitted in perfectly with our diverse range of activities we had planned, and matched the entire style of our trip.
We didn’t want to leave!
And of course, we can’t wait to stay again…
To book your stay at the Cape Milner, contact
Tel: +27 11 516 4367
Email: res@extraordinary.co.za
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