The Garden Route has a special place in my heart and it has been like this ever since I moved to the Cape in 2000. Ten years later, this region has exploded in all sectors and towns like George, Mossel Bay and Knysna have clearly creamed a lot of this developmental spend, much to the betterment of all stakeholders.
Knysna and Plettenberg Bay rate amongst my personal favourite towns in SA and it is always a treat to spend time in these towns. I did just that during the recent Kynsna Oyster Festival and decided to split my time between the two towns.
Premier Hotel Knysna - The Moorings
Both these towns have fabulously luxurious accommodation available for the very top-end traveller to the more mid-range offerings and loads of B&B options to choose from. I always like to try something new and discovered the Premier Hotel and Resorts group’s Premier Hotel Knysna -The Moorings, a newly built 4-star property that opened its doors this year in Knysna. Situated on the banks of the Knysna Lagoon in a woodland garden, this hotel offers you a range of great outdoor activities that include fishing, swimming, boating and bird watching.
The accommodation ranges from private villas to apartment style suites in the main hotel block. All the units provide ample space and are fully equipped for self-catering. The design and decor is modern and compliments the surroundings of this well located hotel.
The Salmon Restaurant at the hotel has an uncomplicated menu that is really pleasing when you just want to chill and not spend time on deciding what to eat. The hotel also offer conferencing facilities for groups from 10-200 and I highly recommended this hotel for families with children as well. For more information, visit www.premierhotels.co.za.
Next stop was the Grand Cafe Rooms in Pletts. Located in the centre of the town, this carefully restored restaurant, chill lounge and now accommodation is definitely a must-stop, must-visit kind of place in any travellers’ books. It earns a wow for its decor, which you soak up as you enter and scores a double wow for its views of the bay.
The Grand Café and Rooms offers a selection of boho-chic rooms, all equipped with high extra king size beds draped in fine percale linen and goose down pillows, private entrances and extraordinary views over the ocean and mountains. The rooms are elegantly romantic and transports one to another time zone, another world, albeit a warm and welcoming one. For more information, visit www.thegrand.co.za.
There are quite a few game farms and resorts in the Plettenberg area and Buffalo Hills is one such spot, however they do have something a little more special than the others. Mountain biking and (soon to come) trail running in this rugged farm will surely be welcomed by the adventurous.
We spent the night in one of their tented lodges, which is comfortably fitted with all the conveniences barring a television, which is not needed at all. My wife Roxanne was a bit anxious initially but settled in fine after a while. The sounds of the night and the early morning chirps from the birds make spending time at Buffalo Hills special. Hosts Tony, Maria and Carmen also do all they can to ensure that all guests feel at home.
Buffalo Hills has limited wildlife but does offer one the opportunity to take walks and drives to see the game that is on offer. Stays are based on dinner, bed and breakfast and they do run specials where kids stay for free so it does make for a worthwhile break without breaking the bank. For more information, visit www.buffalohills.co.za.
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