An African Farm
This
one is simply a must. A real “farm in Africa” feel, this a world of fly screens
on green-painted doors, wide, vine-covered verandahs, big lawns and plentiful
indoor and outdoor seating areas. If you were privileged to spend time
on a South African farm during your childhood, this experience will take you right
back there. Bartholomeusklip (www.bartholomeusklip.co.za)
backs onto the Elandsberg Nature Reserve and here they live out their respect
for the natural world.
The
combination of superior luxury in a farm setting which respects the local
environment is an appealing one. There are (piping hot) solar geysers, underfloor
heating in bathrooms, a heated towel rail and fine linen on the wide beds. I
stay in the Orchid Suite, which has a cerise orchid with matching floral
cushions in the lounge. The scheme is calm and sophisticated, with taupe and
white stripes and florals. A generous and inviting couch and a sink-in armchair
complete the full open-plan lounge. In the bedroom there is a white cast-iron
bed with white linen.
The bathroom is both traditional and luxurious, with separate shower and a
ball-and-claw bath. In the suite there are 3 sets of double doors – in the
bathroom, bedroom and lounge. They all open out onto a private pergola patio
with views to the mountains and nature reserve.
Despite
the loveliness of the décor and architecture, gourmet food is the main
attraction here. Locally grown produce is artfully combined into modern and
fresh flavours. Decadent use of salted caramel and butter elevate these meals
from worthy to worshipful.
Accommodation
Experience:
Lying
in the bath at dusk, double doors flung wide open, I take mindful stock of
every sense. I feel a cool breeze coming in from outside, on which I hear the sweet
whistle of a Spurwing Goose. There is the sound of crickets joining their choir
one by one. I taste an intense strawberry and drink clear spring water. I smell
the locally produced fragrant soap and I appreciate the view of the mountains
turning pink, the golden grass in front briefly lit up in a last glow. And I
feel like the luckiest, happiest little being on the planet.
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