Graciously Received:
Morrells
Manor House has all the character of a country guesthouse, with all the hushed
professionalism of a luxury urban hotel. Set in one of the older, leafier
suburbs of Gauteng, Northcliff, the style is understated French Provencial,
with indoor and alfresco dining areas overlooking lavender bushes and a peaceful,
blue-grey pool.
In the original manor house there are chandeliers in every room,
Louis XV-style chairs, old fashioned coat racks and wooden luggage racks. Individually
decorated rooms follow a botanical theme, with names like Plumbago, Camellia,
and Hydrangea. There are fresh cut flowers everywhere and I count four vases
filled with lilac sweetpea flowers in my room alone.
I
choose to stay in the Agapanthus room, which has ceiling-to-floor lead-light
windows and double doors onto a private sun-filled courtyard. The synchronised
curtains, headboard and floral valence complement the white percale linen and
pretty bedside lamps. The enormous bathroom is tiled, with a wide, deep bath
and a double-headed shower. Maria Garcia bath products are the final flourish
leading to a happy sigh.
Accommodation
Experience:
I
head out to Morrells Manor House early, deciding to escape the Gauteng rush to
get some work done. Despite arriving unannounced more than two hours before
check-in time, I am graciously received without even a flinch, offered a drink
and shown to my room.
Unfortunately
when I see this loveliest of rooms, all thoughts of work vanish. It is all I
can do to sink into my soft bed with a magazine. With the sun streaming in
through the open doors and windows, to the sounds of Turtle Doves and Barbets
from the surrounding established trees, I convince myself I will be more productive
tomorrow, thanks to a peaceful afternoon in this plush, secluded haven.
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