Leeuwenhof Country Hotel and Spa, Modimolle

Glamping Romance

A stay in a Riverside Luxury Tent at Leeuwenhof Country Hotel and Spa (www.portfoliocollection.co.za) is like sleeping in your very own beautifully appointed wedding tent. Country romance is the theme of this elegant stay, and the spacious tent has soft fabric ceilings, cream furniture and curtains, blue-grey and cream striped bedding with white linen.

The tent has a wooden floor with lounge, bedroom area and full bathroom, cleverly separated by two high wardrobes. Outside there is a private deck with outdoor shower and your very own Jacuzzi spa bath overlooking the riverine bushveld. Set well away from the main hotel, overlooking natural hillside, the feeling is of being elite guests in a private nature reserve.

Luxe glamping at its best, there is air-conditioning, heating, electric blankets and the choice of surrounding window blinds open to the cool breeze and sounds of nature.

Decadent pillow treats, a candle-lit foam bath and a caring turn-down service are the final romantic touches leading to sighs of happiness at the end of the day.

Accommodation Experience

This is such a romantic suite and of course I am here alone on a work trip. I have an intense bout of loneliness and self-pity. I wallow in my misery for a while, then tell myself to buck up and make the most of this amazing opportunity. I head out to the Jacuzzi and am instantly cheered up by the experience of lying in bubbles with a pretty view of the sun setting over the river and hillside. The mindful relaxation soon takes me through a portal into a deeper space where there is no loneliness or despair, only a feeling of connectedness and wellbeing. A character stay like this, which pampers and nurtures, as well as drawing one out into nature, is a beautiful space for a romance with life in all its aching loveliness.

Porcupine Hills Farm, Near Grabouw

Country Connections

  

Porcupine Hills Guest Farm and Conservancy epitomises all things country – old painted biscuit tins stacked high on a kitchen shelf, tongue-in-groove ceilings, wooden furniture, gingham and floral fabrics and double cottage pane doors opening out from every room onto wide verandahs and pergola patios. This is big sky country, where outdoor living is a natural part of life. 

There is a choice of accommodation, and we stay in the Farmhouse, a classic two bedroom cottage with a long verandah and an attic bedroom upstairs. The lounge has a sprawling couch and fireplace, and there are additional seating areas outside. The kitchen is pretty, with butler sink, wooden table and white painted cupboards. Soft sage bedrooms have white linen and floral curtains and cushions, and white painted cottage pane doors open out from both rooms onto private patios. The bathrooms are surprisingly glamorous and each has a box skylight through which one can see stars at night.

Outside the cottage there is a braai area with benches and reclining loungers. There is a natural style, curved swimming pool with views to forever. Set in the Diepklowe private nature reserve, we are surrounded by high rock cliffs, where Black Eagles soar.

Accommodation Experience

In true country weekend style, we wake early to the sound of birdsong, but fall back asleep and lie in ‘til late. We emerge from our bedrooms at different times during the day, tousled and well rested. Finally we are brought together by the smell of warm flapjacks from the kitchen.

This is the real country magic – a space to rest and become the most natural version of oneself, from which vantage point one can connect with family and friends. In a recent survey, I asked young people “When is your family most peaceful?” The majority of the replies were about holidays, weekends and times when everyone is together. The replies show how stressed and disconnected we are much of the time, and that the recipe for harmony is so simple and achievable. Our stay at Porcupine Hills was precious respite and a lovely memory of family connectedness which we will draw on for many years to come.