Hotel Review: King's Grant, Ixopo, KwaZulu-Natal
This former seminary in 'Alan Paton country is a perfect refuge in a lovely spot, with bird-watching, canoeing and a country-train ride nearby
LOCATION
In a former Trappist seminary set amid rolling hills outside Ixopo, near Pietermaritzburg. The name remembers the gift of land from the governor of Natal to the heirs of Dick King, the man who in 1842 rode from Port Natal (Durban) to Grahamstown in just nine days to alert the British garrison there that the port had been besieged by Voortrekkers.
STYLE
The owners have retained the buildings and general feeling of the mission station - obviously without the gruel and long work days. The rooms - the former living quarters for the priests and nuns, with names such as "The Monk's Room" and "The Nuns' Abode" - are simply and classically furnished. Some have open thatch roofs, some have fireplaces. The decor is simple and unfussy, in keeping with the past.
SERVICE
Efficient, unobtrusive and friendly.HOW'S THE GRUB?
St Isidore's Restaurant is a fine use of the former red-brick dairy. It's small - just 35 seats - and intimate. The food is simple but excellent and fresh country cooking (the lodge is in the very heart of prime farmland after all). If you want to eat in the beautiful terraced gardens, the kitchen will pack a picnic hamper for you - or mezze platter to pick at lazily in the courtyard where a fountain babbles happily day and night.
ACTIVITIES
There is bass fishing and canoeing on the 50ha dam. The birdlife is abundant - the cry of fish eagles punctuates the days. Then there are the gardens with their many secret nooks, where you could hide away with a picnic and book. For something different, take a ride on the Paton's Country Narrow Gauge Railway - the train that Alan Paton made famous - or go rafting on the beautiful Umkomaas.BEST TIME TO GO
Summer, if you like your hills green and lush; winter for fine walking on bracing days and nights by the log fire.
FACILITIES
St Isidor's Chapel is available for weddings. There are Canadian canoes for hire on the lake. For those inclined to slothfulness, there is a fine museum and restored blacksmith's shop in the old brickworks - they were industrious sorts, those Trappists.
RATES
From R500pp, including breakfast.
CONTACT
Visit kingsgrant.co.za.
• Ash was guest of King's Grant...
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