If you’ve lived in the Western Cape for a bit like we have, you will know that Capetonians & those living right along the coast up to Plettenberg Bay are so spoilt for choice! You can take a different day trip or weekend away for about a whole lifetime & never get bored.
But don’t get sad just yet if you live in Gauteng or surrounds. I’m about to let you in on an amazing best-kept secret getaway that is only 45 minutes from Sandton & a mere 10 minutes from Pretoria city center.
Say what? Yes. I have experienced one of the best staycations for us city slickers up here in the North. On Friday last week, my plus one (my mother) & I were lucky enough to indulge in some pampering & luxury at Kievits Kroon.
Here are my 6 Reasons To Visit Kievits Kroon Country Estate & Spa:
Reason #1: To Experience The Winelands Feeling In Gauteng
Kievits Kroon is a high-end four-star property, but in my opinion, many aspects of the experience deserve five stars. You have probably guessed that it is called the “Winelands in Gauteng” because of the Cape Dutch-style architecture. The unbelievable peace & quiet here is exactly what overworked visitors from the city need. The sounds of sirens & traffic are replaced with the chirping of birds playing in the massive old trees. My mother noticed how good the garden still looked despite the drought. This is thanx to the clever use of water-wise & drought resistant plants.
I really loved the massive fresh flower arrangements in the communal areas.
Kievits Kroon is also geared for large groups, so if you’re looking for a conferencing venue, then this is it.
The library bar offers a selection of books, magazines & drinks that you can enjoy on a comfy couch inside or outside on the deck.
Reason #2: The Food Is Oh So Delicious
We were treated to a Friday night fine dining experience at Granita Restaurant. The evening was lovely & we were in the capable hands of our host Lucky, & the very kind Jafta & Pinkie.
I need to mention that the menu can do with some refining. The portions were way too big for a tasting menu & left us feeling like we were wasting terribly. We also felt that we were not able to appreciate the dishes once we passed the third course (& believe me, we have very healthy appetites!). We mentioned this to the chef & he accepted our feedback with grace & appreciation.
The Main course & absolute star of the dinner was the Grilled Beef Fillet with Braised Oxtail & Texture Onions (grilled baby onion, onion marmalade, spring onion). It was cooked to perfection & would have been an amazing dish on its own! But by the time this beautiful 250g beef fillet was served, we had unfortunately had so much to eat that we couldn’t finish half of this delightful dish.
The Traditional Baked Malva Pudding served with a citrus crème anglaise & cinnamon ice cream was the perfect ending to the meal. We decided to share this gorgeous dish, which was the right call because once again the portion was very generous.
If you decide to go for the tasting dinner, then my recommendation would be to start early & make sure that you arrive ravenous. Ideally, skip lunch if you can!
A quick word about the breakfast: I am not a fan of any kind of buffet, but I have to give two thumbs-up to Kievits Kroon for their breakfast buffet which is nothing short of unbelievable. There is literally something on offer for every taste & diet.
Apart from all the regular delicious breakfast options that you can dream of, you can also enjoy a glass of bubbly & oysters, mouth-watering spicy chicken livers, mini breakfast quiches & haddock if you like. Oh yes, & then don’t forget to end your breakfast with flapjacks topped with chocolate, caramel sauce or cream!
We were supposed to enjoy a Gourmet Picnic before we said goodbye, but we were simply too full so we (reluctantly) canceled out basket. I love the idea of these picnics though & will certainly have one when I return because it is such effortless luxury. The hotel will supply & set up everything from the delicious food, the cooler, the blanket & cushions. You just need to arrive & chillax! Mmm.
Reason #3: Some Pampering At The Spa Will Leave You Feeling Like A New Person
Our 90-minute spa treatment was pure bliss, but more about that in another post.
Reason #4: The Rooms Are Beautiful & Have Everything You Need
The property (of 16 hectares to be exact) has a wonderfully tranquil atmosphere making it hard to believe that there are 142 luxury rooms (of which two are adapted for disabled guests).
We stayed in one of the 42 executive rooms; a no-frills but stylishly decorated space. Interestingly enough, these rooms were added in 2010 to accommodate the referees of the World Cup Soccer so they are newish & have a rather business-feel to them. The bathroom & toilet are separate, which I think should be standard in all hotels.
Special touches like a turndown service, a plunger with filter coffee (a welcome change to the regular sachets of coffee) & a door that opened onto a private garden patio made our stay extra special. When I go back I’m definitely going to make some time for a long soak in the bath.
Reason #5: Friendly, Fast Service All Around
In August this year, Kievits Kroon was incorporated into the Faircity Hotel Group which meant that the existing staff was retained. It was clearly a job well done because we experienced the staff as super friendly & very eager to help.
Reason #6: Spending Time By The Pool Is The Ultimate Relaxation 
We wrapped up our visit to Kievits Kroon with a couple of hours by the pool. It was seriously two of the most relaxing hours I’ve had in a very long time! Maybe because, with a toddler by our side, we hardly have a chance to relax by the pool just paging through a magazine & being served G&T’s! The estate only welcomes children over 14 years, so you can be sure of a really tranquil poolside experience. I’m still dreaming about this.
So if the year is getting way too long for you, make sure you get to Kievits Kroon for the ultimate in relaxation, delicious food & fantastic service. I would recommend a two-night stay, but you can also book one night, a half-day or full-day visit to the spa (with lunch included), so if you can’t stay the night, you can still enjoy this amazing place.
I hope I’ve sufficiently whet your appetite for a visit to Kievits Kroon. Like their Facebook page or look over here to stay updated with their special offers.
Yolandi ♥
Images: Yolandi North ©
* We were hosted by Kievits Kroon for our visit. But as always, please be assured that I will only post about something that I would honestly recommend & pay for with my own hard-earned cash.
Kievits Kroon is always a win!