Memorable rustic charm of Rustique
Middelburg hotel full of surprises
On the weekend of the popular annual Loskop Marathon in Middelburg, the mid-size Mpumalanga town comes alive.
It is also the time for the town to showcase the best in hospitality. Yours truly spent the time at the Rustique Boutique Hotel, on the outskirts of town.
Rustique is hidden from the R104, the road to Belfast. Approaching it via a narrow farm road does not reveal much until you reach the gates. Beyond that you are greeted by a serene country setting, not much to rave about until you walk through the reception area.
The building housing the reception is also the heartbeat of the hotel, as its restaurants and other hospitality facilities are based there. A garden stretches out to a small dam on the property.
The garden has ample seating for outdoor dining and for sundowners basking in the glow of the spectacular sunsets these parts of the country are known for.
Since I was there on the business of the Loskop Marathon, the Rustique lived up to its claim as the place to be for business gatherings by the way it handled the media briefing the night before the race.
As per its boutique description, the Rustique menu offers a delicious culinary adventure, serving unusual but delightful meals designed to make you want to come back for more. For the less adventurous, wood-fired pizzas and sumptuous hamburgers are also served.
Word in town is that the Rustique is the best place for superthick milkshakes, though I did not try any out. But I can vouch for their cappuccino, which was covered with equally thick cream; yummy stuff !
After enjoying the friendly atmosphere of the public spaces, retiring to the rooms for a private moment is also a welcome treat. The rooms, built in a row a short walk from the main building, offer four-star accommodation.
The 19 double and en-suite rooms offer expansive views from the patio they open out onto. The king-size bed with its comfy bedding helps relax the body, and classic chairs and a bench complete the rustic, yet romantic decor. The star of the sizeable bathroom was the large oval-shaped bath.
In case of family or group travel, the rooms have interleading doors that can be opened. They have the full DStv bouquet, Wi-Fi and a mini-bar, among other things.
The rates are R550 per person sharing and R650 single, breakfast included.