A place for lovers ... and singles, too
Spring brings with it new things and an opportunity to travel to romantic places. Before I get any judgment for talking about love in September and not in February around Valentines, let me explain that, in my experience, the engagement parties or weddings I get invited to are in spring.
September always reminds me of a spring trip I took with a buddy down to Kievits Kroon, just an hour outside Johannesburg, on the outskirts of Pretoria, for a weekend get-away. It was an ideal destination because the plan was to save petrol by not driving too far while still travelling somewhere I’d never before experienced. Kievtis Kroon is a country Estate, with vintage Dutch-styled accommodation, a spa and conference centre. The ambience reminded me a little of Franschoek in the Cape and I’ve heard it has been dubbed the “The winelands in Gauteng” because of this. The building style looks like what you’d see in the Cape wine lands. My intention was just to see and experience something different in Gauteng. My friend and I discovered that this is one of the most popular destinations for wedding proposals. Mostly, these are done over dinner in one of the restaurants on the property. We were enjoying an early supper when the man at the table next to us dropped down on one knee and proposed to his lady. This happened again after half an hour at another table, as we were tucking into our dessert. And later, while we enjoyed after dinner drinks. And again the following night. This time the gentleman had the table decorated with rose petals and candles. One couple were even serenaded with a violin. I’d never witnessed a live proposal before that night, never mind more than one. What was interesting was that even though the end result was the same, they were all so different. All this romance was so overwhelming, I regretted asking my female friend to accompany me, and maybe it was a bit of envy at being single. Either way, I understood why couples would choose this hidden getaway to propose to their significant other. The estate goes out of its way to accommodate proposals and couples’ activities. The luscious gardens just seem endless, with well pruned hedges, roses and spaces that are ideal for picnics and a proposal and couples pictures, even allowing for an outdoor braai at the pool area. For those of us who weren’t getting proposed to, the spa, with an emphasis on wellness, is ideal for relaxation and getting into a mentally peaceful space. Treatments are not rushed because guests are usually checked into one of the 142 rooms that vary in style and pricing. The venue also offers tours for tourists who aren’t familiar with the area, or a round of golf at one of the golf courses nearby. Other activities include horse riding, hiking or a tour of the Lesedi Cultural Village. If you’re a food lover, the buffet breakfast isn’t something you’ll want to miss. The estate was 2017 winner of the World Luxury hotel awards and the winner of the Luxury Travel Guide Global awards 2016. It lives up to these accolades and, once you’ve experienced the estate, even if you’re not there to propose or be proposed to, it’s a decent short getaway.
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E-mail: reservations@kievitskroon.co.za Website: www.kievitskroon.co.za