Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Travelling back in time
Audacia Manor Boutique Hotel, a beautifully restored Colonial mansion built in 1928, will soon celebrate its 90th milestone. Liam
Karabo Joyce experienced this gem in
the heart of Durban...
IMAGINE a boutique hotel so exclusive, it has only 10 rooms. A hotel so beautiful, it has 180-degree views of the Durban skyline and Indian Ocean. A hotel so personal that every staff member knows your name before you arrive.
Now stop imagining – that is what you get at the Audacia Manor Boutique Hotel. One of a few 5 star hotels in Durban, this property does not only take you back in time once you enter the doors, it has a history, too.
Reflecting the gracious lifestyle of the 1920s, this beautiful, restored colonial mansion is one of Durban’s historical structures, built for the Chapman family in 1928, inspired by architect William Morris. On the slopes of the quiet suburb of Morningside, overlooking the city and the Indian Ocean, the hotel is minutes away from a variety of attractions.
Ten spacious rooms are individually decorated to offer luxury and style with kingsized beds and fully-appointed bathrooms, with separate showers. All rooms have air-conditioning, heating, a mini-bar and satellite television, with a variety of DStv channels.
The Manor House rooms have balconies providing 180-degree views of the city and the ocean, while the Coach House rooms offer private courtyards, indoor and outdoor showers, and a jacuzzi. The hotel, which is also under new ownership, has had another facelift.
When I arrived, I was greeted by Phindile who helped me check before escorting me to my executive room.
I was initially booked into one of their Manor rooms (in the main house) but general manager Shannon Naidoo upgraded my accommodation to an executive room. There are four rooms in the Coach House, which are next to the pool area and main building.
When Phindile showed me my room, I felt as if I entered a bygone era. I am usually very uncomfortable when I stay in hotels that are not as modern as I want them to be in terms of their decor and design.
However, with Audacia Manor, I found its colonial style extremely beautiful. The room was fitted with a classic Victorian four-poster kingsize bed, draped in rich brocades and silks to provide a true feeling of sumptuousness and a sense of grandeur from centuries ago. Double vaulted wooden ceilings and 100-year-old Oregon pine floors provided the setting.
The private courtyard – with the Jacuzzi, indoor and outdoor shower (all of which I used) – was spacious and the vines on the walls reminded me of France.
One can’t help but note that the utmost attention to detail was taken when putting these rooms together.
Being a small boutique hotels means there are not as many on site facilities as you would get at a bigger hotel, however, the staff and management at the hotel have a number of service providers and go out of their way to ensure their guests enjoy Durban.
Shannon suggested and then organised a trip to the Mindgame Escape Room in uMhlanga for my travel partner. I must admit that I was a bit apprehensive to spend my Friday afternoon doing something I had not done before but I am so glad I did go.
Mindgame Escape really is the ultimate in mystery and adventure with a twist. You have 60 minutes to gather clues and solve puzzles in order to solve the mystery and escape the room. The rooms all have different themes, like the Sherlock Holmes Baker Street room, which I thoroughly enjoyed and the Forgotten Temple. The Mindgame experience is great for friends or lovers.
After trying to escape the room, which we did not, it was off to Durban’s famous authentic Indian restaurant, Mali’s.
The restaurant is less than five minutes away from the hotel. I have never had such delicious food which was authentically Indian. I felt as if I had been transported to New Delhi.
The next day, after having breakfast on the beautiful terrace of the hotel, I decided to take advantage of the beautiful weather and go down to Wilson’s Wharf for a boat ride. Again, Shannon was more than happy to assist me and enlisted the help of CS Chauffeur Drive. My driver arrived promptly in a Mercedes-Benz and, on the drive to the wharf, dropped some interesting facts about Durban and kept me entertained.
The boat ride was great and it’s alway great to look at Durban from a different angle but what came next was even better. Back at the hotel (and in my room), I enjoyed a fantastic spa treatment from Shamla Rajoo of Healing Handz, a mobile spa. Shamla’s level of professionalism was incredible and she hit all the right places with her magic hands.
After my massage I enjoyed some sundowners by the pool where Sli ensured my glass was never empty.
Looking out at Durban while the sun was setting behind me was gorgeous. You never have to worry about not getting space to sit at in the garden or pool lounge because it’s that exclusive.
I dined at the hotel’s verandah bar and restaurant, which is just as good as all the other restaurants in the area. Sunday called for a champagne breakfast and a few laps in the pool while sunbathing.
While my stay was short, it was long enough for me to fall in love not only with the architecture and history, but with the service and staff.
Shannon is a real asset to this hotel and is always ensuring every guest is comfortable and happy.
A hotel that feels like home is always worth another visit.