A good friend of mine recently celebrated her birthday and was in need of a quick getaway. What better way to fulfil her birthday wishes than to treat her to a night away at African Pride’s Mount Grace Country House & Spa, Magaliesburg. There was a reason behind my generosity though. I’ve heard from people how gorgeous and relaxing the place is, plus I’m having a mid-year crisis and feel exhausted. So, we drove to Magaliesburg and enjoyed a few things at the hotel.
ARRIVAL
From the outside, the hotel has a tranquil feel. You immediately feel like you’re out of Johannesburg even though you are only 45 minutes away. While driving there, we welcomed the change in scenery as the hustle and bustle of the city made way for a breathtakingly serene landscape. On arrival, we were welcomed with some champagne – what a way to kick off your arrival! After checking in, you are driven in golf carts, luckily, our room was far so every time we got a ride, we got to see the peaceful place. You feel your body relaxing and you feel calm. It’s a great place to go to if you have been dealing with a lot of stress. It’s central yet quiet, which makes it a winning location, plus the bonus: traffic won’t keep you awake at night.
ROOMS
Soft sheets and the comfy beds allow peaceful sleep; free unlimited WiFi and a flat-screen TV kept us connected. The guest rooms reflect modern contemporary decor, old-world luxury and a dash of bold brilliance. Peace and privacy prevails here. The rooms each have a balcony and some rooms have their own private pools, which is great because your body insecurities will only be exposed to your partner. But the rooms without private pools aren’t bad either because there’s a pool in almost every corner you take. Because it’s winter, we chose to bask in the heated pool. Considering the stereotypes about black people and water, this is great for us then.
FOOD
There are 2 restaurants to choose from, Rambling Vine, which features seasonal menus and a wine list and Twist restaurant, which is the more laid back restaurant with a buffet. I indulged at Twist because I love buffets. I didn’t really enjoy dinner because they served the kind of food you can cook for yourself at home, ei: chicken curry, lamb chops etc., but the breakfast was out of this world. I would actually go back, just for breakfast.
PAMPERING
I received one of the best massages ever; though it was only 30 minutes, it was totally worth it. The spa has a gym, steam room, Jacuzzi, full service spa treatments and a floating pool. I didn’t try the floating pool because I was too scared, but I suggest you please try it because the pool has speakers underneath, which let out calming music and as you drift around on the water, you will feel calm and relaxed.
HIGHLIGHT
The hotel staff’s friendliness made a huge difference during our stay. I think being driven around in golf carts made me feel like a housewife, which I loved. The view from our room overlooking the magnificent views of the trees, mountains and valleys of Magaliesburg was definitely my highlight. I felt light and stress free. After our visit to Mount Grace Country House & Spa, I can safely say I’m in a better place and handling my stress better. Hopefully this will last for a while, but if it doesn’t, I guess I can always take a detour back.
WHY MOUNT GRACE COUNTRY HOUSE & SPA?
Whether you’re planning a wedding, honeymoon, couples retreat, a girls’ getaway, Mount Grace Country House & Spa won’t disappoint. The great location, elegant and cosy décor and friendly staff, together with the comfort and homely feel, make a perfect spot when you’re trying to get out of the busy city.
For more info on Mount Grace Country House & Spa, visit http://www.africanpridehotels.com/
