Stay & Play at Hopewell Conservation Estate by Mantis
We’re often at a loss when faced with deciding where to go for a short break or weekend away.
Immediately thoughts turn to having to travel long distances or paying exorbitant prices for accommodation that is not that great.
However, not 20 minutes from the Port Elizabeth CBD, lies 2 500 hectares of nature reserve, stocked with indigenous game such as Eland, Mountain Zebra, Kudu, Red Hartebeest, Springbuck, Bushbuck, Giraffe and Mountain Reedbuck. There are also over 160 bird species found on the reserve.
The views are breath-taking, and the only sound you’ll hear is that of the bumbling brook running past the front of your house. The silence is magical.
The two Turaco Villas on the Hopewell Conservation Estate property are a recent addition to the Mantis Owners Collection, an exquisite collection of short-stay exclusive-use properties across the globe. All of the handpicked fully-staffed properties in the Mantis Owners Collection represent the finest examples of their kind and celebrate the culture, gastronomy, architecture and nature of the locations in which they are found.
These beautiful contemporary homes are tucked away close to a perennial stream, with Knysna Turacos (aka Knysna Loeries) frequently seen flying overhead or in the riverine thickets.
The villas are serviced daily on a bed and breakfast or self-catering basis, and the Hopewell Team is on hand to arrange exciting activities on and off the nature reserve.
On arrival at Hopewell, you are welcomed with bright smiles and warm, inviting personalities. The staff are clearly passionate about the estate and all it has to offer, and they are determined that their guests are given a truly world-class experience – from check-in to check-out!
You are settled into your accommodation and made to feel right at home, and it is obvious from the start that you will not want for anything during your stay.
We were fortunate enough to be invited to stay in what is currently known as House 4 – a modern, airy, double volume building that offers 4 beautiful bedrooms (3 en suite), a large open-plan dining room and living area with fireplace, 2 patios to take in the views, and an enormous kitchen with all the trimmings.
There are also stacking doors in the lounge area and along the back of the kitchen, which when opened, create a wonderful ‘tunnel’ of sorts through the house. This will be a delight in the middle of our African summer season – allowing for a wonderful flow of air throughout the building.
House 4 is beautifully appointed, with contemporary yet comfortable furnishings and luxurious linens and towels. The kitchen and dining room are well equipped with all the necessary mod cons, and there is a wonderful wine cellar under the house for those discerning connoisseurs – with racks built into the walls for your convenience.
Truly a home away from home.
Guests are spoilt when it comes to things to do during their stay. You can explore your surroundings through guided walks, self-guided mountain bike trails or horse safaris. Add-on packages at Nyosi Explorer Camp are also offered, while external activity packages can also be arranged – the most recent of which, the Bush to Beach Tour, is a must-do for any outdoor enthusiast – combining an outdoor excursion through the African Bush with the wonders of being out on the ocean and experiencing all it has to offer.
The silence at night is quite something! Suffice it to say that a good night’ sleep is non-negotiable!
Added to this is the deep darkness that comes after a spectacular sunset. This allows guests to enjoy remarkably unobstructed views of the night sky and the various constellations.
Staying at Hopewell definitely brings you back to nature and a slower, simpler lifestyle. It enables you to catch your breath, relax and unwind, and forces you to put down your gadgets and gizmos and take stock of your surroundings, your life and your friends and family.
It’s a fabulous place to reconnect on all levels, and the fresh air, sounds and sights of nature do the soul good – making it almost impossible to leave.
For booking enquiries:
Tel: 041 450 0381 | Email: reservations@hopewellconservation.co.za
Please note: some text copied from the Hopewell Conservation Estate by Mantis website