•••
Normally, a
six-hour drive would send me moaning and whining, but when you consider the
drive is through some of South Africa’s most beautiful landscapes, it’s really
a treat. If you even mention that
you are headed toward The Garden Route to a South African, immediately their
posture relaxes and a look of fondness glazes over their eyes as they advise
you how lucky you are, how beautiful it is. And right they are.
The scenery is
utterly distracting, borderline dangerous and is constantly changing. One minute you are carving a path
through mountains, and the next you are surrounded by golden farm fields. It’s stunning.
Lake Pleasant Living hugs a mountainside lake in the Goukamma Nature and Marine Reserve. It’s location is tranquility
embodied. It peacefully demands
relaxation, and the hotel does everything it can to reinforce the message.
•••
The vibe at Lake Pleasant Living is less hotel and more lodge. It’s labyrinth of corridors, high ceilings and spacious rooms
are lit with dim lights and decorated with vintage photographs and deep colors.
The whole place has a vintage vibe
about it, which I dig. If I am
lodging lakeside I want it to feel rustic, and this feels like you are staying on a lake.
My suite is comprised
of two large rooms. The first
contains a small kitchen, guest bathroom, dining table, lounge and desk. There is a large painting with personal
light hanging on the wall. A
painting above the sofa matches it’s colors perfectly. The lounge area opens up to a large
back porch complete with sun chairs, a garden, white table and expansive view
of the lake.
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| My back patio complete with amazing view! |
Back inside, mahogany
double doors open up to the bedroom.
A sitting area and desk are next to my enormous king sized bed. A set of saloon-style swinging doors
leads to the bathroom with separate shower, bath and toilet. The only thing I don’t agree with are
the brown colored towels (this is promptly forgiven as soon as I slip on the
softest bathrobe I have ever worn).
Can I wear this to dinner, please?
•••
Speaking of
dinner, Bistro On The Lake is the in-house restaurant boasting fresh fish and a
carefully thought-out wine menu.
Mornings bring a long breakfast buffet, but I opted to order from the
hot menu. Try the scrambled eggs
with parmesan, served with smoked haddock.
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| Breakfast in the Bistro |
I ate as many of
my meals on the balcony as possible.
Nothing on the menu can beat this view. However, the fish and chips, a white wine, and a sunset over
the lake make an absolutely perfect trifecta. If you aren’t sure which wine to drink, just ask the
enthusiastic restaurant manager, Ryle.
He set up a mini-wine tasting for me one night in an attempt to help me
select the perfect red wine to pair with my beef medallions.
•••
Most of the
activities in the area are catered towards good weather conditions, so I
panicked over the thought of a wasted day. Thankfully, the reception has created a list of ideas for
rainy days. I decided to spend the
day slipping further into relaxation at the spa.
The spa was a
quick walk on the garden path winding from my back porch, but since it was
raining, I chose the alternate route through reception. Overlooking the infinity pool and
sprawling lake, the spa is yet another expression of tranquility. Containing a steam room, sauna, gym
equipment, treatment rooms and dipping pool, this spa is a one stop rainy day
remedy! The best part? It’s a designated “Quiet Area” (translation: No kids
allowed. Don’t worry they have their own playground and water area.), so you
are guaranteed to have an uninterrupted experience. I’ve never been so thankful for a rainy day.
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| Relaxing view from the "Quiet Zone" |
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