It was pouring with rain and I had just returned from three days at Afrikaburn, broken and exhausted. Taking advantage of a winter special at the five-star boutique guesthouse, Abalone House in Paternoster was just what the doctor ordered.
After a grey drive on the R27 from Cape Town, we arrived just in time for afternoon tea: fruit cake, scones, fish burgers and cheese sandwiches, washed down with pots of rooibos, as the rain poured down the windows.
Abalone House couldn’t be more welcoming on a cold autumn day. It’s eclectic and homely – it’s kind of like staying with an eccentric uncle. There are 10 suites built around a courtyard and swimming pool in that Paternoster-whitewash-fisherman-cottage style. Low ceilings, plush furniture, pots of bonsai, Tretchikoff prints, quirky decorations and orchids make for a quirky feel, with lots of character. I stay rather a lot of hotels in my line of work, most of which look almost the same – it was such a treat to stay somewhere that was so personalised and different.
The inclement weather was actually perfect for a cosy night away – our room had underfloor heating, DStv, DVDs, and the warmest duvet imaginable. The afternoon was spent (rather indulgently) drinking sherry in bed, watching Kill Bill.
We only had to walk about four metres from our room to the cosy dining room for dinner at Saffron Restaurant. The hearty winter food, accompanied by a bottle of Pinot Noir and heated by a roaring fire, was delicious. We feasted on fennel soup, fish stew, apple crumble and a cheese plate, followed by Amarulas in front of the fireplace at the bar.
After a big buffet breakfast and cheese-stuffed omelette the next morning, we headed back to Cape Town, feeling entirely rejuvenated (this is going to have to be my annual Afrikaburn-recovery method). We missed out on the rooftop jacuzzi, swimming pool and walks on the beach, but delicious food, lots of sherry, fireplaces and a cosy luxurious room definitely made up for it.
Abalone House
Abalone House is a boutique five-star guesthouse in the West Coast village of Paternoster, which offers 10 suites.
Abalone House is offering a special winter package of R995 a person sharing, which includes an overnight stay, breakfast and indulgent afternoon tea. The special is available until the end of August 2012 and is subject to availability. Quote the reference code WINTER002 when booking.
Contact
Tel: 022 752 2044
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.abalonehouse.co.za
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