Durban - I’m a light sleeper – princess and the pea kinda thing – and don’t sleep well the first night in a new place.
But I would have, if not for the pneumonia “lite” I picked up after my last trip to a five-star lodge where I slept badly. Getting out of bed though, with the morning and mountains beckoning beyond the curtains, was a slight problem. I was just so comfy. And that is what I like about The Nest Drakensberg Resort Hotel. It’s comfy. The three-star establishment is not fancy, not grand and makes no such pretensions.
Accommodation is varied: single and double rondavels “nesting” in clusters among trees, flowering shrubs and flowers, single and double-storey mountain view rooms, premier garden rooms, and two executive suites – quite different from the rest. My mountain view room was simple and roomy. The queen size bed was, yes, comfy, there was loads of cupboard space, underfloor heating, excellent water pressure and, best of all, it was spotlessly clean and the French doors opened on to a stoep with great views.
The Nest is in the Central Berg, an hour from Pietermaritzburg on the banks of the Sterkspruit River, and it commands beautiful views of Cathkin Peak and Champagne Castle. You’re not right in the mountains but you are in the hub of many things to do. Horse riding, quad-biking, golf, hiking, canopy tours and much more are minutes away from the property.
The hotel offers its own range of activities: tennis, table tennis, bowls, a swimming pool, billiard and pool tables, etc, as well as pampering in The Berg Spa, which offers a range of indulgences.
But bowls is a biggie. The hotel has three greens and a smashing, modern clubhouse/conference centre which also houses two swish, massive suites upstairs.
The Nest is famous internationally for its award-winning championship greens – among the best in Africa apparently – with many national and international tournaments, greenkeeper seminars and coaching clinics taking place throughout the year. The coaching clinics are hosted by Proteas National Team coach Theuns Fraser, who lives at The Nest, and an international bowls coach, Dr Simon Botha.
Apart from carpet bowls as a child, I had never played and can’t say it’s ever topped my to-do list. Greenkeeper David Shabalala, at The Nest for 22 years, showed us the ropes. He chucked the white ball, picked up a bowl and plonked it a whisker away.
“Absolute” in bowls-speak and a hard act to follow – which we didn’t ... not for want of trying. Barefoot on a gloriously warm winter afternoon, surrounded by such beauty, we played for quite a time – and again the next morning. The perfect recuperative tonic, and fun.
After our afternoon game we freshened up before a drink in the cosy pub, and dinner. I had been told the food wasn’t good. I disagree. Like everything else about The Nest, it’s not fancy – simple, rustic – plain even – but tasty, varied and well prepared.
I can’t think of anywhere else you can get a multi-course dinner for R130 – and have seconds if your tummy can accommodate. Although The Nest does not cater for specific diets, you are sure to find something to your liking. If you let them know in advance, they’ll be their accommodating selves. The varied wine list was also very good value.
We only poked our heads inside the formal and TV lounges, though they would be inviting in cold weather, with the fires roaring. The weather was so unexpectedly warm, however, that we spent our time outdoors.
New owners Stuart and Shelley Longmore, who with manager Ernó De Clercqare, hard at work sprucing up the hotel rooms and grounds, assured us that this part of the ’Berg is much warmer than the south or the north.
With birder companion Rowan, we headed to Hippo Pool, a slow 20-minute walk (when you are with a birder) and on a bend of the river.
The pool is massive and a great spot for summer swimming after a hike along the river or a spin on the mountain bike track.
In winter, swims are all too brief, as was our stay.
Call 036 468 1068 and visit www.thenest.co.za
Adrian Rorvik, Sunday Tribune