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Drostdy Hotel: changing lives through hospitality training

4/4/2018

12 Comments

 
Stretch's Court, Drostdy Hotel, Graaff-Reinet
By Roxanne Reid
Visit the Drostdy Hotel in Graaff-Reinet to relax and explore luxurious historic spaces in South Africa’s Karoo heartland. Uncover a secret weapon of socially responsible tourism that is changing lives through hospitality training and you'll realise why your holiday here makes a difference.

In Graaff-Reinet, history goes back a long way – and the hotel is no different. Although such a beautiful and relaxed space today, the Drostdy Hotel hasn’t always been a hotel. It was designed by Louis Thibault, modified by local tradesmen when they built it between 1804 and 1806, and served as a residence for the local magistrate until 1847. 
The Drostdy Hotel on Church Street, Graaff-Reinet
In 1878 it became Kromm’s Drostdy Hotel. Although it has been a hotel for all of the intervening 140 years, if you look at old photos in the cigar lounge, you’ll see that by 1885 it had been altered to a double storey with a Victorian façade and remained so in 1965.

The Oude Meester Group bought it in 1975 and, with the collaboration of Historical Homes of South Africa, restored it to its original Cape Dutch style. It was declared a national monument in 1987. In 2013/14 it underwent another refurbishment to produce what we see today.

​When you stay over, you’ll be joining a Who’s Who of visitors that includes 19th century naturalist-artist William Burchell, Queen Elizabeth II and Nelson Mandela.
Stretch's Court, Drostdy Hotel, Graaff-Reinet
The Drostdy Hotel today
Most guests nowadays stay in the restored buildings in Stretch’s Court that were once houses for freed slaves. The gaily coloured doors and shutters along a cobbled street are a photographer’s delight.

​Inside, our room was a sophisticated but relaxing, with a king-size bed, two armchairs, writing desk, air con, flat-screen TV and coffee-maker. Décor touches included botanical prints on the walls, animal skins on the floor, and a springbok skull above the bed (not usually my favourite décor object, but it rounded out the African flora and fauna theme). 
Graaff-Reinet accommodation - interior of one of the rooms, Drostdy Hotel
​I loved the large bathroom with black-and-white checkered floor, his and hers basins, large freestanding bath – with plug removed to encourage water saving in this water-sparse area – and huge shower. 
Bathroom at the Drostdy Hotel
Outside the back door was a small patio overlooking a patch of garden where we could sit with a glass of wine and decompress at the end of a busy day. 
Drostdy Hote, Graaff-Reinet accommodation
​Across the cobbled street was a large swimming pool. There are also rooms in Kromm’s Court and the Ferreira Precinct, each with its own pool.
Swimming pool, Drostdy Hotel
Ferreira Precinct, Drostdy Hotel
Ferreira's Precinct
If you can pull yourself away from the peace of your garden suite, there are lots of magnificent spaces to explore in the main part of the hotel, including a number of lounges and sitting areas, wine cellar and art gallery. 
Lounge, Drostdy Hotel Graaff-Reinet
My favourite was dubbed the ‘cigar lounge’ and had a humidor, but since there were no smokers when I visited, I’ll always think of it as the library. There were comfy leather sofas and bookcases stuffed with books about the Karoo, Africa, natural history, Karoo food, political activist Robert Sobukwe (who was born in Graaff-Reinet), and more. The highpoint was the bookcase ladder, handy for getting to the top shelves and the essence of any well-stocked library.
Cigar lounge at the Drostdy Hotel
Wander the reception areas for an infusion of antiques and remembrances of the past with a chilled contemporary feel. Walk the gardens to appreciate the sculptures, landscaping and magnificent grapevine tunnel. 
Cheetah sculpture in the garden of the Drostdy Hotel
Grapevine tunnel, Drostdy Hotel
Sit on the patio of the De Camdeboo restaurant to enjoy lunch, or book for dinner inside among honeyed wood and leather, and a gorgeous backlit wine cabinet. 
Patio, De Camdeboo restaurant, Drostdy Hotel
Inside the Drostdy Hotel restaurant
​Visit the elegant Drostdy Hotel Spa for a treat – anything from the usual mani-pedi and facials to pampering therapeutic massages and body wraps.
Drostdy Hotel Spa
Drostdy Hotel Spa
Lots to do in Graaff-Reinet
While you enjoy your Graaff-Reinet accommodation, remember that there’s lots to see and do in and around the town, which is South Africa’s fourth-oldest and has more than 200 national monuments. Visit some of the museums, restaurants and coffee shops, marvel at the ornate Dutch Reformed church that dominates the main street, drive through the Camdeboo National Park surrounding the town to enjoy the natural scenery and wildlife, or visit Desolation Valley where columns of dolerite rock climb 120 metres from the valley floor. (Read my post about 12 things to do in Graaff-Reinet.)
Valley of Desolation, Camdeboo National Park,  Graaff-Reinet
Desolation Valley
Responsible tourism brought to life through training
Everything about the Drostdy Hotel is understated elegance, but it’s gratifying to note that it’s a five-star luxury with a heart. That’s because the historic hotel works with the SA College for Tourism and Peace Parks to give opportunities to many underprivileged rural women who want a leg up into the hospitality business.

Each year, donors sponsor some 90-100 young women from underprivileged backgrounds in rural areas to attend a year-long course in tourism at the SA College for Tourism in Graaff-Reinet. The Drostdy Hotel also ploughs profits back into the college.
Stretch's Court, Drostdy Hotel Karoo
​Established in 2001 by Dr Anton Rupert when he was chairman of the Peace Parks Foundation, the college teaches these young women the skills they need to work in a lodge or guesthouse. A sister programme offers young men (and recently a few women) training in wildlife tracking.

After a careful selection process spearheaded by Peace Parks, hospitality students learn all the skills required to work front of house, housekeeping, table service and as assistant chefs. They also learn general skills like costing and budgeting, and life skills like emotional intelligence. ‘It’s a socio-economic upliftment programme where we aim to build self worth and give these youngsters a chance to earn an income for their families,’ says executive director Andre Kilian, who is like a proud father when he talks of the low drop-out rate of 1-2%.
Drostdy Hotel restaurant, where socially responsible tourism teaches table service to hospitality training students
​Each year about 30% of students come from other SADC countries, the rest from rural parts around South Africa. A total of 1576 hospitality learners (12 of them men) have graduated since 2001, with a further 176 trainees graduating from the tracker academy.

Each hospitality graduate then does a year-long internship or learnership programme with one of the programme’s partners. These include the Drostdy Hotel, Thornybush Lodge, Londolozi, Singita and Tsogo Sun. The interns and learners get a small stipend as well as food and lodging.
Bacl of the historic Drostdy Hotel building
The Drostdy takes the top 30 learners, mentoring them in all aspects of running a hotel. After that, they’re guaranteed a job with one of the college’s partner lodges and hotels. In a country with such a high unemployment rate, that alone is a huge boon. Kilian says about 60-70% of them go to five-star establishments, the rest to four- and three-star hotels and lodges.
Patio of one of the rooms at Stretch's Court, Drostdy Hotel, Graaff-Reinet
Changing lives and building dreams
When you stay at the Drostdy Hotel, talk to the gaggle of interns and you’ll hear about how they value the ‘huge opportunity’ and what a great experience it is. ‘I feel as if a door has opened for me,’ says Janet Matthee, who is happy to be helping to run front of house at present, but hoping to secure a learnership in August that will bring her one step closer to her dream of being a pastry chef.

Graduates of this programme have opened their own guest houses or coffee shops. One is head of housekeeping at a five-star Cape Town hotel. Others are working on cruise ships or in far-flung places like England, Europe, Dubai and Hong Kong.
Hospitality training students participating in socially responsible tourism at the Drostdy Hotel
Perhaps one of the most exciting things for the students is a competition in which the top two students go to Italy to work in a guesthouse in Portofino for three months. After that, the owner takes them on a tour of cities like Rome, Milan and Florence to widen their horizons – probably not something a schoolgirl from an underprivileged rural background in South Africa might have imagined was possible.

This is responsible tourism at its finest – not just training underprivileged rural people but teaching them the power of dreams, whether it’s to support their family by working in a lodge in a rural area or to travel the world to gain experience.

Isn't it great to know that simply by staying at the Drostdy Hotel, you’re helping to support such a life-changing upliftment project?

Like it? Pin this image! 
Visit the Drostdy Hotel in Graaff-Reinet in South Africa's Karoo and discover how socially responsible tourism is changing lives through hospitality training. Find out more about this historic Graaff-Reinet accommodation and the Drostdy Hotel restaurant. #Karoo #travel #africa
Visit the Drostdy Hotel in Graaff-Reinet in South Africa's Karoo and discover how socially responsible tourism is changing lives through hospitality training. Find out more about this historic Graaff-Reinet accommodation and the Drostdy Hotel restaurant. #Karoo #travel #africa
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Copyright © Roxanne Reid - No words or photographs on this site may be used without permission from roxannereid.co.za
12 Comments
Sharon Weston
5/4/2018 08:52:41 pm

What an interesting and picturesque hotel. I love books so that beautiful library looks awesome. If I was single that's my idea of a perfect bedroom!
After reading your blog I looked up the upgrade it had in the 1880's
What an improvement Rupert made.

Reply
Roxanne
5/4/2018 08:56:18 pm

It's lovely and different from the norm, Sharon. Yes, no doubt the Victorians thought it was cool back in those days but to my mind bringing back the original Cape Dutch facade was a much better idea.

Reply
tany link
7/4/2018 10:42:17 am

SA has provided some of the most cosy and gorgeous places I've ever stayed, and this hotel definietly looks like it wouldn't disappoint. It is fantastic that it is also providing opportunities for young people and long may it continue!

Reply
Roxanne
7/4/2018 03:21:29 pm

Thanks for reading, Tany. The juxtaposition of 5-star luxury and socioeconomic upliftment for underprivileged women works amazingly well.

Reply
Anna link
7/4/2018 11:44:03 am

My work is originally in the social field so helping underprivileged people is something I feel strongly about. It is really wonderful what they have come up with. Both the idea and the execution. The place looks just beautiful. But perhaps even more I like the ideology behind it and the good that it gives to people.

Reply
Roxanne
7/4/2018 03:23:06 pm

I agree with you, Anna, about the idea and the execution being great. It's so cool to see the excitement these young people have for the opportunity they have been given - and of course to hear about the success stories of those who have flown the nest.

Reply
April link
7/4/2018 06:27:18 pm

Wow - what an amazing story. Not only does the hotel look incredible (I could move into that bathroom tomorrow!), but I love that it supports and encourages women to build a better life for themselves. And it sounds like the program is a huge success. We need more stories like this in the world. Thank you for sharing.

Reply
Roxanne
9/4/2018 11:28:34 am

Thanks for reading, April, and for your thoughtful comments. I also love companies that help other people through education; it makes such a difference.

Reply
Gigi
12/4/2018 07:34:21 pm

We were in Graaf-Reinet last month and yes it's a place that merits more than a one night stop. Everyone goes up to desolation valley and might have a game drive in Mount Camdeboo national park but there are also 4x4 game drives like Driekoppie in another part of the park where you have a view for at least 100 km and you are all alone, totally alone. Amazing! After that you really know why you are indulging yourseld at the Drostdy spa. And in town you must not miss the cactus nursery which has about 7000 different sorts a passion that started about 30-40 years ago...

Reply
Roxanne
14/4/2018 08:20:06 pm

I agree that the 4x4 trails in Camdeboo National Park are worth exploring, Gigi, and we loved our visit to the cactus nursery too. The first seeds were planted in 1960, so that's more than 50 years ago! What a character the owner is.

Reply
nokwanda
12/6/2020 02:19:06 am

Wow, nice story but please help i would like to apply for the learnership , how can i apply?

Reply
Roxanne
12/6/2020 09:46:10 am

Hi Nokwanda, there is a link to the SA Tourism College website in the copy above, but you can also try this email address: ppfcomms@peaceparks.org

Reply

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    I'm an independent travel writer and book editor with a passion for Africa - anything from African travel, people, safari and wildlife to adventure, heritage, road-tripping and slow travel.
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