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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Visit the elegant Drostdy Hotel Spa for a treat – anything from the usual mani-pedi and facials to pampering therapeutic massages and body wraps.
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. (Watch out for a post about things to do in Graaff-Reinet later.)
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. (Watch out for a post about things to do in Graaff-Reinet later.)
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.
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.
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%.
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%.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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!
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Copyright © Roxanne Reid - No words or photographs on this site may be used without permission from roxannereid.co.za
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