Durban - Whenever you walk through a door and the first thing that catches the eye is the sea, you know that it’s going to be a pleasant stay. Only, at five-star Endless Horizons, they go beyond pleasant.
Perched on Umhlanga Rocks Drive, in leafy Durban North, the boutique hotel is a cheeky surprise for those looking for some relaxation close to the city. Once you drive inside the secret gate, it’s like you have entered an entirely new world where time is measured by the number of sundowners you can have on the glistening infinity pool deck, as you count the ships crawling to the harbour.
The clean lines and natural touches in the reception immediately lead your eye to the pool area, and beyond to the ocean. It is already a popular conference venue, capable of hosting up to 60 people.
We were told that the hotel also hosted intimate wedding receptions, and it was easy to see how the understated elegance of the place, and that view, could get the romance going in anyone.
The romantic gestures don’t stop at the pool either. Once we had met Janine, the friendly general manager, we nipped upstairs – were blown away by the view from our deluxe room – and found our room had been given the “Romantic Turndown” , with a cheese platter and chilled wine on the cosy balcony the perfect accompaniment to the sunset. Had we been a little earlier, we would have also been able to tuck into the High Tea menu, which is served at the pool deck.
The accommodation consists of 10 double rooms, and then two family rooms for a family of four. We didn’t see any children running about, but that’s maybe because Endless Horizons came across as a perfect getaway for just two.
A stay there feels like you are miles out of the city – even though you are barely 10 minutes from the city centre. My girlfriend and I had been desperate for a quick break, and our stay at Endless Horizons coincided with the John Legend concert.
We skipped dinner to get to the concert in time but winced as we saw the intimate setting, with candles, that awaited those who were staying in and enjoying talented chef Greg Henderson’s cuisine.
Once back from the music, we were welcomed by the enormous, crisply laid out bed – the perfect patch to pass out on. The bathroom, meanwhile, was big enough for another guest bed.
The sun dancing off the ocean and sneaking in through the curtains the next morning reminded us that an al fresco breakfast awaited.
Tender after a night out, my girlfriend opted for the fresh smoothie, and then couldn’t resist the freshly baked croissants. I was ravenous after skipping supper and tucked into the eggs Benedict, then topped up with a fresh muffin, or two. With the morning breeze kissing your face, and the pool daring you to jump in, there are certainly worse ways to start the day than breakfast at Endless Horizons.
With fuel in the belly, we had to dash back to the realities of the city, turning down the attentive staff’s offer to enjoy a drink on the deck, with a newspaper or a magazine.
The Endless Horizons staff are also more than happy to provide for guests for an afternoon. The packed picnic to take to the nearby beaches on the North Coast – of which there are plenty to choose from – is full of goodies and yet more lovely wine.
If, for some bizarre reason, a man must have a few hours to himself, the challenging Beachwood Country Club is a stone’s throw away, as is Gateway Shopping Centre. But that would be sacrilege, as one goes to Endless Horizons for tranquillity and pampering, away from the vagaries of golf and traffic.
It’s easy to see how Endless Horizons got its billing as a perfect getaway, tucked just outside the city. The views are endless, and the attention to detail ensures that you drive away feeling completely refreshed.
l Call: 031 564 0360, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.endlesshorizons.co.za
Sunday Tribune