Hailing from Kimberley, I’m no stranger to the endless stretches of beige, willowy grasses and the deceptively dangerous kameeldoring trees that accompany any South African road trip. What’s unfamiliar to me, however, is the rolling green hills and lush greenery that rolled past as my partner and I made our way down the R512 towards La Joya Lodge.
On the edge of the small town of Broederstroom in the foothills of the Magaliesberg Mountains, the lodge is just far enough from the urban sprawl of Johannesburg and Pretoria to feel as if you are on a December holiday, rather than a weekend away. The hour-long drive, which included Fourways’ usual Friday traffic, is generally a peaceful one, accompanied by the shadows of the clouds hitting the landscape and an occasional impatient taxi.
After a stop to sample some biltong from the Broederstroom Country Butchery, my partner was getting noticeably nervous as we followed the GPS up a narrow, potholed road. We stopped at a closed gate with a faded sign depicting a leopard. My partner asked if we were going camping. After a few giggles, a call to the lodge and the directions of a seasoned farmer, we realised we'd taken the wrong road and proceeded to the much wider, smoother tar road leading to our temporary home.
A PRIVATE PARADISE
Relieved that tents were not a necessary requirement, we checked in before being carted off, quite literally, by a smiling attendant who dropped us at the luxury chalet. La Joya boasts a variety of accommodation options with eight slightly more secluded luxury chalets, two executive suites, 24 hotel rooms and 14 family units. Up the stairs, the heavy wooden door opened onto a wide, tiled private patio, complete with two pool loungers, an intimate swimming pool and an incredible view of the open bushveld. For those worried about privacy, while you can peek onto a small part of the next chalet’s patio, the units are widely spaced and walled off on the one side.
The room was airy and spacious, with minimalist design details complementing the industrial concrete walls. The enormous bed was framed by wooden accents, with two towels folded into neat little flowers lying at its base. A luxuriously deep bath practically begs for a long relaxation session, while a little alcove inconspicuously contains an outdoor shower.
THE ULTIMATE TEST
After a quick nap, we made our way along winding paths to explore the grounds. Our way in had pointed to a petting zoo, a wellness centre and a zip line. The lodge is close to Hartbeespoort Dam with a wide variety of activities nearby, including the Monkey Sanctuary and the Lion & Safari Park. La Joya itself also has hiking, biking and jogging trails.
We meandered towards the main building. The thatch-roofed structure is home to the reception, two restaurants, a conference venue and a bar. Preparing for a beautiful sunset, we moseyed upstairs to the bar for a drink and a game of pool. After a frustratingly long game, it was dinner time.
The restaurant has an extensive menu, offering everything from sushi to steak and a wine pairing for each. I am by no means an expert on the culinary arts — most chefs would be horrified at how “done” I like my meat — but my fillet was easily the most delicious and tender I have eaten. My partner's pizza was just as mouthwatering. With magies vol, it was time to ogies toe.
A PUDDLE OF A PERSON
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The hotel also has a spa, jacuzzi, sauna and gym. I had booked us in for a full body, deep-tissue massage and the spa rose to the challenge. Once we had changed into slippers and gowns, we were led to the softly lit, gently chiming room for the massages.
Forty five minutes later, I was a puddle on the massage bed while my partner, who had never had a full-body massage, winced and sleepily noted that he should have done more manscaping. Covered head-to-toe in an earthy yet refreshing aromatherapy oil, we were ushered out of the room and handed glasses of chilled sparkling wine. Sitting in the Wellness Centre’s garden with bubbles in hand, my perfectly pummelled muscles relaxed into the lawn chair. It was the kind of peace you could never achieve amidst the taxi-hooting, three-lane packed traffic of the city.
RATES: From R2,500 per couple in a hotel room with breakfast. See la-joya.co.za for more rates and information.
• Krug was a guest of La Joya Lodge.
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