Fordoun Hotel and Spa

Converted from old farmstead sheds, the 14 luxury suites at Fordoun Hotel & Spa are spacious and colourful, each with a different colour palette and artwork. All come complete with their own ensuite which includes a bath and a shower, and all have their own mini bar, so guests can unwind after a long day with a nightcap. Exposed brick walls add rustic charm to the suites, and they are filled with bright, natural light through wide windows. Comfortable king-size beds sit in the centre of the rooms, covered in crisp bed linens and plush pillows.

The Crane Room

• This room is bright and spacious and has a colour theme of blue and white

Panorama’s Palace

• The room has a light grey colour scheme with dark wooden furniture

The Secret Garden

• This room is decorated in a style which highlights the colours of the garden which surrounds it

The William Nkabinde Room

• This room features cream interiors with gingham features

The Aviary

• A modern room which celebrates the surrounding birdlife

The Tree House

• This room is surrounded by trees which were planted in 1850

The Bushmen Room

• A bright colour palette with dark features such as the furniture and cushions

The Nguni Room

• Named after traditional African cattle, this room features tasteful cow print fabrics

The Fishing Room

• Features artwork of Trout

The Romance Room

• Elegant and cosy, this room is perfect for honeymooners

The Conservation Room

• A rustic room dedicated to the achievements of conservation within the local community

The Dairy Parlour

• Features a white wicker style bed, and a cosy sofa with features of green

The Indian Room

• Inspired by the rich tones and colourful fabrics of India

The William Taylor Room

• A classic room that honours William Taylor, the first permanent settler at Fordoun

The Deluxe Dam Facing Suites are converted stables of the original farm, and are spacious and bright, with high ceilings and wide windows. All the suites come with an ensuite bathroom which comes complete with a bathtub and shower, and the suite includes underfloor heating, so guests will never be chilly. A mini-bar is featured in the room and allows guests to spend time on their private patio area, gazing over the sparkling dam and rolling grasslands, with a refreshing tipple to hand.

Rose Room

• This room is perfect for a romantic getaway, with a colour theme of red, cream, and white

Battlefields Room

• This is a classic and elegant room which features a crystal chandelier

Berg Room

• This is a cosy room with a light blue and white colour scheme, and soft draped curtains

The Superior Mountain Facing Suites are the newest suites at Fordoun, thus have been built with luxury and comfort in mind. Each suite contains a comfortable king-size bed which is covered in crisp bed linens and plush pillows, an open plan lounge area, and an ensuite bathroom. In the lounge area, guests will find a fireplace which offers a warm spot to cosy around on a chilly evening. The ensuite bathroom comes complete with a bathtub and indoor walk-in shower, with a unique outdoor shower placed on the private balcony.

Also to be found on the private balcony are sun loungers which offer guests the perfect comfort for an afternoon siesta. Guests can unwind on the balcony after a long day spent exploring, with a drink from their mini-bar, watching as the sun sets over the luscious rolling grasslands, and distant, towering Drakensberg Mountains.

The Flower Suite

• This suite is modern and chic, and is decorated with original works of art by Marion Lowe

The Sunbird

• This suite is classic yet quirky, filled with bright light and artwork by David Wieldon

The ‘George and Nora’ Suite

• With a classical interior design, this suite is colourful and comfortable

The Midlands Suite

• This suite is colourful and bright, an eclectic mix of fabrics and colours

Ideal for a fun family getaway, the self-catering chalets at Fordoun Hotel & Spa are modern, spacious, and full of bright light. While these operate separately from the hotel, guests are still more than welcome to use the hotel’s facilities, and dinners can be booked in advance at the hotel’s restaurant. With 9 chalets in total, all arranged around a ‘village green’ guests can choose from a three bedroomed chalet, a two bedroomed chalet, or a one-bedroom chalet, where bedrooms come complete with ensuite bathrooms.

The chalets come fully equipped, with all necessary items such as kitchen equipment, coal for the fire and bed linen, so all guests need to bring is food, clothes, any personal toiletries, and spare towels. Guests can unwind in the comfortable lounge or enjoy a family dinner around the rustic dining table while gazing out over the village green and sweeping views beyond.

Guests can make their way to the Skye Bistro Restaurant for mealtimes. Food is prepared by professional and passionate chefs with an emphasis on using fresh and locally sourced ingredients. Guests can enjoy a variety of food here, from filling farm breakfasts and light lunches, to delicious dinners.

Before or after dinner guests can make their way to the restaurant’s verandah, to gaze over the rolling grass fields as the sun sets, enjoying a glass of fine wine, from the hotel’s personal selection of over 63 local estate wines.

There are various activities which are on offer to guests of Fordoun Hotel and Spa. Surrounding the hotel there are walking and running trails, suitable for guests of all levels of athletic experience, where guests can explore the local flora and fauna on their own two feet. Guests can also partake in an afternoon spent fly fishing, relaxing and taking in your stunning surroundings while waiting for a lucky catch.

There is a gym and pool on-site for guests who wish to enjoy a workout or relaxing afternoon in the sparkling waters, and mountain bikes can be hired for an exciting way to explore the surroundings. Clay pigeon shooting is offered if guests wish to pre-book, or a slightly quieter afternoon spent bird watching can be enjoyed from the privacy of your own verandah.

For guests who wish to indulge in some self-care, the award-winning Fordoun Spa is the place to go. Unwind here with a variety of treatments to choose from, from aromatherapy, hydrotherapy, massage treatments, to facials, body scrubs, reflexology, and waxing. Feel all your worries and tensions ease away under the hands of professional and friendly treatment staff.

Surrounded by sweeping South African landscapes guests can head out to explore further afield if they wish to. There are various activities which can be arranged at an extra cost. A guided drive to the magnificent Drakensberg Mountains and Sani’s Pass can be arranged or a horse riding safari can be arranged, both are unique and exhilarating ways to immerse yourself in the surrounding nature.

For thrill-seekers, a hot air balloon ride can be booked; soar high above the wilderness for a unique birds-eye perspective and gaze over the uninterrupted horizons. There is also much history to be explored in the surrounding areas, take a trip to the infamous battlefields commemorating the combat between the Zulu and Dutch in the nineteenth century, or travel to the Mandela Capture Site and enlighten yourself on the life and arrest of Nelson Mandela.

In the midlands guests can enjoy a canopy tour of the Karkloof Nature Reserve, making your way through the reserve on a series of wooden walkways and zip lines. Guests can also journey on the renowned Midlands Meander tourist route, which will take you through the beautiful midlands.

Guests who wish to experience the local culture can take part in a cultural village tour to Thendela. A full day’s experience, guests will follow a local guide who will walk them into the village. Guests can meet members of the local community, including the local healer. This is an important activity for those guests who wish to leave having learnt more about traditional life in the local communities.