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If you know me, you will know that I love getting out of the city and all the noise, hustle and bustle. I recently spent two days relaxing at the stunningly picturesque and peaceful Brahman Hills, located about a 4.5-hour drive from Johannesburg, along the quaint Midlands Meander.

This well-known wedding venue features unblemished views over rolling hills, large trees and farm dams, with Brahman cattle and wild buck roaming around, you honestly would be forgiven for thinking that you had accidentally stepped into a Gone With The Wind sequel.

Visiting in winter sees the countryside showcasing a more harsh and stark beauty, but it is incredible none the less and the grass twinkles with dew in the morning sunlight and the mist cloud roll over the dam in the evening, you can slowly feel your stress start to melt away.

On the Accommodation side, Brahman Hills offers a number of options from 30 King Size Hotel rooms all complete with every amenity and within walking distance of the hotel and the wedding venues/conference centres.

12 self-catering cottages are also available on the property and are within a short drive of the main hotel – these are also fully equipped, serviced every day and have an outdoor jacuzzi with a view, too!

We stayed at Springholm, which is about a 5-minute drive down the road, yet still forms part of the Brahman Hills property. Springholm also features 6 self-catering cottages and 5 stand-alone B&B suites nestled around a picturesque dam.

Our cottage ‘Kingfisher’ was beautifully and right on the water of the dam, with a beautiful deck for drinking morning coffee (or afternoon wine) and its own private parking, as well as an outdoor boma for making fires. Both the room and bathroom were spacious, and the bathroom featured not only a giant claw tub, but a huge shower with windows that opened right up on to the dam, so in summer, you can open them right up and enjoy the view while you shower – beyond stunning!

All meals are served at the main hotel, breakfast in the Brahman Hills Cafe which also serves light lunches and looks out over the Glass House – the stunning wedding venue/chapel and we enjoyed dinner on our second evening in 89 on Copper (which is actually underground!) It is really like dining in a wine cellar and the menu and food options, even for my vegetarian friend were second to none.

Enjoy drinks in Copper the bar next to the fireplace, first and then move across to 89 on Copper, where you can select from either a la carte service or a set menu with wine pairing. Chef Emily pulled out all stops and my salmon and prawn salad was fresh and tasty and my mains of steak, mash and mangetout were done to perfection. We shared a panna cotta with almonds, berries and fruit compote for dessert and every mouthful was incredible.

Make sure to linger over a glass of wine in front of the fire, before braving the Midlands chill outside, but boy did we sleep well that evening!

No visit to Brahman Hills would be complete without a visit to the Spa – not only beautifully laid out and welcoming but the treatment menu is extensive and offers 8 luxury treatment rooms, including the dedicated Manicure and Pedicure Room. While away an afternoon in the peaceful Tranquility Lounge and spoil yourself with treats from the Champagne, Coffee and Chocolate Bar.

There is loads to do in the area, as mentioned Brahman Hills is on the Midland Meander and day trips are always fun, we visited a number of awesome sites, first stopping at Nottingham Road Village which is super quaint and worth a walk around, and then on to Swissland Cheese which is located right at the top of a huge hill and feels like Switzerland, truly. You can take a tour of the factory, pat the goats and even by some cheese, a bottle of wine and a picnic basket and relax on their lawns looking out at the view.

We also stopped off at the Nelson Mandela capture site, which was loaded with history (which I love) and is the actual site where Madiba was captured in 1962 before being tried and imprisoned on Robben Island. The place is steeped in history and is a must-visit for history buffs. Loads of arts and crafts places abound, paintings and pottery, it really was a great reminder of my holidays with my parents when I was younger.

This was all in all one of the most incredible two-day escapes I have ever had, and I hope to return soon to not only Brahman Hills but the KZN Midlands as well. We do truly live in a beautiful country with so much to see and do.

Find out more about Brahman Hills, their accommodation, wedding and conference facilities and of course that spa – right here…

T: +27 33 266 6965
A: Old Curry’s Post Road, Mount West, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa
W: https://www.brahmanhills.co.za/

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