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Our plan was to go on a 4x4 expedition up the Sani Pass to see the Drakensberg Mountains and a bit of Lesotho. A leisurely drive through the foggy Midland Meander brought us to Himeville, the village near the foot of the pass.
The tour operator arranged accommodations for us at Anne Major's Plum Tree Lodge. This was the real thing - a lovely English lady with a long history in the area has opened her charming and comfortable home to guests and treats them to old-fashioned hospitality. When you see it, you can hardly believe how perfect it is. Anne is a class act and has all sorts of helpful advice for travellers.
We were given the Methley room, an enormous room with a picture postcard view. We had our own bathroom down the hallway and tea and coffee in the room. The comfortable living room had a TV, books, games, and so on. And the breakfasts, cooked by Anne herself, were among the best, largest and most varied we had in South Africa. We also very much enjoyed meeting the other interesting people at this guest house.
In the evening we went to the Himeville Arms, one of the most atmospheric pubs we experienced during our trip to South Africa. You can eat in the pub or in the restaurant. When we got back, we had to be quiet and walk carefully on the floor boards so as not to wake the other guests! It's a quiet, restful place, perhaps not suitable for noisy, rowdy types.
Don't forget to visit the Himeville Museum when you're there. Even kids will enjoy this place. It gives a real impression of life in the old days.
Oh yes, we made it to the top of the Sani Pass and visited Lesotho. And saw what has to be one of the world's most beautiful valleys and most isolated border posts. But that's another story...
It's a shame we didn't have time to say there longer. I'm sure we could have spent weeks there without running out of things to explore.
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Date of stay: January 2007
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Whilst visiting the in-laws in Durban over Christmas, I wanted to take my wife away for a few days, to the Drakensberg mountains, and this hotel was the highest ranking in the area on Tripadvisor. It is run by Anne, who was lovely both before the visit and during our stay. She had actually designed the 4-room hotel herself! Initially I emailed an enquiry, but some days later I was encouraged to phone to make a reservation - this I did, and was given the pick of rooms. We stayed in a lovely room, with a small kitchen area, so we could cook our own dinner if we wanted (we did this on one of the 3 evenings). Plush furnishings and a rural homely feel abounded, and Anne and the staff cooked up a delicious full breakfast for us each morning, taking care not to include any gluten in my wife's (as she is allergic). She also booked for us a Sani Pass tour, and a meal at a lovely nearby 5* hotel on evening. We can't say enough good things about this hotel! We were the only guests, so hopefully things pick up soon.
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Date of stay: December 2007
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We began our three week stay in South Africa at Plum Tree Lodge - and boy, were we spoilt! It was the perfect spot in terms of both beautiful scenery and location, and Ann Major was truly wonderful in her expert knowledge and information about the area. An excellent hostess, her infamous breakfasts are honestly the best we have ever had! You will certainly be well set up for the day! With real plum trees over a colourful and tranquil garden, not to mention the cutest little white dog (we could have taken him home!) you will be thoroughly well looked after here.
We enjoyed a magnificent trip up the Sani Pass to Lesotho, all kindly suggested and organised by Ann herself - our wonderful experience in the Drakensburg really is down to her.
We thoroughly recommend visiting Plum Tree, fantastic value for money, you will not leave disappointed...in fact, you will most definately be disappointed TO leave!
After Plum Tree, the rest of our holiday had masses to live up to! We can't wait to visit again!
Natalie and Andrew, Reading, Berkshire
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Date of stay: December 2006
Value
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Business service (e.g., internet access)
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Plum Tree Lodge is a cosy B&B in the South African village of Himeville which can claim breathtaking views of the Suni Pass. It's run by Anne Major who originally hails from the UK but has lived in the area for 50 years. The B&B is adorably cosy and comfortable with good sized rooms, tea and coffee making facilities, open fires and an above average evening meal. I loved it and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone looking for a good quality B&B rather than the below standard hotel nearby.
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Currently under new management, so previous posts will no longer apply. We did not see the new owners, but the accommodation was clean and good for the price. It consist mainly of a rectangular area which contains a bed , dining table and small kitchen with microwave, kettle. Off from the kitchen is a w.c and shower area. We had plenty of hot water and the pressure was good. Outside the room was a small patio with table and chairs, it is a sun trap. Other seating is dotted around the garden. Regarding the garden this we found lovely being a combination of an English garden with S.A additions. No guest internet. The B& B is located away from the main road in a quiet residential area Eating in the local pub is OK, the menu may not vary a lot from day to day. The area appears safe but we took our car the half mile or so as it would have been dark for our return. The main attraction here has to be the Sani Pass and visit to Lesthoto. This is an experience not to be missed, but a serious 4x4and lots of confidence is recommended if driving yourself. We had a hire car 4x4 ( Kia Sportage) and could only manage about half way up the pass before it’s failings, automatic and non lock differential forced us to return. We managed to catch a lift from the border with a tour guide in a Land Rover; this convinced us that going it alone is not the best option. We were then able to look around and take in the views and enjoy the exciting rough road. Also they will take you a little further in to meet some of the locals and experience their culture and 4 day old beer, (it is strong).
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Date of stay: September 2009
Value
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We ended up staying here by accident but we are so glad we did. Nan has done a wonderful job at making her place feel so homey and cosy. The gardens are stunning and the small details she has put in to make the rooms pretty. The extra mile in the small details like fresh milk and muffins makes a huge difference. Highly recommended. We will be back.
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Date of stay: December 2017Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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LOCATION
South AfricaKwaZulu-NatalDrakensberg RegionHimeville
NUMBER OF ROOMS
3
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