Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
22 Apr 2024
Reply rate
95.7 %
Usually responds within 4 days
Feedback
27
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Badges (2)
Details
Description
Do you want to explore our beautiful valley in The Central Drakensberg?
Come and get involved at our family run hotel. Travellers would get to know the whole family and would be invited along to social, cultural and sporting events we attend. The local community are also friendly and welcoming.
I (James), work on superyachts, as do a couple of my siblings, one of which is a Captain and the other a commercial helicopter Pilot. We all come and go to the Valley.
We currently employ around 35 locally paid staff in the various departments, such as: reception, reservations, food & beverage (kitchen staff, waiters, barmen), housekeeping, maintenance, grounds, bowls, etc.
You would not be required to stand in for any positions, however, you may end up working alongside a few of our staff.
We are a prominent hotel in the valley and our clientele vary; from members of the local community, international tourists, families with young children; to the bowling, trail running and mountain biking communities. We regularly host guest speakers, events etc.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Art Projects
Language practice
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Farmstay help
Babysitting and creative play
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Hospitality/Tourism
General Maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
You would have the opportunity to experience this culturally diverse UNESCO World Heritage sight and get to interact with n to only our family, but members of the local community as well. The place is quiet and surrounded by wildlife.
Travellers would gain myriad new skills, hospitality experience, as well as get to experience life in The Berg!
This could be an ideal opportunity to get away from the city, disconnect, reset the mind and enjoy the peace & quiet.
There is so much to do on the property and locally, such as: hiking, trail running (for days); you could go biking, horse riding, fishing, play golf, visit the bird of prey rehabilitation centre (Falcon Ridge), Reptile centre, go for a Canopy Tour, check out the internationally acclaimed Boys Choir, go for a Scootour, Battlefields tour, Bushman Paintings tour, etc.
Just up the road is a bakery, brewery, chocolate factory, cheese factory, rug factory, a plethora of hotels & so much more.
If you are into bucket list type activities; there are mountains to climb/soar (helicopter, balloon, glider) from the airfield a short walk away.
As I mentioned before, we are a bowls (Lawn Bowls) destination with three championship greens, resident (former) Protea coach and our very own club. We meet for "Tabs-in" every Wednesday and Saturday morning at 09h00. Workawayers are encouraged to join in, beginners welcome!
In addition to everything mentioned above; travellers would have the opportunity to learn Zulu, demonstrate their work ethic, gain hospitality experience, improve their practical skills, have the freedom (and time) to pursue whatever interests them nearby and of course, be welcomed into the family. My mother, Shelley and I would host Workawayers, but they would get to know the entire family and would be invited along to social, cultural and sporting events we attend. The local community are also friendly & welcoming. Thank you for looking over our profile, we look forward to hearing from you:)
Help
We run a charming family run hotel located in the beautiful Central Drakensberg.
We are the oldest hotel in the area (so as you can imagine, there is always maintenance to be done).
The hotel is safe & secure; 20 minutes from town (Winterton); and surrounded by touristic activities in the mountains.
We are a bowls destination; with three championship greens. Our resident Greenskeeper is a former Protea Coach.
If you would like to learn the sport or improve your game, please join us for "Tabs-In" every Wed. & Sat. at 09h00.
We have various projects on the go around the hotel/on the estate; as well as a wish-list of projects to get to...
We are looking for somebody (or couple), who are keen to get involved, uplift the hotel & contribute something positive.
We will discuss with individual Workawayers how they would like to get involved and assign projects accordingly.
Ideally, we are looking for 'self-starters'; who enthusiastically take charge of their own project(s) and leave their mark:)
Artists welcome! If you are a musician; you are more than welcome to bring your amp./instrument, and busk in the bar.
You could create something, we have myriad paint projects to get to, or you could just leave us a nice mural (",)
Here is a 'Wish-List' of projects we'd like to get to:
- Trail maintenance, setting up new trails (Lover's Lane along river), as well as mapping out the trails on the property.
- Building us a treehouse, Bird Blind (for birdwatching), or something equally as cool.
- Designing new gardens and features, creating a space for yoga classes, meditation etc. (Instructor's welcome)
- Creating a "Kiddies/Entertainment" program (seasonal) (Bridge, Bingo, Poker, arts & crafts, tractor rides, etc.).
- Maintenance projects (building, renovating, painting, varnishing, organising workshops, etc.)
- Eradicating alien plants, and manicuring the trees on the property.
- Improving The Workawayer Digs/staff accommodation; building little fences, adding gardens etc.
- Set up a veggie garden/greenhouse (monkey proof) to supply fresh produce for the hotel/staff/local community.
If you have special skills or just a great work ethic and would like to get involved, then please do get in touch!
Languages spoken
Afrikaans: Fluent
English: Fluent
Zulu: Intermediate
Accommodation
We would put you up in your own, private (couple's sharing) fully furnished, en suite room on the property.
You would be provided with a cooked breakfast and dinner from the hotel. Lunch is not included, however, there is an á la carte menu for purchasing lunches, or you could do your own thing (fridges & facilities available).
You would be invited for the occasional dinner with the family, staff braai, and encouraged to try out other local spots.
We have gardens, walking trails, cycling trails, river frontage (entire boundary), a pool, tennis courts, bowling greens, gym, (cash) bar, vending machines (cigarettes & snacks), pool table, Billiard Room, dartboard, volleyball court, WIFI, books, lounges, piano, fireplaces, etc. You would be welcome to make use all of the facilities on the property.
What else ...
We could arrange a pickup/dropoff from a nearby city/bus terminal.
Locally there is a minibus taxi service. There is always somebody going into town, but preference will be given to travellers with their own transport, which would allow them to fully capitalise on everything the area has on offer.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
Good WIFI around the hotel and a few nice spots to work comfortably in the lounges, quiet tables in the gardens, etc.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Hours expected
5 hours/day, 5 days/week (Flexible)
Feedback (13)
We were requested and jumped at the opportunity to join the family. From get go communication was on point answering all questions prior to arrival they helped with us getting from the bus drop off to their location which was great.
We made great connections with the other volunteer and all staff, Shown is a great easy going… read more
They mixed with our team well and were open to trying all sorts of different things....we miss you already and are sure you will enjoy the rest of your travels in SA!
They certainly embraced all the experiences they were able to enjoy in the Valley during their 3 week stay and did an incredible job repainting the Billiard room. It has a new lease on life!
With their enthusiasm, energy and skills, Dave and Jo are a great team to have on board!
Bart is easy company and a very hard worker!
We wish him well and would welcome him back to the Hotel any time.
Photos
Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(4.8)
Cultural exchange:
(4.7)
Communication:
(4.8)
We were requested and jumped at the opportunity to join the family. From get go communication was on point answering all questions prior to arrival they helped with us getting from the bus drop off to their location which was great.
We made great connections with the other volunteer and all staff, Shown is a great easy going… read more
They mixed with our team well and were open to trying all sorts of different things....we miss you already and are sure you will enjoy the rest of your travels in SA!
They certainly embraced all the experiences they were able to enjoy in the Valley during their 3 week stay and did an incredible job repainting the Billiard room. It has a new lease on life!
With their enthusiasm, energy and skills, Dave and Jo are a great team to have on board!
Bart is easy company and a very hard worker!
We wish him well and would welcome him back to the Hotel any time.
She embraced the outdoors and enjoyed this beautiful part of the world.
We wish Roeline well in her future endeavors!
The natural environment is just awe-inspiring! The property itself is beautiful with varied spaces to be dynamic or meditative... the landscape, the view from the restaurant / bar.
It took me awhile to find my rhythm and I wish I had more time to engage with and… read more
Let us invoke some FOMO into you!
The hotel, situated in one of SA's most beautiful parts, is a must-visit destination.
Shelley was very accommodating, caring and overall just pleasant to meet. We felt very welcomed and enjoyed working with Shelley.
James & Lisa were wonderful support and great people to sit down and have a… read more
Pierre is a very capable and multi-skilled man who was willing to assist wherever needed and embraced his African adventure!
The community enjoyed Pierre's involvement and he integrated well with them and the hotel staff. He is an easy-going, intelligent and well-adjusted man.
A keen sportsman, Pierre also… read more
I had the opportunity to bakes some typical French… read more
She worked hard in our gardens and was always willing to help.
We are just sorry she was not able to sing for us more.
She ran our Children's Christmas program and was very popular with all the parents and children ...she was full of innovative ideas which make life fun!
In addition Zanne taught yoga in a calm and confidant way which we still miss!
No task was too large or… read more
Stuart and Shelley (the owners) are very good people, they are open to new initiatives from workawayers. All the staff members are also very… read more
And James who coordinates the workawayer did a lot of interesting activities in my free time like vertical climbing, mountain scooter tour, Falcon… read more
Josef was organised and professional from the outset, and far exceeded all expectations. Any and every task Josef got involved with, he completed in good time. No task was below him, and he probably worked harder than anybody else.
Josef… read more
