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You are here : Home / Kwazulu Natal Hotels / Drakensberg Hotels / Hartford House
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Hartford House
HARTFORD HOUSE
DRAKENSBERG HOTELS
KWAZULU NATAL HOTELS
The Hartford House which is located in the Drakensberg, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, is renowned for its fourteen incomparably-styled luxury suites with underfloor heating, heated towel rails and generous bathrooms. All suites at the exclusive Hartford House are uniquely decorated with a fusion of colour, style and texture and are equipped with a telephone, TV (with M-Net and satellite channels) and a mini bar.
Dining / Cuisine
Guests staying at this unique country retreat are invited to enjoy the sumptuous fine-dining experience. Besides having one of South Africa's best cellar collections, Hartford has been recognised by the Wine magazine as KwaZulu-Natal’s top fine restaurant, as Conde Nast House and Garden's preferred lunch-break destination and as one of Style magazine’s top 10 best fireside-lunch locations.
The Hartford House and the Restaurant have received the following accolades:
- The Federation of SA Hotel's East Coast Award for Best Small Restaurant
- Anne Stevens' list of Top 10 KwaZulu-Natal restaurants for several years.
- Wine magazine’s Dine Top 100 South African restaurants for five consecutive years
- Special appointment to American Express Platinum Fine Dining Venues (2006,2007,2008)
- One of only seven Real Food associates in KZN, using only the finest quality seasonal ingredients, preferably local and wherever practical, organically produced.
- One of only 10 five-star winelists in South Africa (Wine magazine)
- American Express Platinum Winelist Award ( seven consecutive years )
- Johnnie Walker’s preferred list of private-dining venues
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Facilities at the Hartford House
The Hartford House is located on a world-class racehorse stud farm. A personalised tour of Summerhill Stud includes the stallions of the Rulers of Dubai.
The award-winning restaurant, which has been voted number 1 in KwaZulu-Natal, and among South Africa’s Top 10, serves sumptuous meals either overlooking the magnificent gardens or in the candle-lit dining hall. It has 10 five-star wine lists in South Africa.
The Hartford Wellness Centre offers a variety of therapies, body treatments, holistic massages and facials.
Trout and bass fishing, including trophy-sized fish. Masterclass tuition with "Wildfly" can be arranged, preferably in advance.
Horse riding is available to guests staying at the Hartford House upon request.
The Hartford House offers trips to the battlefields, Drakensberg World Heritage Site, Giant’s Castle, Lotheni, Injisuthi and Kamberg reserves, as well as the Weenen Game Reserve (by arrangement).
The Hotel features a swimming pool, a tennis court, historic gardens and enjoys close proximity to golf courses.
The Hartford House features fully-equipped, small conference facility.
Walks on the extensive game conservancy are offered, several rare wild animal and bird species inhabit the estate.
Helicopter landing facilities are available.
Airport transfers Durban International, Oribi Airport (Pietermaritzburg) and Estcourt Airport can be arranged.
Laundry and valet service is available.
Facilities in the vicinity of the Hartford House
- The Hartford House is located in close proximity to the world-renowned Drakensberg Boys' Choir (advance booking advised).
- Guests have easy access to the Anglo-Zulu and Boer War battlefields from the Hartford House as well as to the capture sites of Nelson Mandela and Sir Winston Churchill.
- Mountain game and nature reserves
- Excellent Bushman paintings and artefacts
- Midland’s Meander : Assortment of arts and crafts, pubs and restaurants
- Golf and squash : Boschhoek and Mooi River Country Club
- Enchanting birding and fishing country
- Picturesque Drakensberg drives and picnicking
- Hot air ballooning (by arrangement)
- Karkloof Canopy Tours (by arrangement)
- Helicopter flights (by arrangement)
- Clay pigeon shooting (by arrangement)
- Day trips to Clarens, the artists' capital of South Africa, and the Golden Gate National Park.
Conference
The Hartford House offers fully inclusive conference packages which include:
Accommodation
- A country morning breakfast
- Tea / coffee and pastries mid morning
- Three-course lunch
- Tea / coffee and scones mid afternoon
- A sumptuous four-course dinner
Conference room hire
- Equipment use - Our conference room is equipped with a flipchart / whiteboard, overhead projector, screen and digital data projectors.
- A TV and video machine can be provided, on request, at a nominal charge.
- All stationery is provided.
Teambuilding and outdoor Activities
The Hartford House is the only hotel which offers uniquely-tailored, dedicated horse race meetings to its conference delegates, with trainers, jockeys in dedicated silks, race cards, a marquee grand stand and parade ring.
Additionally the Hartford House offers, or has access to, the following:
- Trophy trout and bass fishing
- Birding
- Walks
- Guided stud and history tours
- Clay pigeon shooting
- Horse riding
- Wellness Centre
Weather
The altitude of the uKahlamba-Drakensberg (11 000 feet) and Midlands region keeps summer moderate, with temperatures rarely reaching 30 degrees C. During the summer months, which are from December to February, the rainy season, is characterised by daily thundershowers. Snow regularly illuminates the peaks of the uKahlamba-Drakensberg. Spring is a time of abundance. Showers are the precursor to summer rains. Buds burst into blossoms – the area is alive with activity.
Average temperatures range between:
- Summer: 15-28
- Autumn: 11-24
- Winter: 0-19
- Spring: 11-24
Directions from Johannesburg and Durban
- Follow the N3 highway to Mooi River.
- Take the first Mooi River off-ramp from the N3.
- Follow the Giant’s Castle / Hartford House / Summerhill Stud signs through the village to the west in the direction of the Drakensberg.
- Approximately 2kms from the outskirts of the village, turn left onto the Hlatikulu Road.
- Travel 5km passing both entrances to Summerhill Stud before the right turn to Hartford House.
- Follow the Hartford House signs for 1,2km until you reach the turn off to the right.
Hartford House Accolades:
- National Top Ten Delux Restaurants 2008
- Voted in Top Billing’s Top Six Boutique Hotels in 2008
- Gold Achiever Award winner:Indaba International Travel Show
- Voted KZN's Number One Restaurant by Federation of Hotels South Africa
- Diners Club Platinum Wine List for 6 consecutive years
Affiliations:
- Land of Legends
- Portfolio of Country Places City and Safari Collection
- Exclusive Getaways
- Superior Choices
- The Leading Independent Hotels of Southern Africa
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