One of the first things guests notice about Hunter's Country House is the sense of “home”. It starts at the beginning of the driveway with enticing views into secret gardens abundant with butterflies and scented air. Then the team and the House herself just seem to embody a feeling of family and belonging – of coming home. The individual thatched cottage suites are plush and peaceful, decorated in a pale green and oyster palette, accented with a romantic sparkle of crystal trimmed canopies and dainty chandeliers. A privately positioned patio and garden makes for tranquil relaxation, reflection and reconnecting.
YOUR HOME AWAY FROM HOME
Built out of love for family and a passion for creating wonderful experiences for the guests, the Hunters Country House legacy has become a personal journey and a home to all those who entered through her doors. The thatched cottages, beautiful gardens and inviting living spaces invite you to relax, put your feet up and enjoy the history and charm of this divine hotel. Young or old, it is a place that fills your heart with fond memories and remains with you for a lifetime.
LOCATION IN THE HEART OF THE GARDEN ROUTE
Ideally situated between the coastal towns in the Western Cape, Hunters Country House is a wonderful location from which to explore the beauty of the celebrated Garden Route, or just to spend time relaxing at the peaceful lodge. 10km from Plettenberg Bay and 22km from Knysna along the N2, the signboards are clearly visible at the entrance to the access road to lead you to the security entrance to the Estate.
HISTORY - THE GRAND DAME OF OPULENCE AND STYLE
Way back in 1980, Craig and Jill Hunter bought a small farm called Pear Tree Farm just outside the beautiful resort town of Plettenberg Bay.
Alterations and additions to the old farmhouse, including two garden cottages, were soon underway to accommodate their family of five children. Craig, a civil engineer transferred his contracting business from Bedfordview to Plettenberg Bay, and Jill established her antique shop on the premises.They enjoyed a large degree of self-sufficiency in their new country lifestyle, thanks to a productive farming venture. The children eventually left for university and the Hunters were persuaded to use the cottages as part of a “Farm Bed and Breakfast Association”. The possibility of a Hunters Country House hotel came to mind. The project was soon underway, including a new home on the recently acquired farm next door.
“We made this leap, having enjoyed meeting and entertaining the most interesting guests, mainly overseas visitors, and also having between us a background covering construction, furnishing and decorating, as well as a love of entertaining “ - Craig Hunter.
The hotel opened in 1989 with ten garden suite cottages. Today Hunters Country House has 21 suites, some with private pools, a 5-star rating, has been South Africa’s Hotel of the Year and is a member of the prestigious Relais and Chateaux Association. It is internationally acclaimed for its service excellence, superb cuisine and beautiful gardens.
The 4 non-thatched cosy Orchard Suites, privately appointed to the main pool complex. Decorated with interiors that meld past
and present using contemporary textural fabrics in a calming palette offset by polished antique pieces.
These 5 rooms leading onto outdoor patio seating areas are intimate and cosy, perfect for the single traveller and modest explorer alike. A choice between the 2 thatched and
3 non-thatched rooms, each with en-suite bathroom with shower only, are situated in close proximity to the main building and just a short stroll from the tented boma and main pool area.
Hunter’s Country House offers beautiful seating areas to enjoy the country chic style fare on offer for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Breakfast is served in the sunny glass conservatory and offers a selection of tasty treats to start the day from a lavish continental spread of local cheeses, cold meats, fresh fruits, pastries and homemade breads to delicious hot eggs to order creations.
Light casual lunches can be served in the dining room or on the manicured lawns of the luscious gardens over the looking the Outeniqua mountains in the distance.
The outdoor boma with its comfortable couches and fireplace, invites you to enjoy a high tea or a glass of bubbly as the sun sets, creating the perfect ending to a perfect day of relaxation.
Hunter’s evening a la carte menu offers a selection of textures and flavours to tempt your taste buds as you indulge in a bottle of wine from our cellar which has been stocked from the top wine farms in South Africa.
Vibrant and casual with distinctive international flavours, Zinzi Restaurant offers an abundant and tasty menu, in an incredible forest setting.
The African inspiration, seen in the architecture and use of natural building materials, comfortably complements the global tribal décor of beautiful, intricate carvings and metalwork from India and the fascinating patterns of the Suzani tribal textiles.
Subtle texture form the canvas on the walls with understated contrasts brought in by the combination of the stone masonry, raw scratch plaster, rough neutral Earthcote and waxed plaster that has the feel of smooth old leather.
Handmade mud chandeliers preside in the interior, with clay balls brought to life by the sparkle of crystal.
There are raw textured, natural fibre fabrics in combinations of wheat, stone, ebony and slate colours, and hand printed Suzani fabrics, worn leather and soft suede.
Lizard print silver fabrics add a touch of contemporary fun and luscious velvets a sense of opulence.
The furniture is all custom made and slightly oversized, as comfort is key at Zinzi. Sitting around a low table on ottomans and cushions sharing a meze platter or on a wingback chair at an antique table with turned legs and a pewter chandelier – absolute relaxation is guaranteed.
The tables provide for ample space, with fabulous dishes beautifully displayed during each course. Uniquely designed cutlery curiously hidden in a cloth bag and beautiful glassware add to the imaginative dining experience.
Ideal for sun-downers at the bar, or for a relaxed dining experience, Zinzi embraces the spirit of hearty cuisine and zesty ingredients with a choice selection of a la carte menu items.
Put your feet up, read a book, or pamper yourself with a massage in the comfort of your room. Hunter’s Country House offers a variety of in-room treatments such as massages, manicures, pedicures, facials and reflexology.
Qualified therapists from reputable salons are at your service. Pamper treatments are available between 07.00h -19.00h and are subject to the availability of a therapist.
Tsala means “elevated resting place’ in Swahili and that is exactly what you can do when staying with us. Put your feet up, read a book, or pamper yourself with a massage in the comfort of your room.
Tsitsikamma, Featherbed and Robberg are a few of the Nature Reserves in the area that offer a variety of different walks and hikes. From tough 4-hour treks along the scenic Robberg Peninsula to the more relaxed wander through the Garden of Eden Forest.
Experiencing these majestic beasts in their natural environment is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It is a wonderful privilege and an extreme adventure.
Free-fall over one of the most scenic drop zones in the world.
Your wedding day is unquestionably the most important day of your lives together, knowing this, the team tailor make all arrangements to ensure special attention is paid to every detail making it seamless and memorable.
Hunters Country House is the perfect family getaway. It is a fun, secure place for children of all ages to play and have a holiday where even the youngest of guests is pampered. The team make sure children feel like they have come home to 5 star luxury, surrounded by the forest and beautiful grounds.
For the younger children Cubs Corner is a designated area with a small paddling pool, climbing frames, sand pit and the Cubhouse, where they can watch videos, paint, draw and play games. Cubs Corner caters for children 0-8 years. Should parents wish to have their children looked after at Cubs Corner or require baby sitting facilities this can be pre-arranged prior to their arrival.
For the older children the Teen Scene area offers them a chill lounge to escape to, play darts, pool, watch DVD’s and relax.
Hunters Country House will ensure that children of all ages are catered for from a dining perspective with a children’s menu available for lunch. The opportunity for children to experience a holiday in South Africa and especially on the Garden Route is a treat and team want to ensure that when they stay with us they are pampered and kept entertained, making their holiday a special one, which they will want to repeat.
HUNTER'S COUNTRY HOUSE
Plettenberg Bay, 6600South Africa