About
Deep in the Drakensberg Mountain hides an idyllic farmhouse famed for its delicious food. Run by fanatical foodies Richard and Mouse Poynton, Cleopatra also promises serenity and rustic luxury to those beating a retreat from normal life. The lodge is cantilevered over a dam and bursting with personality via its quirky decor and inventive menus. All around are sweeping views, rolling hills, satisfying hikes and space, glorious space…
Accommodation
Occupying both the main building and the original stone farmhouse are 11 rooms. Each is eclectically decorated – curios include Victorian teacups and retro seed packets – and individually themed. There are some staples, however: snug beds with mohair blankets, fireplaces and awesome vistas. You’ll drift off to the cascading river and wake up to mysterious mountain mists.
Facilities
Richard and Mouse describe their hotel as a ‘gourmet getaway’ for good reason. Passion, flair and a variety of influences go into every delicious dish Richard makes – as do homegrown vegetables and herbs. The seven-course menu changes daily. Sip pre-dinner drinks in the cosy Poached Trout pub around a log fire, or peruse The Portrait Room’s wacky array of family artworks and curios. The newest arrival is The Copper Pot Spa, its treatments using the regional baobab, Kalahari melon and marula shrubs.
Activities
Besides eating? Actually, there’s plenty else to do: a variety of mountain walking, cycling and horse-riding (all levels), wild-swimming in streams and excursions to see ancient Bushman paintings. Fly-fishing is available all year round, with the local rivers full of trout. Rods can be hired. Ten minutes away is the Highmoor Nature Reserve and its eland, jackals and rich birdlife, while real show-offs can order a helicopter flight, soaring over the peaks and stopping somewhere for a remote glass of champagne.
Child Policy
Children aged 12 and over are welcome.
The Best of South Africa Travel map displays the locations of the destinations and accommodation that we have selected and visited; for each item, hovering over or clicking the marker will display a short summary and photo of that place or hotel, and hotel pricing. Follow the links in the info box to the full page listing which has much more information.
Note that the online map offers both a satellite view (click satellite in the top right) and, for some locations, a street level view (Drag the person in the top left onto the map). These let you explore the country; and when you wish to explore in person, or if you have any questions about the places you see, give our staff a call, or request a quote. Our staff regularly visit the places and accommodation that we feature.
When you book a holiday with us we will provide full driving instructions for reaching your accommodation, where necessary; these can be used by yourself, or you could enjoy the luxury of a driver. Alternatively we will arrange private (car rather than coach) transfers for you; helicopter transfers are also possible for some destinations.
