Glen Avon Lodge, a family affair

By Brian Berkman: contributing editor, travel

26 Sep 2011

What does an impressive Toby Jug collection and Reef Wetsuits have in common with accommodation in Constantia? Glen Avon Lodge proprietor David Stringer is behind both. Together with his Silwood Academy-trained daughter Wendy, and wife Annette, he purchased the historic property, just off Strawberry Lane, in 1995.

Since then, additional accommodation has been added in a similar Cape-Dutch style and, while billed as a five-star B&B, it really is a boutique hotel.

Glen Avon Lodge is a family affair. The Stringers live on the estate and Wendy's paintings decorate the walls of the rooms. She is also behind the quality cuisine served for breakfast and dinner. Both David and Annette interact with guests in the way that friends would, which made us feel very welcome and comfortable. Guests are invited to swop their books with ones in the library and a cute Kuala hot water-bottle is added to the bed in winter. David tells me that more than half the guests are return visitors. I can see why.

Had we not been dashing from one wine farm to the other, I'd have spent a lot of time in the room, which has comfy chairs in which to read, or lazing on the recliners of our semi-private patio. The large pool looks fabulous, situated near a massive tree which has a strangely "spiritual" feeling about it.

The dining experience

Dining is in the main house or on the wonderful veranda overlooking the iceberg roses, clipped lawns and Constantiaberg Mountains. The dinner menu is seasonal. We were offered a duo of butternut and potato and leek soup, delicious Franschhoek trout with a pistachio and lemon crust, accompanied by a potato cake and roasted vegetables. For dessert, a trio of fruit flan, homemade ice cream in a tuille biscuit and a brandy-snap basket filled with fresh fruit.

Deluxe Rooms have "kitchen-cupboards", an ingenious way to incorporate a bar fridge, sink, drying rack, toaster and microwave oven into what looks like a regular cupboard. This is especially useful for guests who just want toast and tea for lunch or a microwave meal rather than ordering from a menu.

Internet connectivity is supplied by a third party and while the first 75mb is free, the wi-fi in the room didn't work when we first tried it.

We loved the proximity to farms such as Uitsig and Buitenverwaching and Peddler's on the Bed is literally across the road.

In short, Glen Avon Lodge offers a comfortable stay, wonderful hosts, quality cuisine and close proximity to the Constantia winelands.

For more information, go to www.GlenAvon.co.za or tel: +27 (0) 21 794 1418.