Stay in a Victorian Mansion in the Friendly City

Slow

Peak PE travel seems as easy and relaxed as a Cape Town or Joburg scenic Sunday drive. All of which is to say that even if you don't have compelling reasons to take some downtime - PE is a good option. So, in the context of things happening at a more leisurely pace, you have an even further choice for slow - a stay in one of PE's oldest and most elegantly leafy suburbs.

This said, you are not even 15 minutes away from the hubbub, such as it is, of Hobie Beach and the elevated coastal boardwalk.

Hacklewood Hill Country House is a gracious 1898 mansion converted into an equally gracious boutique hotel. At Hacklewood everything is slow except for the lightening-fast preemptive service and free wifi. And, a warning for those who are used to slow-running baths - the four-poster tub (yip, you read right) filled at such a brisk pace I almost flooded the hotel in error.

Good for business even better for leisure

While you will certainly be happy selecting to stay at Hacklewood Hill while on a business trip, the real pleasure is having the time there to enjoy everything slowly. All the rooms have deep, comfortable easy chairs in which to curl up with a book while the green walled library and sitting room also acts as a reception area and check-in. I can see their cushioned window seat there becoming a favourite spot.

As it happened, our two-day PE stay was marred by rain and gusty winds which meant we had more time to enjoy the hotel and all it had to offer. We spied the large swimming pool and the verdant gardens from the warmer side of the stained-glass windows and instead ordered a room service lunch (marinated goat's cheese salad) and enjoyed the inclusive mini-bar fridge and espresso maker in the room.

Butterfly-winged tray and oil-burning chandelier

As a Victorian property, Hacklewood Hill is decorated in the English style with handsome furniture and objets. One, of particular interest, is a tray decorated with butterfly wings and another is the magnificent timber fireplace surround. A special touch is an oil-burning chandelier. We happened to be in the restaurant when they were lighting it. Quite a treat to see this nine-light chandelier being hoisted back to the ceiling all aglow.

Our suite, The Lady Elizabeth is one of eight individually decorated suites. I looked into most of the rooms, including the Madiba suite that once hosted President Mandela and they're all extremely spacious with spa-sized bathrooms.

Unexpectedly fine dining

The restaurant at Hacklewood Hill Country House is unexpected unless you know they consistently win fine-dining restaurant awards. We didn't know that so to experience cuisine of this level at very competitive prices was a real treat. Breakfast, included in the room rate, was also fabulous. The South African eggs Benedict with biltong Hollandaise is my top tip.

Safari day trips

The Port Elizabeth Hotel Group that owns Hacklewood Hill also own The Beach Hotel and equally recommended restaurant Ginger on the Hobie beachfront. On a previous visit we spent three glorious days at their Pumba Private Game Reserve, near Grahamstown. They offer day safaris to Pumba from Hacklewood Hill if you have the time.

Hacklewood Hill Country House is the perfect location to have an executive breakaway or strategy session for your management team. There is a conference room in the adjacent building and the hospitality team will put something fabulous together for you including a wine tasting in the atmospheric cellar.

For more, go to www.hacklewood.co.za