Sometimes we all need some time to escape the real world. Stress will always be part of our lives, but too much stress can lead to a meltdown. Escapism is the new self-care and there are some easy, scientifically-proven ways to do this. Reading a book, catching up on movies, getting out of the city to go camping or hiking are just some of the great ways to take a step back and to feel reinvigorated. Some might enjoy going for a swim, getting some exercise, journaling, or taking a holiday to switch off from work and relax.
A recent invite to Angala Boutique Hotel allowed me to pause and enjoy the quiet, the birds and the beautiful mountains. We are so spoilt by natural beauty in this country and Angala is a quick and easy getaway for South Africans who seek a world-class destination to relax in.
The COVID-19 pandemic has placed immense pressure on the hospitality industry and local tourism is key to saving the tourism sector. I wanted to share my little staycation photo diary should you wish to visit this beautiful family owned and managed hotel.
The chef, Maxwell, skillfully prepared and served our flavourful dishes. He has been working at Angala for 13 years and Cerene, who also took great care of us at breakfast time, was actually born in one of the guest rooms! The rooms used to be houses for workers on the farm and Cerene is so happy about working on the farm where she grew up. It was wonderful hearing her stories and knowing that Angala was able to keep on all of their staff during the coronavirus crisis.
The scrumptious selection of warm and cold breakfast options was served on the balcony overlooking the eco pool and mesmerising mountains.
Dinner was served in Angala’s beautiful in-house restaurant. For starters, Maxwell served his delicious cauliflower soup with freshly baked bread. He even shared the recipe with us! Angala happily caters for any specific dietary requirements or food allergies. Speak to them before you arrive and they will tailor their menus for you personally.
I spent the first night on my own, which was amazing as a little solo escape for some proper rejuvenation. My sister-in-law joined the next day and we had a great girls’ night! This barefoot 5-star sanctuary is perfect for girls’ nights, couples, tired moms and even intimate weddings or corporate getaways.
Sipping coffee on the balcony, watching the sunrise over mountains… what could be better? We had the property all to ourselves, so this was also the perfect spot for meditation.
Facilities at Angala include an infrared sauna, steam room, solar heated plunge pool and an ozonated spa pool which is kept clean with activated-oxygen (ozone) instead of chemicals.
The room’s earth-toned colours are inspired by nature. The wellness and hydro facilities along with the room’s fireplace make Angala ideal for recharging your batteries at any time of the year.
The beautiful bathroom opens to the outdoor shower. There is something spectacular about showering outdoors. I don’t know why I still don’t have an outdoor shower at home! It’s such an amazing feeling of becoming one with mother earth when you see the sights and sounds of nature and feel the fresh air intermingled with shower steam.
The room’s patio and private garden were also lovely for meditation and morning coffee. The many garden birds were also beautiful to look at and listen to. Angala regularly also hosts retreats and there is an amazing weekend of yoga, mountain walks, relaxation and stillness coming up in November. Take a look here.
Angala is pure magic and it’s really hard to choose my favourite part of my stay at this luxury, eco retreat, but experiencing the beauty of their unique eco pool was absolutely wonderful! It is kept sparkling clean by circulating it through a living ecosystem of water plants. This indigenous aquatic garden’s perfectly clean water is soft on the skin and infused with healing energy and loads of grounding. No salt, no chemicals and no sterilisation equipment. I chatted to Aubrey Blignaut, Angala’s owner’s brother, about the eco pool. You can watch our live IGTV video here.
