Last week I spent a few nights in God Window in Port Edward – a small town in the KZN province of South Africa that borders the Eastern Cape. This one should not be confused with the much-loved Gods Window lookout point in the Mpumalanga province.
Here the owner, Marcel Lottering has turned his once residential property into a nature retreat and provided the perfect getaway for the everyday individual that would like to leave all the stress of their busy city lifestyles behind.
The establishment has been around for the past 3 years, and Marcel has created four secluded accommodation types that will ensure a peaceful escape that is best offered by nature.
God’s Window is his primary abode, which will offer you a spectacular view of the Umtumvuna River, the Indian Ocean, and the bridge that connects the KZN province to the Eastern Cape Province. It can sleep 6 with its three bedrooms and two bathrooms. It is a self-catering unit, with a fully equipped kitchen.
The Gods Window flat is completely secluded and perfect for the couple. It has a deck that peers into the dense KZN jungle.
I stayed in the Cottage which is higher in the valley and shares an entrance to Marcel’s private property. It is also a self-catering unit, a bit on the rustic side with its antique-looking decor and furniture.
The view from its private balcony is spectacular, especially at sunrise when I snapped these pics.
The Forest tent is my favorite. If I had not been in town for a wedding and had to enter in the middle of the night, I would have given this first preference. The tent is rested on a deck between a really dense part of the Jungle and is the perfect place to rekindle your love. It even has a “love couch” in the front part of the deck.
Most of the accommodation types have a gas braai (barbecue for our American fans) on the premises and private outdoor braai facilities. The communal swimming pool will ensure that you are kept cool, during the humidity of the summer, and the fireplace will keep you warm in the winter.
Marcel is constantly doing improvements to the property. As we speak he is busy completing his Mediation Yoga studio set in the middle of a dense forest. It’s an amazing place to unwind in the depths of nature. The studio should be complete in a few months’ time, but in the meantime, he is offering some reiki and yoga classes. Weekend retreats are on the cards too. It also has a fully functional sauna which you can unwind in.
Here are a few images of the studio in the making. I can’t wait to visit it again once it is complete.
There is also an in-house gym for those looking to still stay in shape while on holiday.
If you would like to plan your retreat into nature get in touch with Marcel via email: marcel@adsadr.com or telephonically: +27 78 976 2311. Accommodation prices range from R200 – R400 per person per night. (Rates are current at the time of publication)
Once booked, read my top 10 favorite things to do in the area to really enhance your experience on the South Coast. These include a visit to the Petrified Forest, the world’s smallest desert, mountain biking at Clear Water Trails, and much more.
All images on this site, are the property of Kzara Visual Concepts and have been taken by Chantelle Flores.