The pinch of rising fuel costs. Outrage at the trend to tax motorists at every turn. Daily traffic jams. Potholes. These really take the fun out of motoring for leisure or taking to the road for a weekend break.
But sometimes, for the sake of self and sanity, you’ve just got to get away. So we resolved to do just that, and not even tropical storm Irina, lurking off the coast, was going to dampen our getaway spirit.
We took the N2 and headed 160km north of Durban to Empangeni.
People often talk of the popular tourist destinations on the Elephant Coast – Shakaland Village, St Lucia, the game reserves of Hluhluwe and Phinda, to name a few. History buffs may even rant about the Empangeni Art and Cultural History Museum, the Talana Museum and the Dundee battlefield. Golfers may have swung a club at the Empangeni golf course. But few would consider Empangeni a “popular” tourist destination.
That’s no problem for some operators in the hospitality and tourism sector. Undaunted by economic recession and a competitive tourism market, they’ve dug in their heels and remained committed to the region, creatively adapting and even coupling their marketing strategies.
Hospitality and gaming group Peermont is such an example. It has expanded its interests in the area with its Umfolozi Hotel Casino and Convention Resort on Copper Drive.
We had booked in to the resort’s three-star Metcourt Hotel, which also has an upgraded casino, conferencing and entertainment facilities. A R115 million makeover and rebranding of the Tusk Umfolozi has produced a gem of a place which certainly brightens up Empangeni.
The sun set as we meandered along the well-worn road to the town. There, in what at first seemed an unlikely area, lighting up the night in all its glory, was the Umfolozi resort.
As we made our way towards the cheerful lobby, my husband waylaid us to enjoy the quaint pleasure of having his shoes buffed at a shoe caddy in the entrance hall. It charmed the socks off him.
The 44-room hotel has a separate entrance to the casino. A mirrored staircase winds its way to the rooms upstairs, while a suite on the ground floor is reserved as a special assistance room for guests.
The resort lives up to the promise of being “a modern celebration of Zulu culture, art and creativity” with its tasteful blend of contemporary design incorporating Zulu heritage.
The generous use of glass and greens create the illusion of rolling fields in the public spaces, while rich earthy tones warm up intimate spaces like the rooms, bar and bistro.
The astute guest will appreciate the details captured in the art, which pays homage to the tribal lifestyle.
Intriguing mosaics were inspired by satellite images of the White and Black Umfolozi rivers converging at the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve.
In the suite, a nest of a sofa and chairs enticed me to kick off my shoes and make acquaintance with the textured rug on the floor. I succumbed, sinking into the sofa, as my husband voiced his approval of the suite.
With hunger pangs grinding, we headed to dinner at the Umoja Bistro, a cosy restaurant.
While a takeaway offers fast foods, the bistro appeals to more discerning diners who want to savour fine wines and a classier cuisine at a slower pace. It’s perfect for a business dinner, a romantic interlude or a place for the weary gambler to retire to, to pep up the blood sugar and reassess the odds. It opens from noon until 11pm, just in case you lose track of the time at the slots, as I did.
The next day, energised by a buffet breakfast at the Flag Café, we wandered about the resort before heading to the coast.
The resort’s Kikizela Action Park is a fun-filled venue for family outings and team-building events.
The Jabulani Arena is a multipurpose venue that plays host to larger events.
With so much under one roof, the resort is a great destination for a romantic or family break and corporate or private event.
It’s also a convenient location from which you can go day-tripping on the Elephant Coast.
Umfolozi resort has teamed up with other operators to offer attractive rates on packages, from pampering spa getaways to fishing and Big Five adventures.
Even those who fancy cage-fighting may find reason to head to Empangeni sooner than they think.
For more informa-tion on these and WinnerCircle offers, see www.umfolozicasino.co.za or go to www. peermont.com - The Mercury