These travel trends were already on the rise, however, the Covid-19 pandemic has entrenched them even further. After being cooped up inside, travellers are looking for close-to-home, natural, nature-filled retreats in secluded spaces that don’t impact too negatively on the environment.
One such retreat getaway is the recently-built eco-friendly Treedom Villas and Vardos in the beautiful Wilderness area along the popular Garden Route.
I was lucky enough to spend two nights there recently (as business travel is currently allowed) and found it a most refreshing escape from ‘house arrest’.
Nestled among lush vegetation and veggie gardens is the two-level family-run and owned luxury self-catering, Treedom Villas and Vardos. Completed by husband and wife team Debbie and Marc Nortje in August last year, the accommodation is a real passion project.
For 20 years, our family had a holiday home in Hermanus, and when it was sold, it left a gap in our holiday plans. We looked around for special places with character and charm and we stayed in some cabins and treehouses, but we felt the industry needed something new and totally unique to South Africa,” says DebbieDebbie and Marc are some of the most friendly and gracious hosts I have ever encountered and made the stay all that more special. A delicious snack platter welcomed us on arrival, and Debbie even called while we were driving down to ask if we needed anything from the shops. As the villa is self-catering a fully-equipped kitchen with gas hob, Le Creuset cookware, plus basics such as wood, tea, coffee, salt and pepper is supplied. The villa is also thoroughly cleaned and sterilised between guests.
The villa itself is utterly charming and houses a queen-sized bed, living area with TV and indoor fireplace and cute Moroccan-styled kitchen on the first floor and two single beds upstairs. Below is a spacious entertainment area with gas braai, floating daybed swing and trampoline, making it the perfect place for a family getaway.
The area even includes a cute outdoor sauna and shower area with plans to include a plunge pool and Jacuzzi at a later stage. As it was smack bang in the middle of the mother of all Cape Town storms that recently hit, cosying up in the sauna interspersed with breathtaking icy showers was incredibly invigorating. We followed our outdoor spa session with a quick spring on the trampoline (nothing like a trampoline session to make you feel like a kid again!) and delicious braai cooked in the entertainment area, followed by dinner inside by the cosy fire. Bliss.
Treedom Villas and Vardos isn't open for leisure travel yet but they are Covid-19 prepared and open for business travel and currently offering a 25% discount on their standard rates till 31 August.
For more info or to make a booking go to www.treedomvillas.co.za
Images courtesy of Treedom
*Ruth Cooper was a guest of Treedom Villas and Vardos
