Lord Charles 2022

The Newly Refurbished

LORD CHARLES HOTEL
24th February 2022

The pandemic seems to be ‘on-the-bright-side’ again – people are more willing to travel now that most have had their two vaccinations and now their booster. With this in mind, we had 25 people on the coach leaving Tableview and then onto Constantia all happy to out-and-about with friends again!

Our first stop was Stellenbosch – it was remarked as we entered Dorp Street – “How wonderful to study in this town” – followed by another remark – “Wonder how much study gets done in the first year” as at many of the outdoor cafes young people were seen ‘socialising’.

The coach was parked in Ryneveld street, and it was exciting to see another two coaches with visitors to Stellenbosch. Our group ‘took to the streets’ and shortly many were seeing enjoying iced coffees; cappuccinos and catching up with one another.

At 11h45 almost to the minute everyone had re-boarded the coach and we were heading along the R44 to Somerset West. After closing its doors just over a year ago, the Lord Charles Hotel in Somerset West is back in business. But the new owner wishes to remain anonymous for now.

The iconic landmark hotel will open its doors to guests in February 2022. Many where saddened when former owners, Spanish-based NH Hotel Group, said they would not renew its lease to the building in August last year.

This time around, the new owner took ownership of the hotel to reopen its doors. The Lord Charles Hotel will now follow an owner-managed organisational structure that will support the community in the Helderberg area. This includes sourcing local suppliers and hiring staff from the area.

We were warmly greeted by the GM of the Hotel, Julia Ward – the staff at La Vigna were waiting on our group – but many chose to rather amble around taking photos of the re-decorated foyer rooms before coming to lunch.

Our lunch menu comprised ?

CITRUS & BEETS: Chickpeas, baby carrots, feta, salad leaves, citrus honey dressing

GARLIC ROAST FREE RANGE CHICKEN SUPREME, Grilled polenta, Mediterranean salsa OR

LINE CAUGHT HAKE AND CHIPS: Deep fried in a beer batter, fries, tartar sauce & side salad

The lunch was perfect and served just as it should have been – table by table – all out together. Service was indeed impeccable!

After lunch many opted for a Dom Pedro which added just the ‘right touch’ to a day out with friends. When it was time to leave the hotel (15:00 many were slow in reacting), always a sign that everyone was still enjoying themselves and didn’t actually ‘feel like going home’!

“Truly great friends are hard to find, difficult to leave, and impossible to forget.”

No medicine cures what happiness cannot

Gabriel García Márquez