CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA 30 July 2018 – Pretoria’s African Pride Irene Country Lodge, Autograph Collection has enhanced its distinctive farm-like nature with a number of new developments to highlight its unique authentic ‘farm in the city’ atmosphere. Celebrating its historical roots and links to the surrounding natural environment, the hotel and the Irene Farm are joining forces to provide a unique country experience in the quiet rural Irene Village atmosphere, just a short distance away from the Pretoria city centre and its urban sprawl.
With its enviable location adjacent to the much-loved Irene Farm that dates back to 1895, historical nuances are recorded throughout the property – in the farm buildings, the barn and the old dairy. This is the ‘slow movement’ at its best: tried and tested farming techniques from a previous era coupled with the idyllic serenity of nature. With its characteristic roses – over 1200 of them – and beautifully planted trees, together with the quietly gurgling Hennops River running through the property, this is a destination that has attracted travellers from many an era, including high profile politicians and historical figures known to have made a valuable contribution to the development of South Africa.
Joe Segers, the General Manager of the Hotel, is thrilled about the hotel’s latest progress. “Soon the hotel will be part of the Farm, and the Farm will be part of the hotel,” he explains. “ In a few months’ time Hotel guests will be able to enjoy a leisurely stroll from the hotel through the subway to take pleasure in the farm’s many offerings: delicious, fresh food and dairy products from the farm’s Deli, and plenty of activities for children, who can feed the swans and get to know the cows on the farm.”
The elegance of the hotel has been further enhanced with the addition of 48 guest rooms each offering a serene view of the beautiful Camdeboo Forest. All of the hotel’s 123 rooms, offer the comfort of a home-away-from-home within the exceptional country-like environment of Irene.
A popular venue with the business community the hotel has also expanded its conferencing facilities with the addition of the 220-seater Lakeside Conference Venue, which welcomed its first conference guests at the beginning of July. Situated alongside the placid, soothing lake, this is a venue bound to appeal – beautiful views of the countryside from the first-rate conference venue situated adjacent to the expanded Meadow Green Restaurant and the River Bar. Now able to accommodate 300 guests, the Restaurant is geared to serve hotels guests, non-resident guests, and a large number of conference delegates.
Recently brought into Marriott International’s Autograph Collection Hotels, the Irene Country Lodge joins a select community of iconic hotels in destinations like Dubai, Rome, Kuala Lumpur and London, each of which exemplifies a distinctive personality – Exactly like nothing else.