Positioned directly on the magnificent Tiffany’s beach that stretches out for a whole kilometre, 18 on Hewitt opens its veranda shutters onto a swimming pool, lush green lawn and a sun-lounger deck peering over the beach, and leading you all the way into the ocean. Only a wooden stairway and some sand separates you from the waves and your favourite water sports.
Salt Rock, a perfect hideaway just a 40-minute drive from Durban, is South Africa’s answer to the call of an idyllic tropical getaway.
The warm waters of the Indian Ocean and its long stretches of dreamy beaches, its warm-hearted communities with their quaint cafés and seaside eateries, and the bountiful nature trails for hiking, cycling, running and exploring the wilderness that sweeps the surrounding areas are enough attributes to entice the entire crew. Especially those who enjoy the beach, a bucket and spade, a paddle and a decent surf.
How many guests can this holiday home rental accommodate? Six gorgeous bedrooms – three of which are on the top floor, overlooking the beach with ensuite bathrooms, whilst the others nestle themselves as a comfy king with a separate full bathroom, and two individual ensuite bunk rooms – span around the spacious open-plan living, dining and entertaining spaces.
A separate kitchen sits at the back of the house, just around the corner from a sheltered gathering spot around a fire-pit and cosy TV-room – for those occasions when some would like a spot of sport, whilst the others prefer to gather around the long dining table adjacent the fully-stocked bar fridge witnessing a pod of dolphin darting through the surf.
Home away from home holiday accommodation
It doesn’t take long for that vacation clock to kick-in and circumnavigate any to-do list. There is no urgency to be any place or tend to anything other than what a tropical holiday puts forth.
When you’re not singing along to that well-tailored playlist of sunny beats around the pool table, or making good use of your self-catering holiday accommodation by throwing in some fancy culinary skills in the well-equipped kitchen of your self-catering holiday accommodation, or simply snoozing on the sofa with the warm ocean breeze, or happily wading about in the swimming pool, listening to the whip of the wind catching the kite-surfers, you’ll be on the sun-lounger, well-lathered in the nostalgic scent of a decent SPF, catching up on a juicy Jilly Cooper chapter before hitting the waves again, returning for a rinse under the outdoor shower, and back to the lounger, the love affair and your tipple of choice.
It’s up to you how long you languidly settle on the lounger. You’ve earned the choice given the heroic bike ride you completed that morning before breakfast. A round of golf is on the cards for tomorrow. Let the easy evening roll in. You’re right at home, at this perfect holiday hideaway by the sea.
Reviewed by Colleen Ogilvie
Edited by Dawn Kennedy