When it comes to why Kurland’s beauty and charm has our guests coming back time and time again, there’s nobody better to describe what the estate has to offer than a longstanding guest, who knows Kurland well.
Lina, a Swedish model and architect who lives in Tuscany with her Italian partner, Alessandro, has been visiting Kurland for years.
“I’d like to keep Kurland my secret gem and not tell anyone about it,” Lina says with a laugh. “Kurland is very dear to us, and we have created so many precious, beautiful and fun memories with family and friends at the estate throughout the years. The Behr family have become our close friends, and we are always looking forward to coming back “home” to Kurland each year!”
Lina adds, “With my job I travel a lot all over the world and visit many places. I can sincerely say that Kurland is one of my favourite locations! Kurland is not something that you can describe in words; and it’s so much more than the pictures online. It’s a lifestyle!”
“Already stepping off the plane at Plettenberg Bay’s tiny airport you immediately feel the serenity and the beauty of the region located between the spectacular coastline and the Tsitsikamma mountains.”
Lina and Alessandro recently spent a few glorious days with us for a birthday celebration with friends, and a handful of children, and Lina shared with us what she thinks a perfect day at Kurland is all about:
A hearty farm breakfast
“If it’s raining, then we stay tucked up in our room, where a fire will be lit (the Greek Room is one of my favourites) and have breakfast. Otherwise, it’s a big breakfast on the veranda with beautiful views or in the cosy dining room with everyone.”
“Kurland isn’t your average location. When you stay here, it really feels like you’re a part of the estate and the heritage. If Alessandro and I are alone we will most likely have breakfast in the kitchen and make our own Italian coffees. We often sit there for a chat with the owners, Peter and Di, who always makes us feel so welcome both at the Homestead or when staying with them at the Villa.
Out and about
After breakfast, your most difficult choice for the day is deciding whether you want to venture out to do something in the area or stay on the estate to enjoy some Kurland activities at leisure.
“As far as activities go, we usually stick and ball on the polo field by Katarina’s in the morning, take a jog around the Pavilion, or play a game of tennis. You can also go for a swim, spend time watching the polo chukkas or take a hack with the horses up the hill and celebrate your summit with Champagne and snacks. Some afternoons, I like to slip into the spa for a pedicure or a massage. They’re so lovely there and they take such good care of you.”
Lina comments on how she loves that there are so many successful entrepreneurs (small businesses) in the region. If they feel like going out for lunch, they’ll head over to Blue Rock in Nature’s Valley (the most delicious prawns and curries!) or Enrico’s for fish, and then pop over to visit Newstead wine estate next door for a tasting, or go shopping at the local textile factory, Mungo.
“Sometimes we ask Brenda to make us one of her exquisite picnic baskets and we’ll take that to the beach at Nature’s Valley or enjoy a picnic here at Kurland under the royal palm on the lawn (which also happens to be a perfect spot for afternoon tea) as we watch the horses in the paddock”.
“It’s also wonderful to have lunch by the pool. When guests come to visit me for lunch at Kurland I always ask the staff to prepare a rose covered table by the pool under the umbrellas. After lunch we’ll enjoy a coffee in the sun chairs followed by a siesta.”
Winding down
Your dining options at Kurland are endless, and the staff are always at hand to make special requests a reality.
“If it’s just the two of us, we love having dinner for two in the library in front of the fireplace because it’s so romantic. But when you have more people, the Homestead is perfect. We often enjoy cooking together with family and friends in that beautiful, big kitchen, especially after collecting mussels at Nature’s Valley, or buying some fresh fish or crayfish.”
“For smaller groups, the Villa is ideal. Sometimes we’ll even join Di and Peter at the Villa for family dinners, where Di makes the long veranda table look exquisite. She has such impeccable taste and will set the most stunning candlelit dinner tables with breathtaking flower creations from the rose garden! Peter and Di also have a fantastic pizza oven on their veranda and we have so many fond memories of “pizza nights” with family and friends there.”
From the Villa, you see the most amazing sunsets and enjoy vast views of the hills overlooking the lake and the indigenous forest. You can hear baboons, birds and other animals from the veranda and even though you’re sitting inside this beautiful house, you also feel so close to nature – “that vast space and the connection with nature truly is what I would define as the ultimate luxury today”.
No detail is too small
Whether it’s Di’s faultless design of Kurland’s beautiful bedrooms and living spaces, the fresh roses dotting every corner, or the staff anticipating your every need and welcoming you home with a roaring fireplace or an ice-cold drink, the details that Kurland offers its guests are unparalleled.
“I love walking around the Homestead and Villa, admiring the gardens and all my favourite paintings. The fact that all the rooms are different, right down to the décor themes and even the lamps, is so much fun! Everyone finds their favourite room – Alessandro adores the Polo Room, and I love the Greek Room’s fresh, blue tones, and the beautiful bathtub that overlooks the pool and veranda.”
As Lina says, “you cannot help falling in love WITH Kurland or falling in love AT Kurland” and that’s why so many of our guests become regulars and celebrate their special occasions here. Whether you’re visiting for a specific event in the area, one of Kurland’s renowned polo tournaments, or you just need some downtime, Kurland’s soothing, slow pace and calming welcome is the perfect space to spend with friends and loved ones.