At Illyria House we were put up in a large well equipped junior suite situated away from the main house.Our lunch which was slow in coming but well worth waiting for was served on the rear patio overlooking the garden and the hidden pools. Illyria House is today a hotel, but for many years it was the family home and even today you feel that you are staying at a private house rather than at a hotel The only difference is you will get a final invoice to pay just before you leave. After lunch, the owner came to welcome us back and what then followed was unique, quirky and will stay with us for many years to come. Content censured by my wife too personal.
The owner turned dinner into a magic moment and had set up a candle light dinner for us in the small but well stocked wine cellar – how romantic.. The evening was magic, we both were treated as life long friends.
Illyria House is very much set in the colonial style. If you look carefully you will find things which need repairing, the rooms are functional and full of personal artefacts from the family. Please remember this was her home and we were treated like friends and not like a hotel guest. With this in mind, I found the time spent at Illyria House was outstanding.
On a practical note, we requested a Johannesburg airport pick-up which the hotel arrangement per email. The staff were there to meet us and like last time, came together and sang to us on our departure.