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Zimbali Lodge

Location: 36 miles north of Durban on the Indian Ocean Coast in Natal. It lies in a 300-hectare reserve and an 18-hole golf course.

Style: Zimbali Lodge is Sun International’s first foray into boutique hotels. The five-star property models itself on an African-style colonial lodge with lots of dark wood. Everything is designed to look older than it is. The wooden floors creak and the exterior walls are spread with yoghurt to encourage the growth of moss.

Accommodation: there are eight separate blocks offering a total of 72 rooms and four suites spread over the lush green landscaped gardens. Guests are ferried around the resort by golf carts. Bedroom décor epitomises the attention to detail that exists throughout the hotel. Decorated with natural earth colours such as browns and greens, each bed has a carved mahogany headboard imported from Zanzibar. A monkey paw print decorates one of the terracotta tiles in the bathroom, which also has a roll-topped Victorian bath. Tea and coffee-making facilities are laid out on a butler’s tray and newspapers are delivered each morning. There is also a mini bar, safe, separate shower, direct-dial telephone and hairdryers. Each room has a balcony overlooking the golf course, lake or Indian Ocean.

Facilities: guests can eat indoors or outdoors at the colonial-style restaurant or on the poolside terrace. The bar has lots of carved wood and huge, leather upholstered chairs. There is also a health and beauty spa, 18-hole championship golf course and two floodlit tennis courts. A second swimming pool and bar is being built near the beach, a 10-minute walk through the grounds.

Meetings: the largest of three rooms can seat up to 70 people. The other two can accommodate 10 people. One of these rooms offers views of the private terrace where lunches and drinks can be served.

Service: quick and efficient. On entering the private estate, security personnel inform reception of your arrival. You are then led to comfortable chairs and offered a drink while you check in and are then escorted to your room in a golf buggy.

Overall impression: a beautiful and relaxing place to chill out after touring South Africa.

Rates: standard rooms from £130, suites from £265 valid until November. Bookings through Utell or Leading Hotels of the World.

Sample product: Thomas Cook Holidays features the Zimbali Lodge from £74 per person per night based on two adults sharing until November 30. Clients staying for four nights or more until April 30 or from October 1-31 save £10 per person per night based on two people sharing.

Something blue: guests can dine on the poolside terrace