The KZN Midlands is one of South Africa’s most picturesque areas and home to more than
200 arts and crafts studios and country hotels. Liesl Venter rounds up some top meeting spots.
Nottingham Road Hotel
A VISIT to the Midlands
Meander is not complete
without a stop at this quaint
hotel. It was established in
1854 and its unique charm
and attraction have answered
the needs of many travellers
seeking a hotel steeped
in history, beauty and
reputation, say the owners.
Fondly known as the ‘Notties
Hotel’, it is renowned for
its hospitable atmosphere.
The conference venue at
the Nottingham Road Hotel
can accommodate 60
delegates, depending on the
seating style. It also has two
breakaway rooms for smaller
meetings.
Lords of the Manor
Commonly referred to as
the ‘Jewel of the Midlands’,
this elegant and beautiful
hotel at the start of the
Midlands Meander has
the distinct feel of an era
gone by. Sprawling lawns,
150-year-old oaks and a
manor house are all part
and parcel of this historic
venue. Contemporary
comforts are, however,
everywhere. Conference
and meeting facilities for
up to 60 delegates are
available in a venue that is
undoubtedly different. With
stone walls and enormous
Swiss bay windows, it’s a
grand country affair. The
venue comes fully equipped
with data projectors, flip
charts and all the other
necessities required for
a successful meeting,
including free WiFi.
Rawdons Hotel
With an on-site brewery
that is considered the
country’s most successful
microbrewery, Rawdons
Hotel is a must for any
visitor to the Midlands.
Nestled in the heart of the
Midlands, it is a charming
country estate with a
lot of character, where
naturally brewed ales and
lagers with names like
the Pickled Pig Porter, the
Tiddly Toad Lager and the
Pye-Eyed Possum Pilsner
can be enjoyed. Meetings
and conferencing take
on a unique twist at this
venue as delegates are
able to not only make
but also label their own
beer. The hotel has
conference facilities that
can accommodate up to
100 people and is fully
equipped for audio visual.
Smaller meeting facilities
are also available.
Old Halliwell Country Inn
The Old Halliwell Country
Inn, which is set on 100
hectares of rolling hills
overlooking the Karkloof
Valley, dates back to the
1830s. The main building
was originally a fortified
farmhouse and still retains
its gracious charm with
a cosy library, restaurant
and small cigar lounge.
The property can host
up to 360 people in its
venue, Halliwell Hall. It can
also accommodate small
meetings groups with ease.
Redlands Hotel
Situated in the northern
suburb of Wembley, the
Redlands Hotel has a
tranquil atmosphere. While
it is only five minutes
from the Pietermaritzburg
CBD, it has no feel of the
city to it and is ideal for
delegates who don’t want
to head out into the country
but are still looking for a
Midlands experience. The
Redlands Hotel has two
dedicated conference rooms
that can accommodate
up to 80 delegates. The
Redlands Room, the larger
of the two, is self-contained,
offering delegates a private
experience away from the
main hotel. The hotel also
boasts a boardroom, ideal
for smaller functions and
meetings. The standard setup
is U-shape, around which
15 delegates can be seated
comfortably.
