Walkersons Hotel & Spa Review: A Charming Country Retreat in Dullstroom
When Howard and Ingrid Walker chose Dullstroom to build a luxury boutique hotel reminiscent of a Scottish country manor, they couldn’t have chosen a finer spot. Constructed in 1993, to pay tribute to the otherworldly beauty of the Dullstroom countryside, the charm of Walkersons Hotel and Spa is outshone only by its breathtaking scenery.
Surrounded by the brooding mountains of Dullstroom, tranquil meadows and expansive trout dams, Walkersons is a place of quiet enchantment in Mpumalanga. The estate is a nature lover’s dream and offers an idyllic escape in both the summer and winter months. Whether you’re after a cosy winter getaway or an activity-packed summer holiday, Walkersons caters to it all.
Driving through the gates of Walkersons, you’re greeted by astonishing views of the estate’s undulating hills, towering trees, and serene damns as a 4km tarred road winds down into the estate valley. A short drive through the estate brings you to the hotel, which pays homage to its surroundings, with traditional stone buildings blending seamlessly into the landscape.
The crunch of your car rolling up the driveway brings the Walkersons Hotel staff to the doorway, to help with bags and usher you into the front room and reception. The welcome is warm and personal, and with no over-the-top hotel-style lobby, it feels like you could as easily be at a friend’s home rather than a hotel.
Straight ahead you’ll find the elegant guest lounge where a crackling fire is always waiting to greet you on chilly days. To the right is the Colonel Potter Bar and The Terrace restaurant — for unpretentious country fare and stunning views of the gardens — and the rest of the hotel property below. To your left, The Flying Scotsman offers superior dining at dinner time. During the day, take a seat on the large covered veranda at The Terrace or enjoy lunch al fresco on the adjacent sun-soaked veranda with views overlooking the trout dams or step out to explore the lovely lawns leading to a hidden swimming pool.
Barely have you been shown to your room before you’re itching to get out and explore the expansive grounds you can see from your huge, paned windows. Be it a couple’s escape or a family getaway, there’s a whole host of outdoor experiences and calmer pursuits to be explored within the estate.
What to do at Walkersons:
For outdoor enthusiasts, Walkersons is ripe for good old-fashioned countryside pursuits, with a range of activities providing plenty of opportunities to explore the natural beauty of the estate. Spend your days trout fishing in the pristine dams, hiking along scenic trails, or simply relaxing by the pool. Whatever your preference, there’s no shortage of ways to unwind and reconnect with nature. Walkersons may not be in Scotland, but the dramatic surroundings ensure that the weather often has you thinking otherwise. For this reason, there’s an array of wet weather activities to get stuck into as well, ensuring a rainy day can’t spoil your plans.
Dullstroom is renowned for its excellent fishing facilities and is considered to be the fly fishing capital of South Africa. If fishing is at the top of your list then Walkersons is the place to do it. The estate boasts 14 lakes and dams, all stocked with rainbow trout, making the estate a fly fisher’s paradise. If you’re not an experienced fly fisherman then Walkerson is a great place to try your hand at this peaceful pastime. Walkersons Hotel & Spa ensures guides are available to help any guests come to grips with the art of fly fishing.
While flyfishing is a favourite activity at Walkersons, there are plenty of other outdoor activities to take part in. Don’t skip stretching your legs on the network of paved, contoured pathways that make their way throughout the 800-hectare Walkersons Estate and up into the mountain reserve.
The paths are beautifully maintained, ensuring that walking trails are pleasantly simple. In fact, in the valley, over 3000 meters of paved paths make it easy for either a hearty jog or a lazy, pleasant stroll beside beautiful winding rivers and waterfalls. Alternatively, a more energetic hike to the top of the estate will take you closer to a variety of Dullstroom wildlife, which includes springbok, zebra, black wildebeest and blesbok, and offers truly spectacular panoramic views.
If low-intensity activities are more up your alley, then swing past the hotel’s spa to treat yourself to a pamper session. The spa offers a range of rejuvenating treatments and therapies. From relaxing massages to revitalising facials, each treatment is tailored to maximise relaxation and rejuvenation.
Inside the hotel’s common areas, you’ll also find plenty of places to sit and be still, all conjuring up complete calm. A fire-side sitting area presents the perfect spot for a pre-dinner drink, nightcap, or quiet chat with fellow guests. Sink into a soft sofa in this snug lounge, with a cocktail menu and you might never leave.
Rooms you won’t want to leave:
When you’re not out exploring, you can escape to your room for a peaceful afternoon doing very little. Many of the 27 tastefully appointed suites look out across the serene lake, teeming with wildlife, and the pretty and accessible walking trails are right on your doorstep.
There’s something truly special about the rooms at Walkersons; the generous, free-standing, cottage-style rooms offer a sense of seclusion and privacy. With comfy lounge seating, an indoor fireplace, a private patio, and a stock of good books in every room, you’ll find plenty of ways to while away the hours and spend quality time with yourself or a loved one.
My room had uninterrupted lake views and my weekend spent at Walkersons offered plenty of opportunities to enjoy a cup of tea with a good book and take in the scenery. The intoxicatingly comfortable king-sized bed dressed with ultra-soft, luxurious bedding also made getting out of bed (let alone leaving my room) a real struggle.
A taste of Walkersons:
One thing that is sure to entice you out of your luxurious quarters is the food. From hearty breakfasts and laid-back lunches at The Terrace to gourmet dinners at The Flying Scotsman, the menus at the on-site restaurants offer no reason to venture past the gates of the estate in search of sustenance. No matter where you choose to dine, Walkersons promises a pleasing foodie escape that expertly balances relaxed country-style dining with something a little more special.
Both menus showcase the finest local ingredients and flavours. The Terrace is a laid-back restaurant with stunning views of the lush garden and surrounding hillside. Breakfasts run the gamut, from porridge and yoghurt served with homemade compote to full Scottish and English breakfasts that are full of flavour. My favourites included Trout Benedict, Welsh Rarebit, and Whiskey Oats served with fresh cream and berries. The Whiskey Oats is a definite must-try if you’re adventurous and love trying traditional dishes.
Lunch at The Terrace is another memorable affair with Whole Deboned Trout taking the spotlight as a not-to-be-missed culinary delight. For this showstopper of a dish, locally sourced trout is wrapped in parma ham and filled with preserved lemon, fennel, basil and chilli and accompanied by sauteed baby potatoes, green beans in toasted almond butter and white wine sauce.
Afternoon tummy rumblings offer yet another excuse to visit The Terrace. Traditional afternoon tea has long been a popular tradition at Walkersons and no afternoon is complete without experiencing the famous Walkersons scones. These freshly made scones are worth writing home about and you’d be remiss to visit the hotel without sampling at least one — don’t forget the homemade lemon curd and blueberry jam!
Dinner time at Walkersons is a more refined affair with guests being welcomed to the intimate gourmet-country dining experience at The Flying Scotsman. Here hotel guests are encouraged to dress up and take their seats in the elegant dining room before savouring exquisite dishes accompanied by a selection of fine wines. I suggest arriving hungry for dinner at this fabulous seasonally-led restaurant as you’ll be tempted by signature dishes such as Confit Duck Leg with whiskey marmalade and Rainbow Trout. The restaurant presents diners with a truly exceptional culinary experience with tastes and flavours you won’t soon forget.
Book your stay Walkersons Hotel and Spa
Walkersons Hotel and Spa is perfectly positioned for anyone looking to relax in tranquil surroundings and have a chance to enjoy the beautiful Dullstroom countryside. The hotel pulls off country house style with aplomb. The hotel’s wonderfully serene setting coupled with cosy interiors and excellent service set the scene for a magical getaway unlike anything else in South Africa.
Hospitality and guest comfort is paramount to the team who run the place with relaxed precision. While much of the time you’re left to your own devices, whenever you need anyone they seem to appear. The gentle, attentive care puts you at ease from the moment you arrive and is the thing you’ll remember long after you’ve left.
Visit the Walkersons Hotel and Spa website for more information or email reservations@walkersons.co.za to make a booking now.
How to get there
A little over 2½ hours drive from Johannesburg and Pretoria, Walkersons can be found 10 kilometres from Dullstroom on the road to Lydenburg. Our party of five cruised up to Dullstroom in the new Ford Everest Platinum, a luxury 4×4 engineered for adventure. The great thing about this adventure-loving 4×4 is that it can quite comfortably wear two hats — practical, spacious family car one day and rugged 4×4 trail-eating, thrill seeker the next. Driving in this gold-standard SUV certainly made our drive to Dullstroom a lot more comfortable… and fun.
Blending adventure-ready capability with luxury vehicle comfort, and advanced technology the new Everest Platinum is a rugged, refined and fun-to-drive SUV that is sure to leave an impression. Engineered to excite, it’s a car built for the adventurous — with capability at its core.
Whether you’re conquering sand, rocky paths, or city life, Everest drivers will love the utility, capability and spaciousness of this exciting new SUV that excels at being a do-it-all vehicle.
