The Farm Inn Country Hotel & Wildlife Sanctuary
The Farm Inn, an idyllic natural retreat, is the realisation of a couple’s dream to create a natural haven for visitors in the heart of Pretoria’s outlying eastern suburbs.
In 1979, husband and wife team, Pedro and Rose Michaletos, bought a patch of land on the outskirts of Pretoria, intending to establish stables to breed Arabian horses. At the time, the city had not yet expanded to its current extensive footprint, so the land was bare, save for a single storey thatched house.
Although there were almost no services, Pedro believed in their dream and re-planted several palm trees from the Hellenic Hotel, which his family owned at the time, declaring: “If the trees grow, then we’ll grow.”
Several years of planning, building and, later, the conversion of the stables they had originally built, and permission to open a small inn was finally granted to the pair. Sadly disaster struck soon after, when in 1984 most of the ten bedroom guesthouse was destroyed in a massive fire.
Not to be beaten, Pedro and Rose immediately began rebuilding their dream and reopened The Farm Inn within a year, laying the foundation for a rural retreat in the city which has since grown exponentially to include 83 bedrooms, 17 function venues, two chapels and three bomas.
Still privately owned today – in its fourth generation of ownership – The Farm Inn is an easy 20 minute drive from the centre of Pretoria, 45 minutes from OR Tambo International airport, and a touch longer from Johannesburg itself.
The Farm Inn’s history of unequalled hospitality is trumped only by its reputation as a great getaway from the hustle and bustle. As a wildlife sanctuary in the city, it adds a special dimension that no other retreat can emulate, let alone improve upon. The natural beauty of the setting and surrounds creates a special ambience that is ideal for personalised weddings, while the abundance of venues makes conferencing at The Farm Inn a relaxed, yet productive experience.
The wildlife sanctuary is certainly the inn’s most inimitable offering. Amid the surrounding suburban sprawl, the serenity of Farm Inn’s park-like grounds offers an easy introduction to the magic of a wildlife sanctuary with 23 indigenous species, including lion, leopard and cheetah. Guests can enjoy daily game drives accompanied by experienced rangers, or enjoy an once-in-a-lifetime cheetah interaction under the watchful eye of a trained professional.
The Farm Inn’s culinary experience is also not to be missed. At the top of the culinary food chain, the Tugela à la carte restaurant is open seven days a week to hotel guests and public visitors, and has won numerous prizes for its cuisine. Boasting typically African dishes, Tugela’s romantic setting and truly flavoursome meals make this a Pretoria landmark and must be tried.Breakfast is a hearty affair that perfectly rounds off a night at The Farm Inn. Friendly waiting staff, a selection of cold and warm dishes, and (my personal favourite) a delectable filter coffee blend developed especially for the inn, make the most important meal of the day a memorable experience.
The Farm Inn’s distinctive setting on a rocky outcrop under the African sun is a must-do adventure for local visitors and international guests alike. This country hotel’s genuine hospitality blends perfectly with the warmth of its thatch and stone milieu, making it a luxury “home away from home” that begs to be experienced.
For more information, visit www.farminn.co.za.
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