Set in a magnificent 1500 acre private family estate, Kurland Hotel offers a taste of South Africa’s colonial past. Positioned along the glorious Garden Route that runs the southern coast of South Africa, it is an elegant stopping off point near Plettenberg Bay, which is also known as the ‘jewel of the Garden Route’. 

A member of the Relais & Châteaux Association and consistently rated as one of the best hotels in the world, Kurland has an elegantly manicured polo field at its heart and a polo club to boot.

Whether you want to take off on a horse riding adventure, have your children ride one of the hotel’s Shetland ponies, or watch a fully fledged polo match, there will be some equestrian activity for every member of the family

Beyond the hotel, Plettenberg Bay offers miles of sweeping, unspoilt golden beaches, a dramatic rocky peninsula, intriguing lagoons and estuaries, towering indigenous forests and unpolluted rivers and sea.

Form Guide An elegant colonial outpost along the Garden Route, complete with polo club and Shetland ponies.

Yearling Ages 1 and over.

Pace Horse riding activities are complimentary at the hotel with rides on the Shetland pony offered to all children over the age of one. Spa treatments, sailing, canoeing, whale watching, mountain biking, forest trails, scenic flights and gliding, golf, hiking, sea kayaking, boat cruises, polo lessons to suit all skill levels and deep sea fishing (all nearby) are also available at an additional cost.

Stables There are 12 suites including a handful that are specifically designed with families in mind. Children under five stay free in parents’ suites; ages five to 12 cost an additional R540–R990 per night; ages 13 to 16, R1,020–R1,210 per night.

Feedbag Dining venue options are a highly personalised affair at Kurland and include the various rooms, including The Library, The Verandah, The Pool, The Courtyard, your private terrace, The Chef’s Table, or the Rose Gardens. There are also a number of highly awarded restaurants in the area.

Purse Three nights for a family of four (children ages five to 12) staying in a luxury loft, and including breakfast, use of spa facilities, afternoon tea, quad bikes, mountain bikes, tennis court and children’s Shetland pony rides, costs from £739/US$1,270; one night from £246/US$425; horse riding (other than the pony rides) is from £14/US$24 per hour, all with Aardvark Safaris.