Hillcrest, Durban, Valley of 1000 Hills
Hillcrest is the ideal retreat away from the hub of busy city living Durban. This vibrant village is dotted with hotels, guesthouses, bed & breakfasts and self-catering accommodation all offering a peaceful country escape.
Hillcrest was once known as a sleepy farming or weekend village just on the outskirts of Durban, bordering the Valley of a Thousand Hills. The peaceful retreat surrounded by lush green farmland experienced a property boom in the late 1990s and 2000s which saw the construction of many gated communities, shopping centres and golf estates.
Although the village has experienced much growth in recent years, with no heavy industry and only light commercial businesses, it has not lost its country village feel. Hillcrest offers the people of Durban a quick getaway to the country.
Things to do in Hillcrest
There is plenty to do in this hip village. Visit the Shongweni Farmers market every Saturday morning and buy organic and fresh produce. Forget malls and shopping, in keeping with its country lifestyle visitors are spoilt for choice with numerous farm stalls, markets, nurseries and country pubs. There is also a plethora of hip restaurants, coffee shops and boutique store in the village centre.
For the adventurous, do a mountain bike tour or set foot on a hiking trail and experience the lush green scenery of Hillcrest. The village is home to several prestigious equestrian estates offering horse trail tours, a delightful way to explore the country.
Visitors looking for something a little more hands-on can try out the various rocking climbing routes offering unsurpassed views of the Valley of 1000 Hills.
Whether travelling as a family, couple or group of friends, the village of Hillcrest has a little something for everyone and is a true country escape in Durban. See our list below of top accommodation in Hillcrest.
Valley Lodge – Accommodation type: 5-star Luxury Boutique B&B
Valley Lodge boutique B&B offers 10 luxurious garden loft suites, perfect for the discerning business executive and spacious enough for tourists wanting space and a home away from home just a few minutes from the vibrant village of Hillcrest.
Each luxury suite is individually themed and decorated to the highest standard and has its own private veranda, lounge, TV with hotel bouquet selection, fully equipped kitchen, and shower room and guest toilet. Bedrooms are equipped with either king or twin beds, dressed with fluffy feather duvets, pillows and covered in pure cotton linen.
Each guest has seclusion and space with all the added comforts of home including gowns, slippers, air conditioner cooling/heating, satellite TV, wireless internet, safe, mini bar, hairdryer, Charlotte Rhys toiletries and fluffy towels are supplied in each bathroom.
Each guest can dine in the comfort of their own suite with self-catering facilities, or in the elegant dining room situated in the main house, where breakfast is served daily and an ala carte menu is available for lunches & dinners.
Telephone 031 765 6407/8. Email them at info@valleylodge.net. Make a reservation by clicking here. Find them by clicking here. Find out more here.
Rivendell Bed and Breakfast – Accommodation type: 4-Star B&B
Rivendell Bed & Breakfast is conveniently situated in the picturesque village of Hillcrest, just 20 minutes from Durban and has easy access to both the N3 and M13 motorways.
Rivendell offers eight peaceful en-suite rooms, each with its own private entrance, perfect for the discerning businessperson looking for a safe and exceptional Bed & Breakfast or for the couple who just want a break from the normal routine and are looking for a quiet getaway.
All en-suite room at Rivendell has DStv, tea and coffee making facilities, bar fridges, ceiling fans and heaters. A hairdryer, iron and ironing board are available on request.
An enclosed courtyard offers a secluded swimming pool and garden ensuring peace and quiet for the perfect stay. The property has secure, well-lit off-street parking which leads to separate guest entrances.
Telephone 031 765 4481. info@rivendell.co.za Make a reservation by clicking here. To find them click here. Find out more here.
Warrens Guest House – Accommodation type: 4-star Guest House
Warrens Guest House is situated in park-like surrounds less than 5km from the centre of vibey Hillcrest village. The Guest House consists of six rooms, two cottages and one Honeymoon Suite. Each luxurious accommodation offering is individually themed and decorated.
All rooms, cottages and the honeymoon suite have their own private entrances, access to the pool and secluded gardens. Business travellers enjoy the tranquil surrounds and family and tourists visiting from overseas love the big rooms, gardens, friendly staff and easy access to anywhere you need to go.
There are numerous highly recommended restaurants, most within walking distance of the Guest House, and various stylish coffee shops and snack bars to satisfy every palette.
The Guest House is conveniently situated near several wedding venues and is central to business areas and shopping centres. Cotswold Golf Course and Kloof Country Club are situated close to the Guest House as well.
Telephone 031 765 5470. Email warrensgh@telkomsa.net. Make a reservation here. To find them click here. Find out more here.
Branley Lodge – Accommodation type: 3-Star Bed & Breakfast
Branley Lodge offers guests bed and breakfast accommodation in a relaxed and homely environment, where guests comfort and peace of mind, is top a priority.
The lodge offers single, double and family suites. Rooms are light, bright and airy and have been stylishly furnished to ensure that a guest’s stay is a memorable one. Most of the suites have their own private entrance.
Facilities found in each suite include; en-suite showers, ceiling fan, a bar fridge, microwave oven, tea and coffee making facilities, crockery and cutlery, a flat-screen TV with MNet, and selected satellite channels. Clean towels are provided daily along with daily maid servicing. A hairdryer, iron and ironing board are available on request.
Branley Lodge is situated in a quiet residential area of Hillcrest, with easy access to both the M13 Highway and N3 Toll Road. We are only 2 km’s from the village of Hillcrest which boasts a number of excellent restaurants, coffee shops and take-aways.
Telephone 031 765 1834. Email enquiries@branleylodge.co.za. Make a reservation here. Find them here. Find out more here.
Friar Tuck B&B – Accommodation type: Bed & Breakfast
Tucked away down a quiet country road in Hillcrest, Friar Tuck B & B is a beautiful thatched estate set in forest-like gardens that offers tranquillity and rest for the discerning business executive and tourists.
Friar Tuck offers four up-market suites that are designed to cater for guests every need. There is a sense of being private and away from busy city life, and yet the Bed and Breakfast is close to all amenities in central Hillcrest.
Each suite offers full modern elegant bathrooms, satellite TV, wireless internet, and microwave, bar fridge, queen and king size beds with the finest genuine Egyptian cotton linen.
The country grounds offer ample secured parking, pretty gardens to wander in, a sauna, and a sparkling pool to relax beside. Camelot Golf Course is just down the road.
Telephone 031 765 3642. Email info@friartuckguesthouse.co.za. Make a reservation here. Find them here. To find out more click here.
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