My stay at the George Hotel in Eshowe can only be described as one filled with adventure. I was fortunate enough to spend three nights in the town and I loved every moment of it.
Eshowe is the oldest European settlement found in the Kwa-Zulu Natal and is thus, filled with an abundance of history. There are a number of insightful and engaging tours and I had the opportunity to see what the town had to offer.
My friend and I were immensely assisted by the George Hotel owner, Richard Chennells, who assisted with our transport during our trip.
We were looking forward to our stay at the George; not only to enjoy our stay, but also to meet Richard in person. I must say, I was not surprised to see he is as friendly in person as he is on the phone.
Richard arranged for us to see what Eshowe has to offer. It is fair to say that I had no idea of the rich history that the town has. As part of our tour, we visited a Zionist Church, a rural village on the outskirts of town as well as the memorial of the first Zulu Christian martyr.
One of the highlights of our stay was when we visited the Dlinza Aerial Boardwalk. We were very excited to visit this establishment as we both had a love for nature. The views and scenery throughout the aerial boardwalk is breathtaking.
On our final day of our trip, we visited the Fort Nongqayi Museum. The tour guides gave us further information of the history of both Eshowe as well as the Zulu people.
During our stay at the George Hotel, we enjoyed delicious breakfasts and dinners. The team pulled out all the stops to ensure we enjoyed a memorable stay.
The hotel regularly gets a number of tourists visiting the establishment. These international tourists love the Zulu experience.
We were joined by a number of tourists on our last night and we enjoyed our meal on their outside deck. We got to enjoy our curry whilst having a stunning view. It definitely made for a memorable experience!
My overall impression of The George Hotel is that if you are looking for a comfortable place to stay whilst enjoying a number of excursions throughout Eshowe, then this is the place to stay.
Visitors can expect a rustic and comfortable stay. After all, this establishment has been doing that for the past 110 years!
Accommodation and Facilities at George Hotel
The George Hotel has everything one would expect. This three-star hotel in Eshowe has 32 rooms for visitors to choose from.
Each of their rooms is serviced daily and contains air-conditioners. The rooms are tidally kept and neat in appearance.
I was blown away by the amount of books that are found in their library as well as by their bar area. It was refreshing to see not only the amount of books, but also the variety. The library area is a great place to either enjoy a good read or even get some work done.
The establishment features a number of photographs of past Zulu leaders. I definitely got a strong sense of the history of the area, just by looking at the artwork.
Complimentary Wi-Fi is found throughout the establishment and laundry services are also available.
The George Hotel can also accommodate conferences and intimate weddings. This further adds to the repertoire of this establishment.
The restaurant area is where one can enjoy a typical pub meal. I found this refreshing as most establishments try to overcomplicate their meals, when in fact a hearty dish would suffice.
Zululand Brewing Company
While staying at the hotel, I learnt about the Zululand Brewing Company – a craft brewery that was started by the Chennells family in 1997.
Operating out of the George, the brewery has gone from strength to strength. Their products are now available on tap at many outlets throughout the country. Those who visit the George Hotel are also able to enjoy one of their great beers.
I recently visited their branch in Umhlanga and I was very impressed. Located on the bohemian Chartwell Drive, this recently opened establishment has already become a popular stop for many locals.
Their beer is fast becoming well-known and it is clear to see why. The refreshing nature and quality taste left me captivated.
The Zululand Brewing Company in Umhlanga also serves delicious meals and I enjoyed one of their Babanago Burgers. Their food is matched by the quality of their beer.
Reviews from previous George Hotel guests
“This was a venue for my granddaughter’s wedding and we stayed overnight. Venue lovely, staff very helpful and efficient, accommodation clean and comfortable. The ambiance was colonial in the best sense of the word and hence personal and not sterile,” shared Dreamer43295606774 on their TripAdvisor page.
John Moll wrote, “The best hotel in Eshowe full of great historical artefacts.”
“Very warm and friendly staff, beautiful view,” said Senzo Ntenga.
The George Hotel is located on 36 Main St, Eshowe. For bookings, call 035 474 4919 or email bookings@thegeorge.co.za. Alternatively, you can do your bookings online HERE. Here is their location on Google Maps. Also follow them on Facebook HERE.
