Settle in while relaxing

A NEW year can be a time of huge changes for families, especially if children are starting their school careers, move schools or start university.

If your children are going off to boarding school or starting at university or college, you may find yourself having to go along to help them settle in.

“For many people, this means going away somewhere that’s quite a distance from home, and they will need somewhere to stay for a few days while their child is settling in,” said Avukile Mabombo, group marketing manager of Protea Hotels by Marriott and African Pride Hotels.

Over the next two weeks, families with children going to boarding schools will be making plans for their trips. Some of the most popular among those who can afford some of the country’s top private schools are in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands area and in Cape Town’s southern suburbs.

“Both areas are naturally beautiful, so it’s a good opportunity to combine the settling in part of the trip with some relaxation in scenic surroundings. You may want to experience an African bush experience at the Hilton Bush Lodge. “Or, for anyone on the Marriott Rewards loyalty programme, a stay at the Protea Hotel by Marriott Hilton would make good sense – it’s located close to Hilton, and offers easy access to many parts of the Midlands area.

“If a child is going to be attending Treverton College, accommodation in the Mooi River area is most suitable,” advises Mabombo.

For those visiting the Western Cape’s top boarding schools, there’s a huge range of accommodation available that’s suitable for both the schools and for the University of Cape Town. Look for guesthouses, hotels and self-catering units in suburbs like Mowbray, Rondebosch, Rosebank and Newlands, as this is most likely where the students will have to find accommodation.

Mabombo said staff at the Protea Hotel by Marriott Cape Town Mowbray sees many parents going through the stress of getting their children school- and university-ready. The advice from their concierge is to have at least one day where you are not buying stationery, books or curtains, and go for a relaxing lunch in one of Cape Town’s many beautiful locations.

The town of Stellenbosch is about 50km from Cape Town. It’s a town defined by its university, and you’ll see university buildings dotted around various parts of the town. There are also some quality schools there, which draw learners from beyond the town.

A plethora of accommodation is available – from hotels like the Protea Hotel Stellenbosch Dorpshuis and Spa and the Protea Hotel by Marriott Stellenbosch, to self-catering units at Bertha’s Guest Flats to comfortable guest house accommodation at De Oude Meul Guest House.

There are also families heading for the Eastern Cape. When going off to Grey High School, Collegiate Girls High or NMMU, a stay near the beach in Summerstrand is a good option: near enough to the schools and university and great for some relaxation strolling along the beachfront and watching the sunset.

You’ll be able to enjoy beautiful views of the beach and sea from The Protea Hotel by Marriott Port Elizabeth Marine, and it’s a stone’s throw away from the university campus.

And, finally, for anyone moving far north to attend the University of Pretoria, aim for accommodation in or near Hatfield. Marriott Rewards members can use their points for stay overs at the Protea Hotel Pretoria Manor or the Protea Hotel Pretoria Hatfield, located in the heart of where students live and play.

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