COMMUNITY

The great ESCAPE

Ñ JUST ROUND THE CORNER

WHO SAYS YOU CAN’T TRAVEL? TEREMOK’S BOUTIQUE LODGE & SPA IS AN URBAN SANCTUARY UNLIKE ANY OTHER. IT’S RIGHT ON OUR DOORSTEP IN UMHLANGA, AND HAS ALL THE INGREDIENTS FOR THAT SPECIAL OCCASION – OR SIMPLY A GLORIOUS ESCAPIST TREAT FOR YOU AND YOURS

story anne schauffer pictures chris laurenz

Picture this. Awake at 3am, tossing and turning, analysing why you’re feeling flat and grey, then trying to conjure up something to drag you out of the lockdown blues. Could be you? Not this time. It was a Teremok Lodge & Spa client.

By 9am, she’d made the booking for herself and a friend, and by 11, Sunday morning, they’d checked into Teremok for an overnight treat. They were joyously anticipating the spa treatments, private dinner on their veranda, oodles of fresh air and space … and the longed-for contact and conversation of a good friend in a safe and sensational space.

The two live a mere 10 minutes from Teremok – which, under current circumstances, prompted the guilt-free spontaneity of leaping into their cars and heading for heaven!

Teremok is Russian for “little hideaway”, and when the gates close behind you, you’re doing just that. Hiding away, in plain sight, with every possible spoil on the menu – body and mind, tick.

Sisters Tracy Gielink and Kim Davidson, together with mom, Debbie Davidson, are celebrating an impressive 18 years of ownership of Teremok. It’s been there, tucked away like a little secret green oasis, within easy walking distance of uMhlanga Village and the beach, for nearly two decades. But it’s no secret to their regular international clientele

and ever more regular locals, who know it and love it. What’s not to love?

There’s ample cause for celebration too, as they’ve just won two trumpetblowing awards in a year, that for most, is best forgotten: Best Bespoke Boutique Hotel in KZN (Lux Life Resorts & Retreats Awards 2020), and Boutique Hotel of the Year, South Africa (Corporate Livewire SA Prestige Awards).

At Teremok, there’s no Covid doom and gloom. The team has taken the downtime to tweak and twist the decor, introduce more glorious greenery, fatten up the koi, and dream up some wonderfully innovative ideas to keep us all upbeat; ideas around nurturing, around relaxation, about laughter. Teremok is where you go to quieten the noise in your head, and replace it with happy self-talk. You’ll see.

Many are doing just that. Particularly, say the Teremok team, those who’re celebrating various occasions: “It may be because life is a little flatline that everyone is turning birthdays and special occasions into landmark ones,” says Kim. “We’re having a wonderful time curating exquisite, bespoke marriage proposals, intimate wedding anniversaries, and other stylish customised occasions. We’re fortunate, because Teremok’s layout allows easy compliance with Covid protocols. We have private chill spaces on verandas, lush green garden expanses, spacious rooms with even »

bigger windows and sliding doors. All eight en suite rooms have room to breathe.”

Teremok works closely with Jacqui Warren of The Perfect Proposal. Jacqui, like the Teremok team, is all about fine attention to fabulous detail. At Teremok, she’ll arrange a photographer … all the way down to the “Will You Marry Me” pennants strung between trees in the garden, fairy lights, and a string quartet. If you’re looking for magic, she has the wand.

And food, glorious food. This is Tracy’s forte, and she spends every moment dreaming up something different, something delectable. Teremok serves breakfasts, then lunch and dinner are by request. Tracy is queen of their wonderful picnic offering, which you can have in your room, on your patio or in the garden. Up to you. These old-fashioned wicker baskets are crammed full of comfort food goodies like grandma used to make – and it’s the perfect way to social distance, eat at your leisure, where and when you like.

Teremok can also order in for you from your favourite uMhlanga restaurant – and there’s plenty to choose from.

At Teremok, buying, stocking and promoting local has always been one of their pillars. But since lockdown, even more so: “It’s imperative we all support local businesses,” says Tracy. “We need each other. Aside from that, the love and work they put into their products, makes it a superior, healthier, and more interesting one anyway. Whether it’s the simplicity of eggs or milk from the farm, local Blue Bird coffee (sustainably sourced, roasted in the Midlands), Abingdon wines (KZN’s only wine estate), Musgrave Gin, or Sean and Marcelle Roberts’ That Brewing Company beer (Durban-based craft beer), we are committed to using the best from local suppliers and growers.” As five-star as Teremok is in every way, it’s also delightfully unstuffy and quirky in every other way. This is where Debbie comes out to play – if a surprisingly pink beaded flamingo doesn’t peer at you around a corner, you’ll get lost examining an old telephone, radiogram or artwork.

ABOVE: Sisters Tracy Gielink and Kim Davidson, together with mom, Debbie Davidson, are celebrating an impressive 18 years of ownership of Teremok.

As fivestar as Teremok is in every way, it’s also delightfully unstuffy and quirky in every other way

The spa too, is a stylish, quirky and calming space, with a large loyal local clientele, who wouldn’t consider going anywhere else. Although its reputation centres around non-invasive anti-ageing treatments, Tracy says the focus is on quality first, no matter what the treatment. Open seven days a week until late, they’ve found that their range of massages has been in far higher demand than usual, their couples massage in particular: “Lockdown has meant we’re all starved of a lack of touch,” says Tracy. “We need that for good mental health.” Teremok’s spa has introduced a sensational new massage with CBD oil. Sourced locally by Cannadose, this is the highest grade CBD oil. The benefits are both legendary and legion, from improving sleep to reducing anxiety, pain and inflammation. At Teremok, the lodge connects perfectly with the spa. A great breakfast for two, then a massage, a pedi with friends, then a catch up on the patio … a night away from life as we know it, with evening massages, a picnic on your deck, a good night’s sleep to the sound of the sea. At Teremok, one night feels like a glorious week away. *

Luxe escape prize up for grabs - worth R18 000

Spend the occasion of your dreams at Teremok Lodge & Spa where itÕs all about extreme attention-to-detail. The prize for two people is valued at R18 000 and includes: Two nights accommodation in a luxury suite Breakfast A full body massage per person PLUS, The Perfect Proposal will set up a romantic garden rendezvous with a gourmet picnic basket, a bottle of bubbly (or non-alcoholic alternative), a bouquet of flowers, plus a 30-minute couples’ photo shoot and a personalised photo frame. To enter: Go to The Ridge website – www.theridgemagazine.co.za – click on the competition, fill in your details and submit. It’s that easy. OR, follow us on Facebook to enter.

3 Exclusive Experiences for Ridge readers

TEREMOK SPA: Pay for a full body massage (R750) and get upgraded to a luxurious 90-minute massage. Valid until March 31, 2021. Ts&Cs apply.

TEREMOK LODGE: Spend a date night at Teremok on a bed-and-breakfast basis. You’ll get: An early check in Full body massage each A three-course dinner prepared by a private chef A romantic turndown R4 500 a couple.

Valid until March 31, 2021. Ts&Cs apply. 031 561 5848; www.teremok.co.za; hello@teremok.co.za

THE PERFECT PROPOSAL: A 10% discount on any package (for all occasions) paid by March 31, 2021. Ts&Cs apply. 078 072 7870; www.theperfectproposal.co.za; jacqui@theperfectproposal.co.za