"Welcome
to the Karroo Theatrical Hotel - one of only three theatrical hotels in the
world!"
It is a
balmy Saturday night in the Steytlerville Karoo and the small hotel on the
outskirts of the town is fully booked. The intimate Grimaldi's Theatre Hall is
packed with guests from far afield. They have enjoyed a scrumptious three-course
supper and are now eagerly awaiting the evening's performance by the
Steytlerville Folies, presented by entertainer and pianist Freddie Ferrari and
starring the legendary karoovian diva Dame Leyla Lamborgini.
The Karroo
Theatrical Hotel is no ordinary hotel. On the one hand it is a down to earth home
away from home where the weary visitor can relax in the healthy Karoo air,
pampered by personal attention from hotel owners Mark Hinds and Jacques Rabie.
At the same time the hotel is an extravaganza of style, laughter, fine food and
even a hint of decadence. This is especially true when glitz and burlesque meet
on a Saturday night over a grand piano and Mark and Jacques transform into performing
artists that might as well have come directly from one of the many top theatrical
revues in Europe.
And this is
indeed where Mark has matured as a performing artist. With almost 30 years of experience
in the performing arts mainly in Europe’s German speaking countries, he has
finally decided to bid farewell to the glitter of the European stage and to
follow his life-long dream of owning a small hotel where he can combine his
passion for the performing arts and his love for people.
Jacques comes
from a background of singing. Already at a young age he started to earn top
honours at eisteddfods and other national events. This, together with other
performances in his later signing career, formed the basis for his extravagant performance
as Dame Leyla Lamborgini at the Karroo Theatrical Hotel in which he
impersonates some of the top female singers of yesteryear.
Building of
the hotel was completed in 1943. The choice of land, for a very good reason,
was just outside of the municipal borders of Steytlerville. At that time
Steytlerville was a ‘dry’ town where no liquor sales were allowed due to
regulations laid down when the town was established by the church in the late
1800’s. With the new hotel outside of the municipal area and therefore able to
sell liquor legally to town folk and alike, the liquor trade apparently
flourished in those early years. Even the golf course on municipal land next
door to the hotel had its dedicated 19th hole on the inside where
golfers enjoyed drinks after playing golf and before returning (some perhaps in
a more, well....wet state) to the dry town!
The hotel,
which was originally registered as the Karroo Hotel, stood empty for a number
of years until Mark and Jacques bought it 11 years ago. At that time the
building was desperately in need of repair and renovation.
With a dream
to create a haven that would offer more than merely food and accommodation and
with a vision to make their experience in the performing arts part of this
venture, the new owners registered its name as the Karroo Theatrical Hotel.
Inspiration and hard work turned the building into the fine concern that it is
today.
Do not
expect to find TV sets in the rooms – not even a radio. For a good reason,
these items do not fit in. However, look forward to striking, yet tasteful and
creative interior decoration, to sleeping on a good bed with quality bedding, to
first-class and wholesome food, to discreet personal attention and, above all, to
good old fashioned warmth and service.
Do not look
for vision and mission statements in frames on the walls, but experience
Jacques’s passion in his home cooked meals when you sit down for a something to
eat. Expect delightful surprises such as Mark’s freshly baked banana loaf, jam
tartlets and biscotti when coffee is served in the afternoon under the large
veranda. Get an understanding of their caring nature when you look at the
assembly of pets – each with its own story to tell – that form a backdrop to
the day to day homelike life at the hotel.
Cool off in
the sparkling swimming pool which, according to Jacques, became a big
attraction in 1983 when it was included in the Guinness Book of Records as the
biggest swimming pool by volume in the Southern Hemisphere.
Be amazed by
the large number of beautiful pianos in the building. (Mark is also a piano
technician by trade.) If you are fortunate enough to be inside the building, absorb
the clear piano sounds floating from Grimaldi’s Theatre Hall as Mark rehearses
for the next show on the Blüthner grand piano that was manufactured in Leipzig,
Germany, 120 years ago.
Listen in awe as Mark tells the story of Grimaldi, the
little fluffy white dog after whom the Theatre Hall was named. He was of a
noble and highly sought-after breed known as the Cotton De Tulear and was one
of the top performing dog acts in Europe. Embraced by Mark and Jacques, he retired
and moved back to South Africa in 2002, making the Karroo Theatrical Hotel his
new home where he later passed away at the ripe age of sixteen.
Marvel at
the beautifully restored 1963 Austin Vanden Plas Princess which is the pride
and joy of the hotel. Wave elegantly at town folk from the roomy back seat if
you are one of the lucky and privileged few who may be invited for a drive down
Steytlerville’s main street.
Plan to come
back for one or more of the hotel’s special annual events – Christmas day
celebrations , New Year festivities, the Queen of the Desert extravaganza and the
yearly art exhibition.
Any famous
visitors to the hotel? As expected, the discreet Mark and Jacques refuse to divulge
names, but reluctantly admit that the hotel do get booked out by high profile individuals
wanting to get away from it all in the privacy that these two considerate
individuals can offer best.
And what do
the guests have to say?
- "Thank you to two beautiful people for having us in your ‘hometel’. We loved every minute of it – amazing hospitality, formidable food and extraordinary company” – Karen.
- "Beautiful place. Fun place! Accomplished performers!” – Binky and Ray.
- "Truly the most memorable weekend ever. Glitz and glamour galore!” – Derrick and Edwin.
- "How can we thank you enough for the generosity, kindness and hospitality received? We enjoyed ourselves so much. We will certainly remember the terrific performance.” – Johanna and Cor.
But, back to
the show! "Welcome to the Karroo Theatrical Hotel…..". Freddy
Ferrari's opening words from the glittering stage can only hint at the glamour,
excitement and humour that would follow during the night’s performance. And
what a performance it is! Freddy's serious, yet zestful and humourous
performance of classical works and more modern pieces on the grand piano enthrals
the audience. Dame Leyla Lamborgini's powerful entrance is only overshadowed by
her formidable performance of hit songs by superstars such as Diana Ross, Shirley Bassey and Celine
Dion.
But in the end when the excitement of the show is over and the guests have settled down, what remain is two people with a passion for what they are doing. The combination of the hotel, the theatre, the ambiance, the food and the service is only the end result. The engine that drives all of this is Mark and Jacques, fuelled by their vision, dedication and unpretentious passion to be good for people and to make a difference in the lives of those that they touch with their modesty and gentleness.
Leaving at the end of your stay, you will already be planning to come
back. And with Jacques’ musical finale – “I
did it my way” – echoing in your mind, you will begin to miss the two
wonderful people of the Karroo Theatrical Hotel who have managed to create a
unique haven in their special way – a haven where the traveller who is looking to
be enthralled, can come home to.
For more
information, contact Mark or Jacques:
- Tel: 049 835 0010
- e-mail: info@karroohotel.co.za
- www.karroohotel.co.za
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