At least once a year, members of Team #FinishTime head to Dodoma, Tanzania, to time a race. There are two things many people don’t know about Dodoma. Firstly, it (and not Dar es Salaam) is Tanzania’s capital city. Secondly, it has great hotels – one of which is Best Western Dodoma City Hotel. The rooms on offer range from standard rooms to executive and presidential suites and there are three on-site restaurants which means our…
"Best Western Dodoma City Hotel"Author: Steph Müller
If you’ve never visited the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, you’re missing out – plain and simple. With its stunning natural beauty, quirky shops, fun activities and renowned restaurants, the Midlands has something for everyone. And as Team #FinishTime recently discovered, The Little Cottages in Howick is the perfect base from which to explore the Midlands. Of course, our trip to the area was to time a race rather than to enjoy a holiday, but that didn’t stop…
"The Little Cottages"
Thanks to its spacious sun-kissed garden and beautiful swimming pool, members of Team #FinishTime had such a relaxed stay at Sunpalm Guesthouse in Mbombela that they were reluctant to leave. Other aspects of their stay that they particularly enjoyed included the Portuguese cuisine at the in-house restaurant and the outdoor sitting area. While they didn’t have time to make use of the braai facilities, the outside seating area provided a lovely place to relax after…
"Sunpalm Guesthouse"
Given that it has been welcoming guests since 1924, the Fairy Knowe Hotel has certainly earned its affectionate nickname of “The Grand Dame of Wilderness”. Having spent time there while timing a race in the area, Team #FinishTime can attest to the fact that as time has proven, it’s an outstanding place to stay. For a start, the Fairy Knowe hotel is an ideal base from which to explore the Garden Route. From pristine beaches…
"Fairy Knowe Hotel"
While travelling between Swakopmund and Windhoek, Team #FinishTime spent a night at The Okahandja Country Hotel, and we can confirm that, as the hotel’s website states, it is the perfect stopover before continuing your journey through the beautiful country of Namibia. Twin rooms, double rooms and family rooms are available, and our room offered everything needed for a comfortable night’s stay. We enjoyed dinner in the onsite a la carte restaurant, which gave us an…
"Okahandja Country Hotel"
Along with its eclectic architecture and German colonial charm, one of Swakopmund’s best-loved features is its beaches. The fact that it’s just 200m from the beach is one of the many factors that make Guesthouse Indongo a great place to stay. It’s also a short stroll from the centre of Swakopmund with its array of shops, restaurants and attractions. Each room is well-appointed and boasts free WiFI and satellite TV, making the guesthouse a great…
"Guesthouse Indongo"
Malelane is one of the small towns our team doesn’t often get to visit, and we were delighted to discover Kruger Southern Cross on a recent trip. This one-bedroom apartment offers a garden and sun terrace, along with free WiFi, air conditioning and a fully equipped kitchen for self-catering. The cottage was clean, spacious and secure – and it’s also worth noting that it’s pet-friendly, although our team leaves their furry companions at home when…
"Kruger Southern Cross"
KZN’s north coast has a well-deserved reputation as being a costal paradise and if you’re looking for somewhere to make the most of the sun-kissed shores, Chakas Rock Chalets 15 in Ballito is the ideal place to do so. While heading up the coast from our Kloof base to time a race, a group of our team members had the chance to stay at Number 15 and reported back that they wished they’d had far…
"Chakas Rock Chalets 15"
Team #FinishTime is always on the move around South Africa, and sometimes our work takes us just outside of big metropolises. On one such occasion, members of our team found ourselves staying at Epicure Home Guesthouse in Heidelberg. The friendly service, peaceful surroundings and convenient location put the home in “Home Guesthouse”. One of the things our team loved most was the breakfast buffet that gets served daily, offering an array of warm dishes as…
"Epicure Home Guesthouse"
When converging on Durban to time the prestigious Comrades Marathon, members of Team #FinishTime who live in various far-flung parts of South Africa had the opportunity to stay in Morningside’s eMakhosini Boutique Hotel. As its website advertises, this hotel is a delightful blend of French colonial and traditional Zulu. The décor is eclectic, with wood panelling in some communal areas complemented by regal blue walls and chandeliers in others. There are three types of rooms…
"eMakhosini Boutique Hotel"