Ammazulu African Palace is a luxury boutique hotel located in Kloof. The hotel’s site on the edge of the Kloof Gorge provides wonderful views of the Kranzkloof Nature Reserve. Ammazulu embraces and celebrates the cultural heritage of the region, KwaZulu-Natal, like no other.
The hotel is a unique visual delight that has to be experienced to be fully appreciated. It provides guests with a cultural experience that extends from warm African hospitality to the artwork adorning every surface. In fact, the hotel is a theatrical African artwork in and of itself that has an undeniably powerful presence.
The sense of a palatial African homestead is heightened by the design of the gardens. The planting and landscaping began on this plot more than 45 years ago. The end result is a lush African landscape that blends with its surroundings and creates a visual link with both the hotel and the views of the neighboring Kranzkloof Nature reserve.
The owner, Peter Amm, collaborated with architect Kevin MacGarry to realize a vision of a distinctive African hotel. It took a full year to develop a concept that would display and immortalize Amm’s craft collection.
Amm used his extensive collection of Zulu arts and crafts, collected throughout his lifetime, in combination with unconventional architecture to create a visual feast, including more than 40 mesmerizing columns of colorful African beauty. He also collaborated with several local artists to instill a sense of fun and playfulness in the structure.
Close examination of the columns and other structural elements reveals unusual items and recycled materials that have been incorporated into the hotel. Every public space of the hotel is crafted and decorated with African artifacts and beadwork. In addition, each of the hotel’s ten suites houses a private collection of authentic Zulu arts and crafts.
The African artworks and large beaded panels in the Presidential Suites even extend into the luxurious bathrooms. Guests who book into a Presidential Suite can enjoy uninterrupted views of the Kranzkloof Nature Reserve from their large private balcony. The suites also have large lounge areas, generous bathrooms and all the modern luxuries such as flat screen TVs and complimentary Wi-Fi. The feeling is akin to staying in an African art museum.
The hotel’s lounge and dining area is similarly decorated. From intricately beaded waistcoats to wooden carvings, one needs several days to explore and appreciate all the quality pieces of artwork.
In fitting with the African theme, guests enjoy delicious breakfast in the form of communal dining around a large table that is itself a glass-topped display unit filled with more examples of Zulu beadwork. For those who prefer their privacy, guests can opt for an in-room breakfast.
At Ammazulu, relaxation is the order of the day. For those who wish to really unwind, the hotel has an outdoor pool, a sauna and a steam room, and in-room massages and treatments can be arranged on request. There are also many terraces from which to view the incredible African wildlife in the reserve. Ammazulu is the ultimate experience of African art and hospitality.
Ammazulu African Palace
Address: 20 Windsor Road, Kloof, Durban Tel: +27 (0)31 764 8000 Tel: +27 (0)31 764 7011 Fax: +27 (0)86 610 8170 Email: info@ammazulupalace.com Website: www.ammazulupalace.com/default.asp
