&Beyond Phinda Vlei Lodge, in the &Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve in KwaZulu Natal, recently received a soft makeover.
Built in 1996, the lodge was originally inspired by the plantation houses of Southeast Asia. Its recent upgrade was led by Chris Browne and Debra Fox of Fox Browne Creative.
Browne comments: “We always felt that the interiors were lacking a strong identity, so we wanted to maintain the good ‘bones’ of the buildings and set about creating a fresh, new KwaZulu Natal plantation narrative, giving it a more local sense of place.”
Inspired by the homesteads of the pineapple and sugarcane plantation barons who once dominated the surrounding KZN landscape, &Beyond Phinda Vlei Lodge’s new look incorporates old and new, with pineapples, vintage brass, antique furnishings, tropical accents, chartreuse velvet sofas and pale pink North Coast anthuriams.
The en-suite bathrooms have been redesigned to provide a sense of old-world luxury, with antique mirrored walls, lighting and standalone bathtubs.
Accommodation consists of six secluded suites, fitted with decks and private plunge pools. Each has been updated, combining a mix of classic lines and modern amenities.
The guest area has been slightly reconfigured to improve the guest flow and the dining veranda has been extended to allow for covered alfresco meals, with views of the adjoining wetland. There is also a fire pit for gatherings under the stars.
