Border Hotel, Railway Restaurant & Passport Pub — Hotel in Phokwane Local Municipality

Honestly, this is one of the most amazing places I have stayed at in a very long time.

Not only is the rooms beautiful, warm and homey the place is filled with history made modern but you can still feel the oldness within.

One thing that you don't have to stress about is service, the staff here are truly helpful and they go out of your way to make you feel at home and at ease.

Michelle is such a helpful lady that has the most sweetest heart there is, she will walk miles to make you comfortable. I can't remember all the staffs name, however Thruline, Mary-Anne, Beverley and ALL the staff were absolutely amazing.

I must not forget the food, a lady with such a kind heart by the name of Ouma Joey (Johanna) which I call Ouma Joey (my gran is Ouma Joey), she is in charge of the food, as a chef myself, I would love to learn some of the recipes that come out of that kitchen, OMG, if I have to be honest everything on that menu is to die for, from a simple thing to a toasted cheese and tomato, sushi, pizza to a T-bone steak. If you just want a place to eat driving by this is honestly the place to be at, but don't kid yourself, stay over because this place right here, this is as close to heaven as you will get!

Lastly, my most favourite part of the stay is the fact that there is a bicycle that you may use to go have a ride in the Pecan Farm behind the hotel, I felt like a kid again, you can ride in the sunset and take the most amazing pictures.

I am not one to take pictures of rooms because I like to soak it in for myself, however added on here is a few pictures of my bicycle ride in the Pecan Farm.

Come visit this place, honestly you will...

Nestled in the corner of a working pecan nut farm, across the road from the old railway line and remnants of long-forgotten historic structures, such as the old hospital and railway stop, you will be hard-pressed to not find this hotel and overall setting quite charming.

Take one of the bikes at reception for a leisurely ride on the farm between the pecan trees, or sit in the Conductor’s Lounge surrounded by floor to ceiling bookshelves with incredible reading material. Or perhaps you fancy a spa treatment or just enjoying a hot chocolate (or whiskey 😜) on the stoep, whilst listening to the rustling of leaves as the breeze swishes through the trees.

The bar is fully equipped and you’ll be amazed at the little details in the rooms. For example, the vanity kit in the bathrooms include a hairband - have you ever! I thought that was pretty unique and I am all about detail!

Big upside for me is that the hotel is pet friendly, but if you are not a pet person, you would never even know if someone with a pet stayed in the room prior to you - hygiene and cleanliness is top shelf!

The most important thing for me is how I feel in a space, and I can categorically state that the employees were incredible, the food was great, the atmosphere was happy and calm. Felt like home away from home.

If you are keen on some amazing SA history, this is a great base for day travels and the owner, Bennie (born and bred in Jan Kemp dorp) and manager, Michelle are both a wealth of knowledge on the area and history.

5 stars...

Thus venue has a beautiful setting and garden and rich history.

We have used their conference facility once and that was great.

But the restaurant...perhaps the chef was absent when we went, but the service and my food was not up to scratch. I ordered a lasagne, the menu said 'hearty beef lasagne with a cream cheese filling...' What I got, was two sheets of lasagne with a greenish curried/ bobotie filling. No tomato in sight. No creamy cheese or became sauce in sight. There was some melted cheese on the top.

The crème brulee desert was a runny custard with a crispy top. It looked promising but I could drink the custard and it was definitely not egg custard.

The other guests at our table did however enjoy the eisbein and chicken schnitzel, ice cream and chocolate sauce. The sticky toffy pudding was apparently also dry and not sticky at all.

They would do well in allowing their staff to try the different food on the menu and to properly train the cooks and waiters and offer what it claims on the menu. And take some pride in...