WE TRIED IT: WIN A #VILLA4THEWKND AT WATERFALL WORTH R20’000

29 July 2021
Travel
Alexander Leibner

You could stand a chance to enjoy a ‘Villa for the Weekend’ in the heart of Waterfall Country Estate with Houss Rentals. The Sandton Times went ahead to see what you’re in for!

The weekend includes spa-treatment massages and dinner at The Codfather.
Access to 37km of walking and cycling trails to explore, on foot, or with mountain bikes.
Enjoy a meal cooked at The Villas by a private chef from award-winning Embarc Restaurant.
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Houss Rentals is giving three lucky couples a chance to win a weekend ‘holistay’ in one of Johannesburg’s most popular residential estates – Waterfall. With bags packed and lockdown levels eased, The Sandton Times set out to get a first-hand feel for what is in store for those lucky winners who might get a taste of the Waterfall life.

Pulling up to The Villas in Waterfall Estate the 190 odd units in their grey and wooden tones have a contemporary feel with a staircase leading up to the front door. It’s a warm welcome as the team from Houss Rentals has the fireplace going, the dinner table set, and the incredibly talented Chef Mitchel du Plessis from award-winning Embarc Restaurant, busy in the kitchen.

The ultra-modern house features four bedrooms with on-suite bathrooms, a lounge area and pajama lounge, an open kitchen, dining area and guest bathroom. There’s even a boutique garden that wraps around the property, but that’s not too much concern, as we pretty much have the whole Waterfall Estate to explore on a mountain bike from Ace Cycles or a golf cart.

Chef Mitchel du Plessis serves up a tremendous 6-course dinner, showcasing his incredible talent and hospitality, in the privacy of a ‘Villa for the Weekend’. Some of the dinner highlights included an amuse-bouche consisting of apple meringue and goat’s cheese mousse served in tiny cones, to get the taste buds going.

This was followed up by a Parmigiano Reggiano Risotto with onion, pine nuts, and truffle.

The beef fillet with short rib, baby leaks, salt & vinegar crisps on a potato air gremolata stops the show, as each bite leaves us wanting more.

A decadent evening is brought to a close with a dance of chocolate meringue, Kahlua mascarpone, brandy snaps with slithers of citrus.

The tastefully decorated main bedroom is only outdone by the pre-heated hot blanket waiting to put full stomachs to sleep on a crisp winter night.

The following day sees another activity-packed day, interlaced with moments to just park off on a sofa and take in a little Netflix. Lunch is served picnic style, at the edge of a dam on the Waterfall property. A quick golf-cart ride to the spot makes for a great way to explore the world of Waterfall, with its river, dams, and multitude of bridges and pathways. The out-of-home luncheon under a tree leaves enough time for the team from TidyUpp to give the residence a refresh, in time for the afternoon in-home full-body massage from SHEAR Hair Studio.

After a day of pampering and fresh air, a chauffeur from BMW Midrand picks us up in the latest BMW 7-Series for dinner at The Codfather (Polo Fields Waterfall) renowned for their seafood and grills. An early dinner is topped off with a movie night at The Villas next to a roaring fireplace.

After two nights of fine dining and two days of getting a feel for the Waterfall Estate life, it’s time to check out and grab a leisurely brunch at the clubhouse taste restaurant.