GONUBIE’S Red Pepper River Lodge has made history by becoming the first five-star rated bed and breakfast in East London.

The lodge was awarded five- star status last month by the South African Tourism Grading Council only two months after opening.

The guest lodge was officially started in February by former Red Pepper Properties owner Colleen De Wet, six months after she quit the property industry.

After riding the crest of the property boom as an estate agent, Colleen said she had decided to go back to the original plan she had when she bought the house.

“This is such a privilege,” she said. “I am excited to have accomplished my goal.

“When I came here from KwaZulu-Natal in 1999, I noticed that there was no five-star establishment here. There is always room for improvement in tourism.

“I’m here to give excellent service and strive to be the best. A lot of overseas clients are looking for five-star.”

De Wet said she had big visions for East London tourism and, to that end, was working on a history project with a KwaZulu-Natal-based historian.

“I hope it will pull as many tourists to this part of the country as possible. The more we can grow the tourism industry here the better because the tourism sector is a great creator of employment.”

Apart from her mostly German and other overseas clients, De Wet also caters for government and corporate clients. Her well-travelled son, Jonathan Barry, has joined her as an in- house chef . Barry has worked as a chef in England and Italy.

Breathtaking views of the Gonubie River are star attractions.

Each room is fitted with air- conditioners and plasma screen TV sets. “I want people to feel at home when they are here; if they want privacy, they can stay in their rooms quietly and relax. But there is also a theatre and a bar where they can socialise if they prefer.”

EC Tourism Board’s Veliswa Mhlapho welcomed the five-star award. “This is very good news; tourists from overseas look for quality accommodation. We hope this will inspire more B&B owners to get to that level.” - By SIYA MITI

Source: Daily Dispatch