Hartford House gains a new Gem

There is something enchanting about Hartford House, something that every visitor here will recognize from the moment they arrive. We have been coming here for many years and have always enjoyed the splendour of this magnificent property that was discovered by the Moor family almost 150 years ago, when they came by its vacant landscape in the early 1870s.

This time around there was a special welcome waiting for us from their new General Manager, Maretha Langenhoven and Lindiwe Nduli, whom we know from the Beverly Hills Hotel, and who now lovingly look after this splendid property.

Maretha was appointed earlier this year to be the new leading position, bringing out five star from Hartford House is her goal. Maretha is committed to the hospitality and service industry and joins the team at Hartford House, bringing with her a wealth of experience in the hotel trade and the commendations of some of the hospitality industry's most admired professionals. Her CV speaks of the celebrated establishments like Singita Ebony and Boulders, Intercontinental Sandton Towers and The Beverley Hills hotel in Umhlanga to name a few.

"I truly get so excited when I talk about all the small touch points, taking guests experiences to another level and how much I want all our guests to leave here with a wow experience." Maretha told The Bugle,"Sometime I find myself lost in the struggles and loosing sight of that enthusiasm and passion. When I have the opportunity to share it with great people like yourselves I feel inspired again."

The hotel's co-founder, Cheryl Goss spoke of the appointment of Maretha, "It's never been Hartford's policy to seek out the obvious in our endeavours to find the finest staff our money can buy. We've always looked for people with the potential to be exceptional, and that policy has served us well."

Also new to the Hartford house is the young executive chef Matthew Armbruster, whom after spending a few years polishing his culinary skills in the USA is back on home soil and cooking up a wholesome fair, joined in the kitchen by his girlfriend Marie-Louise Keijser, where together they have created a menu that is authentic, sensible and locally sourced.

Maretha is an all rounder in the hospitality industry, even though this is her first GM position, she believes that her passion for five star, bespoke guest services help enhance the already legendary Hartford House experience, "I can't explain it but there is no grey area for me when it comes to standards and creating best experiences possible."

Speaking to the Bugle in the sunny paddock surrounded by the thoroughbreds horses, Maretha said, "I'm so fortunate to join a team of passionate investors and staff whose only measure of their standards is the pursuit of excellence. There are so many opportunities for signature moments on this property, quite unique to the hospitality world, created not only by the offerings of the neighbourhood as a whole, but by one of the most beautiful farms on the continent. I have made it my challenge to ensure that every guest departing Hartford and the greater Summerhill estate, leaves with a sense that they have trodden the path less-travelled, and that if all they do in honouring their visit is to return again, we'll know we've done the job we were expected to"

Hartford House stands apart for its authenticity; its architecture and views, dining, sounds and scents, while its racehorses and its people are all exhilarating surprises, unique to this Zululand, to this culture, to Africa. So next time you visit the Midlands, make sure you stay at Hartford House, join Maretha on one of her Stud tours and unwind in one of South Africa's garden of eden.