Festina Lente- A story that needs to be told

July 31, 2022

Festina Lente- A story that needs to be told

I read the book, “The Secret Garden” several times as a child. It was about little Mary Lennox -a spoilt bratty girl -whose parents’ death forced her to live in her uncle’s manor. On his estate was a walled garden that had been neglected and ruined. I loved the book and always wanted to find a garden so magical that every single tree could tell a tale of its own. This is exactly what Elna and Henrico have created in Hurlingham located just outside the Sandton business district.

We had left baby Haami behind "make haste slowly," and enjoy the chance to breathe without having to be parents for a day. I feel it is important to take a break from your parenting duties sometimes. You do miss your baby which allows you to appreciate being a parent all the more. However, for your own sanity, you need a breathe from time to time. To feel the wind in your hair and just not have to hear cries filter in the air.

Festina Lente, 'to make haste slowly', as the guest house is called, really allows time to stand still as you are surrounded with the finest floral smells and chirpiest sounds that nature has to offer. Every tree, birdhouse, and intricate detail of the antiques in the rooms has a reason to be there. The guest house which is visited by international tourists, local guests wanting to escape the hustle and bustle of city living, and celebrities such as Lorna Maseko who has done a cooking show there has its own rich history, and story to tell.

The guesthouse was founded with love, created with love, and continues to house an undying love. You will feel surrounded by love when you visit, and you will fall in love with nature entirely.

Elna, the owner, welcomed Naby and I to the guest house on Saturday afternoon. We were welcomed with drinks after having followed all the correct COVID-19 procedures. We sat down in the midst of the garden, chatting, and bird watching, as time slowly but hastily slipped away. While I was awed by the natural beauty that was obvious at Festina Lenta, I was even more eager to know the story behind how the guest house came to be. Turns out Festina Lente was a home that was up for sale in 2007, and while all the buyers turned the wild overgrown garden down, Elna and Henrico saw the potential of the park-like estate that they have crafted into their own magical gardens. Elna has compiled all her memories since purchase right until the creation of the completed guesthouse in a book. Within her book, she uses an apt simile of 'the old trees standing guard likewise sentinels'. The simile is apt as you tend to feel guarded at Festina Lente. You also don't feel like you are in Johannesburg.

Upon purchasing the estate, Elna and Henrico wanted to create a guest house that felt like a home away from home. She mentioned that during her years of travels she had to stay in many hotels that were cold and lacked a hearty homely experience. The husband and wife duo attempted to decorate each unit of Festina Lente with love, and luxury in mind. The reception area is not where most guests spend their time so the idea was to incorporate the finest details into the rooms so guests can enjoy luxury in their rooms where the bulk of their time is spent.

The room that we were ushered towards and got the chance to spend the night in was Botanica. The enchanted space is styled with 18th-century European Conservatory style in mind. The feature wall is decorated with a Thomas Gainsborough woodland landscape. A pretty peacock stands proudly against the landscape with a few decorative bird cages that set the tone of the room. The warmest element of the room had to be the tangerine and titian red curtains that ensured comfort and tied the room up making it an elegant enchanted wonderland. The handmade flower print bed cover was also ideal to enhance the look and feel of the space. The bathroom was a luxurious space that mimicked glory with its black and white tiles similar to the luxury you would expect to find in illustrator Megan Hess' bathroom. I specifically enjoyed the walled garden for our unit which allowed for memories to be created. Crisp white linen made for sophisticated sleep. When staying at Festina Lente time seems to stand still (even though time keeps ticking away). You feel at ease and in tune with nature all its glory.

The best part of Festina Lente is that each unit is personalized according to a specific theme. Each antique element uniquely selected to adhere to the theme. We explored five other units that Saturday. Here is what you can expect when staying in each one. This but a collection of all, you can try and guess which decorative pieces belong in which unit from my descriptions below. I so desperately wish for my readers to experience this Hurlingham gem for themselves so I can't let the cat out of the bag on what each room contains just yet.

Fin de Jour: This room is styled with the concept of French elegance in mind. With colors such as gold, vineyard green, and luxurious purple being used to add to the idea of elegance.

Bonjour: This room offers borquean beauty with crimson and wine- red drapes. The warmth of the room is offered by the fireplace above which a mirror is hung which reflects the hues of the crystal chandelier.

Le Homestead: This unit was crafted bearing a French hunting lodge in mind. The raw silk drapes and scattered cushions add to the look and feel of this particular unit.

Afri-Frans: For the eccentric personality types, Afri-Frans welcomes you with a painting of the Lady from the Orient adorning the wall. The pillows are Miss Wong and Chinese girl which adds to the whimsical feel of the room. The open planned space is an amalgamation of French and African style which adds to the ambiance of this particular room for those pageantry lovers.

Industria is a smaller unit that combines Victorian decor with industrial elements. The idea behind designing this room was the 19th century. The room has a more masculine feel with the large Gustave Troye map of former Transvaal accentuating the walls of the unit.

Festina Lente tells a story of a couple who triumphed over adversity, working passionately to recreate that magical garden and homely setting that we all so often search for. The reason for the name Festina Lente is because while Elna and Henrico wanted to build their secret garden escape quickly, it took years to complete. They spared no expenses when it came to detailing each unit to ensure guest's comfort. Even though Henrico has passed on and Elna is the welcoming face that guests see upon their arrival to the park-like estate, Henrico's memory lives on in every leaf of every tree, and every detail that has so thoughtfully been put into Festina Lente.

What you can look forward to a hearty breakfast that has the delicious taste of homemade luxury with an appetizing appearance straight out of a five-star restaurant.