The owners of Lynton Hall, the former home of a sugar baron and a five-star country hotel situated on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast, announced this week that it will close on May 15.
General manager Shaun Elliot said the current recession had prompted the decision to shut the castle-like hotel.
“Given the present economic climate, both the owner and I agree that Lynton Hall can't continue to operate to the high standards with which it has become synonymous,” he said.
However, Elliot said the restaurant and hotel will honour all bookings made until the closing date.
The building became the home of sugar baron Sir Frank Reynolds in 1895.
It was converted into a hotel in 2002 and its tower offered spectacular sea views to its guests.
Lynton Hall won several accolades, including being named one of Condé Nast Traveller magazine's top 80 hotels of the world, and AA Travel Guide's best country estate in 2004.
The 12ha garden, established in 1910, boasts what is considered to be one of the finest private collections of exotic plants in Africa.
Source: The Times
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