The Hotel & Accommodation

Val Hotel has twelve rooms, 2 self-catering cottages and a backpackers which sleeps 15. It can accommodate 22 or more guests and offers full catering by prior arrangement. The hotel offers a cozy private pub, large fireplaces and spacious entertaining areas for functions, conferences, weddings and all celebrations of life. The small and beautiful thatched chapel further down the road is becoming a very popular wedding venue from where bridal pairs and their guests move to the Val Hotel for intimate country wedding receptions.

A guided tour of Val Hotel:

The façade has remained much the same as in the old days. This section of the hotel has its original mud walls and was completed before 1896. There was a sand road in front of the Val Hotel. One of the proprietors, Mr. Pape, owned a parrot. Whenever an ox wagon came past the hotel, they would halt promptly at the whistle of the parrot. Needless to say, the parrot was not very popular among farmers trying to get 16 oxen on the move on a sand road, which was no easy feat.

Room 1 – “The Kiss”

This used to be the bottle store with separate serving hatches in the era of political incorrectness. In a later period, when this hotel was a “rehabilitation centre” for the “retired homeless”, this could have been their chapel. Against the wall, above the window, was a painted cross with the words: “God slaap nie!” (God does not sleep!)

The Entrance Hall

The hanging lamp is over 100 years old and was brought here by André & Rita from their previous Victorian house, which they restored in Standerton. The riempie couch and hallstand belonged to Rita’s great grandfather and was given to his bride as a wedding gift.

The office – “Horace Fry”

This was known as the “Private Lounge” and it was here that Boer War Generals met to discuss the possibility of the signing of the peace treaty of Vereeniging. This room is named after Horace Fry, and here is his story, according to Quinton Smith, descendant of Joseph:
“Horace Fry, a Cockney by birth, was a professional soldier in the British Army, stationed at Malta, and at the outbreak of the Boer War he was sent with his regiment to South Africa. Before the end of the War he deserted and was later given a free pardon. His real name was not Horace Fry, but he would never divulge his real identity. Horace became a plumber and owned a plumbing business in Cape Town. Later, when it was on its feet and established, he tired of the business, abandoned it, and walked to Johannesburg with a wheelbarrow and his worldly possessions, working odd jobs on the way. Horace finally arrived at Val, doing plumbing throughout the district, and operating as the local blacksmith. I drove him into Standerton hospital just before he died. I saw him put to bed as he was very ill. When I left he sat up, saluted me, and said: “Old Soldiers never die!” With that he put his head on the pillow and died.”
It is also said that one can sense his friendly presence in the office..

The Stradivarius Bar

Yes, it does sound pretentious, but here is the story:

When the Val Hotel was restored; André & Rita bought the furnishings and fittings of the Ladies bar from the old Standerton Hotel demolition yard. This hotel belonged to generations of the Michael family. The last owner of the hotel was lovingly known as “Oom Boetie Michael”. When he was a little boy, the family referred to the ladies bar as “The Vile Inn” Oom Boetie was unable to pronounce this phrase and used to call it “The Violin” – hence the name “Stradivarius”.

Look out for the “Windhoek beer” mirror. This was a gift from Sybil Smith, previous owner of the Val Hotel. This is the only original piece of furniture of the old hotel that could be found. The prize ribbons were a gift from Quinton Smith, descendant of Joseph Smith. He was a world famous Hereford breeder and judge at international agricultural shows.

The Dining Room

The skylight in the dining room indicates the original position of the first room in the old hotel. When renovating, these walls were knocked out, as well as the wall separating the old dining room and lounge. This was done in order to accommodate 100 guests at any given time. Many sakkie-sakkie Boere dances were held here and the old lounge has many a tale to tell, much laughter, frolicking and “getting quite nicely, thank-you”

The two lithographs (in black frames) depicting coastal scenes were bought from the auction of Dickie King, grandson of the folk hero Dick King, who was granted a farm in the district after his heroic deed.

Room 2 – “The Inklings”

This room was chosen as “the writer’s room”.“The Inklings” was the name of the exclusive writer’s club to which C.S.Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien belonged. Perhaps this room would awaken the poet in you, and should you feel inspired, add your poem to the existing collection. Feel free to peruse the voluminous tomes – some are collector’s items!

When the Rita & André started renovations a secret room was found at the end of the passage. The window and door were walled in. There are rumours that the remains of a pregnant nun were found here. No evidence was found to substantiate this rumour, but then again, who knows? Anyhow this space proved to be quite useful as the room now has an en- suite shower room.

Room3 – “Loth Lorièn”

This is where you can spend the night in the presence of fairies – enchanting! The shower room used to be one of the two original bathrooms. (The hotel had 13 rooms and only 2 bathrooms.) Each room was fitted with a washbasin- and ewer set in the old days.

Room 4 – “Tintern”

This room is part of the section that was added in the 1930’s. On renovation, part of the original paint was exposed. Travelling artists used to “decorate” hotels in the platteland for free board and lodging. Another of these “works of art” can be seen in the “Stradivarius”. This room was also inspired by the ruins of Tintern Abbey on the banks of the River Wye in Wales. The shower room was one of the two original bathrooms in the old hotel.

The Side Entrance

The stairs and door to this room was added in 1997. The builder copied a drawing 2 x 2cm in size – a feat of true craftsmanship! The door was bought from a demolition yard.

Room 6 – “Bloomsbury”

Inspired by the “Bloomsbury” group of the Charleston Farmhouse, an artist colony in the South of England.

Room 7 – “Rama and Sita”

Also called the “Indian” room, will ensure dreams of faraway places and spiritual adventures. Spend 1001 nights on a magic carpet ride in this room where the styles of Ancient Persia meet that of India. Imagine you can hear the chanting of the Rishis intermingled by the rustling of pure silk saris offset against the backdrop of unusual pieces of furniture.

Room 8 – “The Pre-Raphaelites”

The Bathroom

This used to be the barbershop in the olden days and here you could get a shave, haircut or tooth extracted by the same “expert”. Rita’s grandfather had his haircut here on his wedding day in 1930.

Room 9 – “The Secret Garden”

This room has its own private garden, as well as access to the fairy garden.

Room 10 – “Celistine”

Also known as “Die Sterretjiekamer”. Note the playful touch: A glow in the dark star sprangled toilet seat.

Room 11 – “In the small woods, where I found myself”

The forest room. Private seating available for rooms 10 and 11

Room 12 – “Hubcap Hacienda”

Playfully decorated in the style of the Mexicans’ celebration of life.

Room 13 – “Paardefontein” (no unlucky 13’s in VAL)

Named after the Engelbrecht family farm, 12km from VAL, where Rita and her sisters grew up. Find the nostalgia of a bygone era in this room.

The Gazebo

Started off as a store room for sound equipment during famous festiVAL – soon a Hobbit’s Hiding Place in the ground

The Cottage

This is a self-catering unit, which can accommodate 4 guests, consists of a bedroom, bathroom, kitchenette-cum-lounge with sleeper couch and fire place. The painting depicts “Dancing girls in the streets of Troy” and the stained glass window in the bedroom, Tristan and Isolde.

The Garden and Grounds

Find the faeries cavorting in the poplar grove, make a wish in the wishing well, enjoy the lazy, dreamy swing, read a book on the garden bench, or go for a walk down the only street in Val.

Towards the Police Station, next to the fence, you will find the old Smith Cemetery. In the opposite direction, you will find the Post Office, Farm exchange, Church, and Sports grounds. Take a hike down to the waterfall, the faerie factory, the old silos, or the lookout point from the new silos.

Val is one of the few places on earth where you can have the whole town entirely to yourself. Take advantage of this fact: spread your wings and be yourself in this zero crime area.

General Information:

We would like to make your stay a memorable one. Help us to maintain the highest of standards by reporting any problems you might experience during your stay, immediately and without delay.

• All rooms are non-smoking
• We have safe-keeping facilities on the premises
• DSTV is available in the MOEGGEPLOEGKROEG
• We provide a “wake-up call” service
• Emergency supplies are available from reception. This includes toothpaste, toothbrushes, shaving foam, razors &
  hairdryers
• We have access to wireless internet. Please contact Andre in this regard. (082 461 3119)
• We offer a laundry , as well as a mending service
• Breakfast is served from 08:00. If you wish to leave earlier, and require a picnic hamper, please inform us at dinner
• Dinner is served from 19:00
• Meals for groups up to 35 guests to be served in the MOEGGEPLOEGKROEG. Please let us know if you have any
  dietary requirements

Important Information:

Emergency numbers:

• Local community Emergency Services: 082 457 1705, 082 783 4591
• Val Police Station: 0177023005, 0177023017
• Ambulance: 10177
• Police: 10111
• In case of difficulties with an emergency call: 1022
• Fire: 082 924 2826, or 083 630 8090
• Mar-Peh Clinic, Standerton: (30mins drive) 11 Princess Street, Standerton
• Doctor: 0177122007
• Andre: 082 461 3119
• Rita: 082 550 5540
• Gideon: 073 164 5271
• July: 071 645 8440

We have a basic first aid kit on the premises.