The Milner  Verified Listing

Welcome to The Milner Luxury Guest House - an oasis of tranquillity at journey's end. Here, at the cultural heartland of the Eastern Cape, just a stone's throw from The Highlander at St Andrews College, a tailor-made experience awaits the discerning traveller.

The Milner offers all the hallmarks you'd expect from award-winning accommodation group, The Oyster Collection, and is only 50m from The Highlander and Lower Sports Field. Brilliant for visiting the kids at DSG, St Andrews, Kingswood and Rhodes or to use as your quieter base for the Grahamstown National Arts Festival. Also close to Kenton-on-Sea and just two hours' drive from the Garden Route, it is the perfect base for the Frontier Country and its history. 135km from Port Elizabeth Airport and 165km from East London Airport and within an hours' drive of a variety of the major Eastern Cape game and safari reserves, including Kariega, Sibuya, Shamwari, Pumba, Kichaka, Amakhala, Addo Elephant Park and Kwandwe.

You're invited to recline in our spacious lounge and indulge your senses at the honesty bar in our spacious central lounge which is fully stocked with a variety of excellent South African wines, beers, soft drinks, snacks as well as a selection of fine Twinings tea and Nespresso coffee. Enjoy a moment of repose on the patio or in our pristinely manicured garden area.

Take in the lovely view from our outdoor terrace as you sample some of South Africa's finest wines. Or simply escape entirely to your own room, which offers all the hallmarks of luxury you'd expect - but with an added sense of tranquillity that's all too rare.

* Free WiFi
* Desk area with ample work space, international plugs & USB ports
* DStv (satellite TV)
* Designer bathrooms with bath and shower or shower only
* Soft fluffy bath sheets & bathrobes
* Nespresso coffee machine and a selection of Twinings tea
* Bottled water
* Finest quality 100% percale cotton bed linen with duvets
* Electric blankets
* Mohair blankets
* Personal safe
* Hairdryer

Some rooms or suites have additional facilities such as sleeper couches, separate seating / lounge areas, separate office area / dressing rooms, fireplaces, private balcony / patio / verandah / courtyard with outdoor furniture, self-catering kitchenette and braai / barbeque facilities.

Known as the 'City of Saints', Grahamstown is home to at least 40 religious buildings, which sprung from the evangelical fervour during Grahamstown's heyday. Another story why Grahamstown in the Eastern Cape is called the 'City of Saints', is because in 1846 Royal Engineers in need of building tools sent word to Cape Town requesting a 'vice' be sent to Grahamstown. The message sent back read, "buy vice locally", the reply to which was, "no vice in Grahamstown" - hence the nickname 'City of Saints'.

Grahamstown has a rich history spanning more than 200 years. Founded in 1812 as a military outpost during the turbulent Frontier Wars, it evolved into a bustling city which was, for a time, the second largest in South Africa.

Though it no longer holds that particular title, Grahamstown is more famous today than ever. The city boasts more than 70 heritage sites. It's home to the internationally recognised and prestigious Rhodes University, boasting the highest undergraduate pass rate in South Africa for any university. The University has become a beacon of research and cultural diversity hosting many events throughout the year such as SciFest Africa, The National Arts Festival, Graduation, Intervarsity sporting events, and many more.

Grahamstown is the only city in South Africa whose primary commerce sector is that of education. This educational mecca is home to some of South Africa's top schooling institutions and includes Diocesan School for Girls (DSG), Kingswood College, St Andrew's College, Graeme College, PJ Olivier Hoerskool and Victoria Girl's High School. The Milner offers the ideal accommodation to anyone traveling to one of the many events held by the respective Schools. The guesthouse is located within walking distance of many of the Schools and offers a warm and welcoming environment for the entire family.

Grahamstown is the legal hub of the Eastern Cape housing important legal institutions such as the Magistrate's Court, the Eastern Cape division of the High Court since 1864, and Rhodes University Law School.

This coupled with multiple attorneys and lawyers based locally, accounts for the city's large legal fraternity.

For an ideal base while visiting Grahamstown on business - plan for the day ahead, host a meeting or simply relax - The Milner offers the best in town.

Grahamstown is equally well known for its diverse mix of cultures, exemplified by the annual National Arts Festival - a world-famous institution in itself.

Grahamstown is also the ideal gateway to many more of the Eastern Cape's true gems, including a number of excellent Big 5 game reserves and several blue flag beaches along the pristine Sunshine Coast.

* Swimming pool with pool loungers
* Beautiful manicured garden
* Private dining room or meeting facility
* Catering for small gatherings, birthdays, celebrations
* Large lounge and teenage chill-out room with DStv (satellite TV)
* Fire pit under the trees for outside entertainment
* Outdoor terrace / patio
* Choice of breakfast
* Free WiFi
* Laundry service available
* Honesty bar well stocked with beers, wine, soft drinks, sweet and savoury snacks and treats, as well as a selection of fine Twinings tea and Nespresso coffee
* Wood burning fireplace in main lounge
* Dinners can be provided on request
* Secure, off-street parking
* Library

Grahamstown's rich and eventful history is brought to life through its age-old buildings and monuments. The City boasts over 70 heritage sites, offering a unique exhibition of Georgian, Victiorian and early Edwardian architecture which is commonly regarded as the best in the country. Some of the most prestigious building and monuments include:

The Observatory Museum
The Cathedral
The Botanical Gardens (Settlers Garden)
The 1820 Settlers monument and Fort Selwyn on Gunfire Hill
The Elizabeth Salt Monument
The Provost Prison

A mere 35 minute drive from Grahamstown lies the sunny seaside holiday village of Kenton-on-Sea.

Kenton is nestled between the Bushman's River and the Kariega River, and boasts some of the country's finest blue flag beaches. This little village has a special place in the hearts of South Africans as the ideal holiday location for the entire family offering a wide range of activities from swimming to snorkelling, from skiing to relaxing on the beach, kiting to biking, and from fishing (of all sorts) to horseback riding, Kenton has it all.

The National Arts Festival hosted annually in Grahamstown is the largest celebration of culture and the arts on the African continent, and is certainly a not-to-miss event for any cultural enthusiast.

The Festival runs for 11 days, generally running over the end of June into the start of July and can be separated into two main programmes consisting of Main and Fringe productions respectively. One can witness a wide array of cultural disciplines of display ranging from drama to stand-up-comedy, from opera to magic shows and from craft markets to jazz festivities.

The Festival, like so much that Grahamstown has to offer, is steeped in historical significance of the South Africa we know today. The Festival served as a platform for political protest during the heights of the apartheid era as it has always been open to all, regardless of race, sex or creed. Today it still holds its significance as a breeding ground of cultural innovation and development, whilst the no-censorship philosophy allows artists and cultural enthusiasts to explore news ideas and facets of culture.

We all love eating out and Grahamstown has it's share of places to do just that including excellent restaurants, vibrant pubs and cozy coffee shops.

Other attractions nearby include:

* International Library of African Music (0.45km)
* St Patrick's Church (0.57km)
* Grahamstown Natural Science Museum (0.78km)
* Makana Botanical Gardens (0.90km)
* Artificers Corner (0.97km)
* South Africa's Oldest Letterbox (1.01km)
* Grahamstown Village Green Fair (1.48km)
* Thomas Baines Natures Reserve (9.24km)