Please tell us a bit about your journey at Walkersons.
I joined the Walkersons family just over three years ago.
What does your job entail?
My job entails overseeing all aspects of the hotel and restaurant. I work with the wonderful Walkersons team to maintain the high standards that we strive for so I’m involved in everything, from staffing and staff training, to maintenance, marketing and ultimately ensuring that our guests have a fabulous stay.
What do you love most about your job?
I love seeing our guests with smiles on their faces. A huge part of that is maintaining the staff morale – a happy team equals happy guests.
What are some of the challenges you face in your line of work and how do you overcome them?
Being in a semi “remote” location means supplies are not always on hand. Having close relationships with suppliers and other establishments in the area helps a lot.
What are some of the most interesting visitors you’ve welcomed?
We have met some very interesting people over the years, but our guests privacy’ is highly respected. Probably the most “interesting” visitor was a slender mongoose in one of our rooms! He was quite comfortable under the bed.
Please give us a short history of The Walkersons.
Dullstroom is traditional farming land, first cultivated by Dutch Settlers in the 1880s. They formed a community that was proclaimed a town in 1892 by Paul Kruger, when Dullstroom boasted all of 48 residents, with eight houses, three stables, 10 cattle kraals and a trading store. Its famous fishing industry dates back to the early 1900s when a trout-like fish called a Fingerling was caught in a river. Some hatchlings were released into local streams and later, the municipal dams were also stocked with 17 000 fingerlings. Fishermen have been in raptures about Dullstroom ever since.
What are some of the things one can enjoy while visiting?
Fly fishing in one of the 14 dams, spa treatments at the onsite Walkersons Spa, eating delicious meals in either the more informal Terrace Restaurant or the more formal Flying Scotsman restaurant, afternoon tea on the Terrace, walks in the 800 hectare estate, and swimming in the pool.
In your experience, what have you found that people gravitate more towards when they visit Walkersons?
All guests are different, but the spa is a favourite with the ladies and most of the men enjoy fishing.
What type of visitor would you recommend Walkersons to?
Walkersons is perfectly suited to guests who want to totally relax and enjoy a romantic getaway. Whether you travel to Walkersons in summer or winter, there is no better place to completely unwind and spend some quality time with your true love.
Visit www.walkersons.co.za for more info.
