26 September 2013

{Teremok Marine}: A Design Lover's Paradise

We're back in Jo'burg after five incredibly beautiful days in Lesotho, which also means that our month of near constant travel has come to an end.  Between PilanesbergBela Bela, Durban and now Lesotho, it feels as though we've been spending more time away than not.  And while I love the feeling of constantly being on the move, for the first time in my life I think I'm actually looking forward to spending the next month at home, catching up on life, studies and work.  No more of this packing and unpacking business for awhile.  
At least not until November that is...


Today I'd planned to continue with the Greece recaps, but then I uploaded photos from Durban and became completely enamored by the design haven that is Teremok Marine.  Located in Umhlanga Rocks and just a short walk away from the Indian Ocean, I was literally in awe of this private residence turned boutique hotel.  The design was flawless.  If I were to create my dream home one day, this would be it.  

The history of Teremok Marine pulses through the walls of the house and remains a central theme carried throughout the suites and common areas.  Initially built by Kotchka Vladykin as a retirement home, the lodge has retained its original Russian name {meaning, little hideaway}.  Russian by birth, Kotchka escaped the Soviet revolution as a young child, initially immigrating to England, and then later making his way to South Africa as a mine surveyor.  Marrying into the diamond industry, he eventually chose to retire in Umhlanga Rocks, carefully designing Teremok to encompass his love for nature and the surrounding Milkwood trees.

Eventually inherited by the Douglases, Teremok Marine was converted into a luxury boutique lodge in 2003 and ultimately re-created into what it is today.  I loved that each suite has been designed with a particular aspect of the Teremok legacy in mind and spent a significant amount of time lost in the old photo books on display in the common area.  Jurg and I stayed in the Milkwood room, appropriately named after Kotchka's adoration for Milkwood trees and situated amongst the branches of the large Milkwood on the property.  With clear views of the Indian ocean from our balcony, our experience was idyllic in every sense of the word.


Because history plays such an extensive role in the Teremok Marine motif, it's difficult not to leave feeling somewhat nostalgic.  It's almost as though you've become so submerged in its history that you've become a part of it, not only saying goodbye to the house, but also to all of those people associated with it who have intricate stories of their own.  Teremok really got under my skin, in the best sort of way.

By the numbers:

Rates: R1,625 {$160} per person per night
Breakfast: Included in the above rate
Laundry & Ironing Service: Included in the above rate

For more information, you can visit their website here.

44 comments:

  1. Wow. Just, wow.

    Also, muffins in flower pots! I'm making a mental note :)

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    1. I loved that too! The owner seriously thinks of everything... that entire place is pinterest worthy!

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  2. Will you stop it?! I fall in love with every place you post about. I'm not sure I have enough money or time to visit all these places, but you somehow manage to make them must-sees! This looks like an amazing get away. I recognised the Russian name immediately, it's also a fast food chain in Russia - not so romantic!

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    1. Ha! That's the problem with South Africa - it's too easy to fall in love with everything :) The longer I stay, I longer my bucket list seems to grow. So funny about the fast food chain, go figure!?

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  3. Wow, what a beautiful lodge. And monkeys? That makes it even better.

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    1. It was insanely gorgeous. Normally I'm not a huge design person, but this place seriously tugged at my heart strings. And the monkeys were definitely awesome... until I got too close trying to take an instagram and they literally chased me into the car. All in the name of blogging, right!?

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  4. Jenna. This looks ridiculously awesome! Those monkey are so cute but I would have hated to see one in the house - no monkey business please!

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    1. Oh, it would have been disastrous. I can't even imagine the outcome. They must have learned to put the sign there for a reason right?... I can only guess that it's happened before.

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  5. i absolutely love sink bowls like that

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    1. Me too! It should be a universal rule that boys and girls need their own sinks ;)

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  6. You guys are so cute together!!!!
    http://johced-ourjourneytoeverywhere.blogspot.com/
    xxx

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    1. Thanks Johlet... you and Cedric are pretty darn cute yourselves :)

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  7. You must be exhausted, but how much fun! This place looks like paradise, I swear y'all find the most wonderful hotels of all time.

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    1. I definitely am a bit exhausted! I think it's because we haven't been traveling constantly, but have been coming home every week, unpacking our bags, and then repacking them when the weekend rolls around all over again. But, this lodge really was incredible... I've never been somewhere quite like it before.

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  8. Both the building and the photos are so very beautiful. I really enjoyed this post.

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    1. Stunning right?! I love that they've kept the history as such a prominent theme throughout the house, it really added something unique.

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  9. The lodgings that you stay in are absolutely gorgeous. However, suddenly the Sheraton I stayed at last week in downtown Montreal is not quite as nice as I remembered - I just have to remind myself that the lobby was full of NHL eye candy (Canada at its finest).

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    1. Hey, I'll take the Sheraton in Montreal any day! Although eye candy is always an added bonus ;) We've been so lucky with our accommodation lately... and have been really fortunate to be able to travel quite a bit over the past month.

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  10. those sinks! oh my gosh. I'm dying over the sinks.

    also, it should be noted that in a post full of pictures of a gorgeous building, I latched onto the sinks. what does that say about me?

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    1. It says you have awesome taste! Those sinks pull at my heart strings, I tell ya'.

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  11. How pretty! The muffins look SO good and the monkeys make me home-sick!

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    1. And I can vouch that they tasted just as incredible as they look! :) Where in South Africa are you originally from?

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  12. The whole lodge just looks like it has a good vibe to it! The cow figure is pretty funny and that's such a cute way to make muffins.

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    1. I loved all the little quirky touches! They seriously thought of everything... completely and utterly pinterest worthy ;)

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  13. Oh my goodness, Jenna, you are totally right! What a beautifully designed hotel (and monkeys? What!!?). So awesome :)

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    1. The monkeys were just the cherry on top! A serious dream home, inside and out.

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  14. THOSE SINKS! THOSE EVERYTHINGS! *insert heart eyes face here*

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    1. I know, right!? The sinks may just have been my very favorite thing... but it's so hard to narrow it down to just one.

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  15. Oh Jenna - that place is gorgeous. Love the blue flowered chairs and the little muffin vases. Obviously a lot of detail has put into that property! Hope you have a lovely month at home. Sometimes catching up and staying put is lovely :)

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    1. They must have spent years on the design and adding all the little details. I'm sort of looking forward to spending some time at home... all this travelling has caused me to put work on the back burner and now it's time to play some serious catch-up! Looks like London is treating you well... for the most part ;)

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  16. you always find the most beautiful hotels to stay at!

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    1. We've been really lucky this past month! A combination of work trips for Jurgen and public holidays in SA have made for the perfect excuse to travel :)

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  17. That monkey sign is too cute and funny!
    And ditto to what Chelsea said, you find the coolest places :)

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    1. He was really cute until him and his friends literally chased me into the car while I was trying to take an instagram! Don't think I've ever run so fast in my life... Jurgen was doubled over in laughter.

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  18. I was admiring this on instagram - such a beautiful place Jenna! I love when I get to stay in a place that is so fantastic that I fantasize about moving in and making it my home!

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    1. Yes! I must say it's a first for me. I've never walked into a place that's so close to being my dream home before. If I ever become a millionaire you better believe I'll be making them an offer they can't refuse ;)

      Loved following along with your Turkey pics... can't wait for the re-caps to start!

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  19. I'm jealous about everything about this trip of yours. First of all, your photo skills are incredible. You really found a way to capture your stay beautifully and so uniquely. Secondly, I have never heard of "Teremok Marine" before, but I love everything about it. It's so eclectic but it flows so well. And that bath! I hope you took advantage of that. I've always wanted a bath smack in the middle of the room. Gorgeous photos!

    abroadsworld.blogspot.com

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    1. What is it about a bath in the middle of the room!? I've always wanted one too. Definitely took advantage of it while I could :) Already wishing we could go back... and maybe just move in while we're at it!

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  20. All of the little details are stunning! And deep sinks + a deep soaking bath basically describes my dream home. :) The little things.

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  21. beautiful pics, beautiful post and those sinks and the monkey "business" lol.
    love it. SA is a beautiful place and i go to beautiful places at times (i work in tourism in Pretoria) i just need to start taking pics and posting them

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  22. Wow Jenna - I have been swooning over each of these photos for the past 15 minutes! Did you take a photography class or teach yourself? You are so talented!!

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Thanks for the love!