Crystal Springs Mountain Lodge Newsletter December 2023

As we welcome the Festive Season and soak up the summer sun, Crystal Springs Mountain Lodge invites our valued Shareholders to ponder the enchantment that sets this destination apart. What makes this Resort an abiding favourite amongst visitors? It's the seamless blend of captivating wildlife encounters, cosy accommodations, top-notch facilities, a family-friendly environment, and warm hospitality - the perfect ingredients for creating unforgettable holiday memories.

With the end of 2023 fast approaching, let's take a moment to rewind and savour the highlights of your Crystal Springs experience. Amidst stunning mountain panoramas, we have curated moments of pure delight through thrilling adventures and the pleasure of leisure within our picturesque facilities. Your support has been the cornerstone of this journey, and we are excited to continue exploring new chapters together. Here's to the beauty of balance, the allure of nature, and the shared joy that defines Crystal Springs Mountain Lodge.

Crystal Springs is home to over 100 species of birds and is fondly referred to as a “birder’s paradise”. We encourage avid birders to bring along their binoculars and download our bird list to bring along on the hiking trails and nature walks. These are just some of the birds you might spot:

African Crowned Eagle
Did you know? Behind the Martial Eagle, the African Crowned Eagle is considered to be the most powerful and ferocious eagle in Africa. It is strong enough to go after prey four to six times its own weight and its talons are strong enough to break spines and crush skulls.

Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill
This omnivorous bird has been made famous by the movie ‘The Lion King’, where it is used as a character named Zazu. They are also called 'flying bananas' because of their huge bills that are yellow and look just like bananas!

Jackal Buzzard
The Jackal Buzzard is often called the most handsome buzzard due to its striking features, including a pale yellow beak with a black tip, robust legs with sharp talons, and captivating plumage. During breeding season, its black and white wing pattern is showcased in aerial displays.

Take a look at how we have been making your home-away-from-home even more special:

Resort and Grounds Maintenance

Solar panels were installed next to the Sales Office to provide power to the administrative building during loadshedding.

The Boma storeroom has been revamped.

A generator room was built for the new generator which provides power during peak seasons to the Entertainment Centre and heat pumps.

Overhead projectors have been installed at the Le Fera Bar for
big-screen sport events.

The fountain was cleared and cleaned of all plants growing around it and stones and succulents were placed around it to give it a fresh, new look.

The barrier poles at the Clubhouse and from Satellite 7 to Satellite 4 were repaired and treated, and the rotten ones were replaced.

The Sales Offices' deck is being refurbished with new planks and viburnums in front of the deck.

A stone table and bench were built at Leopard Ring viewpoint for guests to enjoy sundowners during Game Drives.

The old 4x4 board has been replaced with a new one.

Road signs are being built along the Games Drive routes.

New signs have been put up at the hiking trails.

The pavement at the Entertainment Centre was repaired.

Unit Maintenance:

Bee proofing has been installed in all chimneys at Satellites 4 and 5.

The patio roofs and braai areas at select units have been repaired.

The geysers that burst at units C39 and 42 have been replaced.

The pavement at Satellite 1 has been repaired.

The entrance decks at various units were repaired.

All braai and deck areas have been pressure washed.

The Shop, Sales Deck and Restaurant roofs were redone with Harvey tiles.

Ongoing Projects:

Revamping Patios.

Replacing Kitchen Cupboards.

Upcoming Projects:

New gas braais approved by the board and installation in process.

We take advantage of every opportunity there is, to celebrate special occasions with our Shareholders and guests. Here's a peak at some of the celebrations we've shared with you in 2023:

Father's Day

Red, blue, and yellow were the colours of the day as we celebrated our Super Dads this Father’s Day. The Reception area was decorated with lanterns and mini race cars. Upon arrival, each dad was gifted with a key holder, handmade by our Resort Manager and Team, and a “No. 1 Dad” coffee mug. Le Fera Restaurant hosted a delicious Father's Day lunch buffet, which went down a treat.

Women’s Day

Crystal Springs embraced the spirit of Women’s Day by decorating the Reception in honour of all the beautiful and unique women who are part of the Crystal Springs family. The area was transformed into a charming, feminine space, featuring two exquisite portraits made from newspaper and flowers - truly a sight to behold as our guests arrived. The Le Fera Team treated our lovely ladies to a high tea at the Restaurant, where every lady in attendance was gifted a fresh gerbera.

Adding to the spirit of community and giving, the South African Blood Service (SANBS) had a set up at the Resort and some of our staff took a moment out of their day to generously donate blood to this noble cause.

Heritage Day

Heritage Day would not be the same without a braai! That’s why our Team put together a “braai starter pack” complete with small twigs, a matchbox, some leftovers from wood bundles, and a little packet of sweets to satisfy our guests’ sweet cravings. In true Heritage Day fashion, all the staff, from the front office to entertainment, donned beautiful African print shirts which were custom-made for the day

Seasons of Love

Spring and summer seem to be the months when love starts blooming and, throughout these seasons of love, we had the privilege of organising a variety of intimate dinners and spa dates. However, the moment that really had us swooning was an engagement proposal that took place in September 2023. The Crystal Springs Team took to creating a romantic setting at one of the Resort’s most beautiful lookout points. Against the backdrop of a stunning sunset and majestic mountains, that all-important question was met with a resounding "yes!" A moment that left us all utterly enchanted.

Welcoming you back

Our team is standing ready to welcome you back to your home-away-from-home in 2024. We strive to make every moment of your Crystal Springs holiday an unforgettable moment from the moment you check-in to the moment you leave our gates. We hope to see you soon.

Chasing Waterfalls
The Mpumalanga province stretches across diverse geographical regions of the Country that encompass parts of the Drakensberg Mountains, the Highveld, the Lowveld, and the Lebombo Mountains. Something that many people don’t know, is that the province boasts more waterfalls than any other province in South Africa. With its prime location, Crystal Springs Mountain Lodge offers visitors the opportunity to explore some of the most breath-taking waterfalls in the province. From delicate cascades to towering drops, these waterfalls are a must-see for nature lovers and photography enthusiasts alike.

Need a romantic pamper weekend with your loved one? Book your favourite spa package today and treat yourself to some pampering and relaxation with a range of signature spa treatments designed to soothe both your mind and body.

While you give your family and friends the most thoughtful gift you can – your time, we will give you ours – yummy food and refreshing drinks served with cheerful smiles.
Don't miss out on our picnic basket specials, braai side orders or snack platters for delivery.

Game-viewing in the area, against the backdrop of the gorgeous natural landscape, is made magical by the appearance of animals such as; giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, antelope and leopard.

Your presence has added to the vibrant tapestry of our hospitality journey, and we are immensely thankful for the trust you have placed in us. The joy of serving you has been our greatest gift, and we look forward to welcoming you with open arms in the coming year.

The Crystal Springs Entertainment Team has curated Entertainment Programmes that are jam-packed with fun and exciting activities to keep you engaged and entertained throughout the duration of your holiday.

We are absolutely hooked on reading the stories that our Shareholders and guests share about their experiences at their home-away-from-home. From the depths of our hearts, we want to express our sincere gratitude for letting us be a part of your holiday memories.

“Beautiful Resort nestled between pine trees on a rocky mountain where wild animals roam around freely. The chalets are very clean; from the kitchen to the bedrooms. Beautiful sunset views while enjoying a braai on the chalet's patio which has a built-in braai place. I really enjoyed the heated swimming pool. Big up to friendly staff...you made us feel at home. Crystal Springs will be my regular holiday destination. Keep it up!”

- Makhado Mushumi

“Beautiful place, service was great. Every member of staff is just so great. It's home-away-from-home.”
- Bulelwa Gracious Thomas

“A holiday vacation which has everything for an enjoyable stay including a relaxed atmosphere, wonderful views, friendly staff, excellent service, well-fitted accommodation, with everything you require. We only stayed for a couple of nights but would definitely return for a longer vacation.”

-Janey Jones

“We’re having a great relaxation experience and getaway. The snowfall snowflakes are a bonus The Resort is well-kept and has excellent service, from the maintenance to staff alike. Thank you Crystal Springs Team for your hospitality.””

– Aadil Malek

TENDER WEEKS AVAILABLE
Contact the RHS Property Admin team for more information. propertyadmin@rhservices.co.za

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In Closing

As we reflect on our 2023 journey, the echoes of laughter, the whispers of nature, and the residual warm holiday energy of all of the happy souls that have journeyed through our gate are easily brought to mind. But the highlight for us has been the repeated affirmations of the special place Crystal Springs holds in the hearts of our Shareholders and returning guests. It is apparent that this is a place where the timeless dance of magnificent nature, combined with the nurture and experience of heartfelt hospitality, create a sanctuary where families enter with elation, and depart refreshed and eager to return.

As we look forward to the dawn of 2024, our hearts are filled with gratitude for every Shareholder who has been part of this extraordinary journey. Your trust and partnership have been the bedrock of our success, and we look forward to welcoming the opportunities and adventures that the future holds. May the coming days be filled with the same whimsy, warmth, and joy that define the essence of Crystal Springs Mountain Lodge - a place where memories are not just made but cherished for a lifetime.

Season's Greetings,