The Old Fort Estate

The Villa 

The Old Fort Estate & The Sugar House reflect their plantation house roots allowing guests to enjoy island living to the fullest. Once a working sugar plantation dating back to the Middle Ages, the Old Fort Estate has been constructed with cobblestones and wood beams in the classic French-Mediterranean style. Set in large renovated estate buildings, wholly rebuilt using the original stone, forming the centre of an incredible estate comprising six spacious and uniquely styled suites, a fully self-contained two-bedroom luxury villa, The Sugar House.

Both The Old Fort & The Sugar House can be rented individually for smaller groups. When rented separately only, The Old Fort has access to the swimming pool. The Sugar House is nestled within the walled grounds of the ancient sugar mill dating back to the 18th century. Designed by Mustique-based architect Thomas Dehen, offering spectacular views overlooking the estate’s feet and the Caribbean Sea.

The villa features a sizeable custom-built mahogany kitchen equipped with modern-day appliances. Walking through, it opens into a large circular open-plan living, dining & entertaining area. The feature high-arched, wooden circular roof is breathtaking. The middle of this area is a large hardwood dining table with seating for 8 guests plus a daybed for reading and afternoon siestas. There is a beautiful blurring of the lines between indoor & outdoor living as the area moves into the lush, tropical gardens.

The Location

An oasis of tranquillity, yet less than a 10-minute drive to the main town of Port Elizabeth, the bars & restaurants of the Belmont Walkway and the calm waters that lap the white sands of Princess Margaret & Lower Bay. Take a stroll across your private Mt. Pleasant estate, enjoying the cool breezes & encountering numerous tropical fruit trees, bird species, land turtles & brightly coloured iguanas – feel at one with nature. There are also two neighbouring beaches, Ravine Bay and Hope Bay, which are only a short hike from the property.

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The Old Fort

This estate is designed to facilitate seamless entertainment, catering perfectly to groups or large families of up to 16 individuals. With separate sleeping accommodations, it offers an optimal balance between togetherness and privacy. Guests can enjoy being together, relishing shared experiences and making lasting memories while also having the luxury of retreating to their private spaces for personal relaxation. This arrangement ensures that everyone can find their tranquil haven within the estate, creating an atmosphere of harmony and comfort.

The Primary Suite is an extensive two-bedroom suite located above the living and dining room on the second floor of the plantation house building. It comprises a primary bedroom suite with a four-poster king-sized bed and an additional bedroom with a queen-sized bed. It has a large custom-made en-suite bathroom with a natural pebbled bathtub and a large sitting room with a library. Fantasy has beautiful hardwood floors, a fridge and high arched hardwood ceilings on the top and a ceiling fan. This grand suite has two balconies from which one can relax and enjoy the stunning views overlooking the estate and the numerous islands stretching Southward.

The Top Tower Suite is located at the plantation building’s central tower. This spectacular suite features breathtaking 360-degree views on all sides. It has been a favourite for numerous guests who have visited over the years due to its array of windows on each side that open to enjoy the views. It consists of a four-poster king-sized bed overlooking the ultimate view from the property, a sofa, a fridge, and an en-suite bathroom with a custom open pebbled shower. A powerful ceiling fan keeps the room cool on windless days. This suite has been mentioned in numerous travel magazines as one of the best (if not the best) on all islands.

The Honey Suite is in the middle of the central tower and evokes an incredibly romantic atmosphere due to its ambience and surrounding stone walls. It comprises a four-poster king-sized bed, en-suite bathroom, sitting area, fridge, and fan. Its main entrance is its balcony, where one can quickly get to the other parts of the property. Honeymooners and couples love this room due to its relaxed, calm and romantic feel.

The Planter’s Suite is the only one still partly standing when restoration of the over 250-year-old plantation began. It has hardwood floors and consists of a sitting area, a four-poster king-sized bed, an en-suite bathroom, a fridge and a fan. Located on the ground level of the central tower, it can be accessed by two doors, one of which leads to a circular stone stairway into the main living and dining area, whilst the other takes you through the numerous terraced gardens and patios around the property.

The Petit Nevis Suite is in a separate building above the outside bar and pool area. It comprises a queen-sized bed and an en-suite bathroom and has a balcony from where you can enjoy the majestic views overlooking the numerous Grenadine Islands to the South. The outside balcony sitting area is excellent for relaxing and enjoying the incredible natural atmosphere, especially in the early morning or late evening. The Petit Nevis room benefits from the gentle breeze from the Atlantic Ocean to the East, giving it an incredibly cooling and relaxed feel.

The Sugar House features two large unique en-suite bedrooms, combining historic elements with modern, contemporary living.  The bedrooms are each furnished with king-sized four-poster beds. Highlights include a sitting area and spacious en-suite bathrooms featuring stylish pebble showers, hardwood vanities and glass & marble sinks. One shower is a very generous space with an impressive circular open-air design that offers privacy.

The Sun suite is built within the foundation of the ancient sugar mill, located not far from the main plantation building. It is an extensive comfortable suite with a spacious en-suite bathroom and is surrounded by several large round beautiful glass windows, which all have views into the property gardens. It comprises a king-sized solid-hardwood four-poster bed and a beautiful round open-air natural-pebbled double shower. It has a walk-in closet and a beautiful hand-made vanity with glass sinks and high-end faucets. This suite has an office desk and a large glass door that opens up entirely into the property gardens.

The Sweet suite is built within the foundation of the ancient sugar mill, located not far from the main plantation building. This very spacious suite boasts elegant Balinese furniture. It comprises a custom-made king-sized four-poster bed, a sitting area and a large en-suite bathroom. The bathroom has a solid hardwood vanity, green marble sinks, and a custom round natural pebbled shower. This bedroom has an office desk and a walk-in closet, including two sets of large doors (one glass, one solid wood) from which one can either walk into the property’s gardens or to the room’s private outside stone patio area.

Outdoors

One of the many points to meet on this vast estate is the infinity-edge pool with a shallow children’s area, a natural pebbled cave with a waterfall and a shaded relaxation area.

The outdoor bar just above the pool offers 180-degree views over the Grenadine Islands. The property has numerous comfortable sitting areas, terraces and balconies, and acres of substantial gardens. The estate is over 28 acres, with a trail leading down to a cliff above the ocean.

The Staff

A chef can be appointed for all or some meals, or you may prefer the privacy of taking charge of your kitchen.

The management team of The Old Fort are very flexible. Whether your requirements are for full butler service and kitchen staff providing all meals or a laid-back self-catering experience, your needs can be easily accommodated, including adding additional beds for children.

Services

At Simply Islands, we are dedicated to making your trip memorable by lining up exhilarating activities and experiences for you and your posse. Whatever your needs, you can rely on Simply Islands to make it happen.