With spacious and luxurious homes, Melrose is a sought-after, easily accessible suburb with a convenient location.
Since March 2016, Melrose has been home to hotelier, James Peech, who is the founder and director of The Peech Boutique Hotel in North Street. James – who lives with his wife Vicky, children Hugo and Sophie, dogs Cooper, Benson and Thula, and cat Pippa – says they’ve had their eye on the home they now live in (next to the hotel) since opening The Peech in 2004.
An attractive, safe, leafy and well-established neighbourhood, Melrose is a vibrant suburb with many quaint places such as the Wrenrose Centre, awesome cafes, galleries and boutique stores, as well as the James and Ethel Gray Park, which is ideal for family outings or walking the dogs.
James grew up in France. His family were involved in travel so they visited old French chateaus and guesthouses, and many other incredible locations around the world. These early travel experiences sparked an interest in boutique hotels.
“Travelling through Southeast Asia in my early 20s fuelled my intrigue and cemented my passion for creating beautiful, intimate and inspiring spaces. When I arrived in South Africa as a tourist, I knew instantly I wanted to set up my own venture and do something I love – essentially combining travel and design with memorable experiences,” says James.
The Peech is a Fair Trade Tourism certified hotel and this ensures that it constantly strives to make its operations more sustainable and eco-friendly. He says this enables the hotel to minimise its weekly waste to that of an average family household.
He says guests love the hotel for its expansive and lush gardens teeming with birdlife, and the calm and tranquil escape from the bustling city life it provides. “I love what I do, every day is different and that is the challenge I thrive on.”
Melrose has a strong community feel and the Jacaranda season is exquisite
-James Peech, resident.
Dine out:
- Escondido Tapas: for lunch and dinner
- Great Burger Company: for delicious hunger-busters
- Marble in Rosebank: for South African-fare
- Coalition: for thin-crust pizzas
- Tortellini D’Oro: for Italian cuisine
Things to do:
- Visit In Toto Gallery.
- Explore the Keyes Art Mile on First Thursdays.
- Treat yourself to brunch at Arbour Cafe.
- Enjoy sunset walks at the James and Ethel Gray Park.
- Visit Satyagraha House (Gandhi’s home from 1908-1909).
- Go zip-lining at Acrobranch.
Top schools:
- Fairways Primary School
- Kingsmead College
- Pridwin Preparatory School
- Rosebank Primary School
- Saxonwold Primary School
This article originally appeared in Neighbourhood, Sunday Times.
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