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Do you know uMhlanga’s Peppermint Palace?
For decades, it’s been a local landmark on Ridge Road, with that unmissable pastel exterior.
Built in 1972, it has been one of the area’s most recognisable homes for generations – and those who drive past often wonder what’s behind those walls.
Now, you can actually stay there!
The iconic property has been lovingly renovated by its new owner, Jeannie Sarno, and transformed from a private residence into a luxury seven-bedroom boutique bed and breakfast.
And while the interiors have been given a serious refresh, the ambition was never to erase the building’s past.
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From 1972 to today
Peppermint Palace was designed by George Karpinski, and it was built in 1972 by Charles Gilbert.
“Since the time it was built, it has been a landmark not only to the area but also to the seamen out at sea,” says Jeannie. “The peppermint colour that is seen on the coastline is a definite beacon to any wanderer wanting to know where they’re currently at.”
It began life as a residential home, rather than accommodation, and over the years has had a colourful history of owners and tenants. The house was built to entertain, fitted with a 16-seater cinema and, not too far, a bar fitted with wall-to-ceiling mirrors.
There’s even a local story that Maye Musk, mother of Elon Musk, rented the property for a period!
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A renovation driven by curiosity
Jeannie and her family bought Peppermint Palace about five years ago, and she says the attraction was partly curiosity. Like so many people who had passed the house over the years, they wanted to know what was inside.
“Anyone from the area, and many who have driven past Peppermint Palace, will know that this is a famous landmark,” she says. “As everyone has been extremely curious to know what secrets it holds inside, when we saw that the place went on the market, it was only normal that we wanted to satisfy our curiosity.
“Boy oh boy, did it deliver!”
Inside was a world of red-carpeted rooms, elaborate bathroom tiles, crystal chandeliers and a dramatic spiral staircase leading to the top floor.
But there was a problem - much of it simply couldn't be saved.
“Sadly, it was all beyond salvaging due to the age. The place was well kept, but the fittings were rusted, and the tapestry was tired and disintegrating.'
“The thought of anyone buying it and bringing the place to the ground was just too much to bear. It certainly would have cost less to do this, but as mentioned, this place has a history and is an icon. And there was a vision created at that point of what Peppermint Palace could be in the future.”
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Keeping the palace in Peppermint Palace
The renovation became a balancing act: modernise what needed modernising while keeping as much of the original character as possible. Jeannie says the original marble floors, for example, had suffered from years of staining and were replaced with White Carrara marble shipped from Italy.
The original crystal light fittings and chandeliers were painstakingly removed, cleaned and repaired, with rusted and broken components replaced where possible. The exterior was retained as closely as possible to the original design.
“The concept was to hold on to as much of the original Peppermint Palace as possible,” says Jeannie. “Unfortunately, as much as we tried to salvage the items, it was beyond the point of no return. The curtains just fell apart, the metal links of the light fittings were rusted, carpets had to be taken out and were too old to clean. But hours and months were spent restoring many of the other items that could be kept.”
The old cinema and pub have also been converted into additional rooms, giving those spaces a new purpose while keeping the story of the original house alive.
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The stories are part of the heritage.
Perhaps one of the most fascinating parts of the renovation hasn't been found in the walls, but in the stories.
Jeannie says older generations have shared memories of the property – some amusing, some surprising, and others genuinely heartwarming.
“The place has been sold and resided in by homeowners, and also the place has been rented.”
And now, it has another chapter. Recently, Jeannie was contacted by Sue Barnes and brother Lionel Gilbert, children of the property's original builder, Charles Gilbert.
Sue says visiting the place today was amazing: “Having visited the place about five years ago, I was astounded that everything was as I remembered from when my dad built it.'
They came to see the renovated palace, which was a particularly meaningful moment given that their father died just five years after completing the house. Nothing had been renovated. To go and see it now after the renovations, it was absolutely beautiful – they tried to keep the authenticity, all the original light fittings and features. They’ve done such a lovely job!”
So, what can you expect?
Today, Peppermint Palace offers a rather different way to experience the uMhlanga coastline. The seven-bedroom luxury bed and breakfast combines the home's original sense of grandeur with contemporary comforts, imported Italian marble, antique furnishings and expansive Indian Ocean views.
Guests can wake up overlooking the sea, take in the sweeping staircase and grand interiors, relax beside the pool and enjoy the feeling of staying in a private coastal residence rather than a conventional hotel.
One of the suites is also wheelchair friendly, with direct access from its own garage.
The house's position above the coastline means the ocean becomes part of the experience, from soft morning light to the endless horizon beyond the property.
The palace has been given a new purpose without losing its place in the story of the coastline – and Jeannie hopes that its next chapter will be written by the people who come through its doors.
This time, you don't have to wonder what's inside. You can book a room and find out!
Visit www.peppermintpalace.co.za
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