Over 50 Not Too Old For Girls’ Night

Gqeberha’s second annual Ladies’ staycation for those over 50 has reminded attendees that there is no age limit for a sleepover.

It has been 40 years since Cindy Lauper first declared that “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun”, but this annual event assures everyone that the sentiment also applies to older women. 

Hosted by Michelle Brown of  Brown’s PR, the intimate event was launched in 2022 following the Covid-19 lockdown to pump resources into local tourism while fighting covid fatigue.

The inaugural event was held at The Boardwalk Hotel, while this year’s Ladies’ staycation was held at The Beach Hotel.

According to Brown, who insists on keeping the event small with no more than 20 attendees, the criteria for attendance is simple, “The ladies must be over the age of 50”.

The event saw the group of wives, mothers, grandmothers, business owners and career women drop those monikers for the night in favour of having some self-indulgent good time for the weekend.

Ladies’ staycation attendees checked in on a Friday and were allowed to either relax in their rooms or enjoy a Camelot spa treatment. After this, they met up for dinner in the Boardwalk kitchen, at a surprise Chef’s Table! The following day started with their choice of park run, beach walk or a lie-in before meeting for breakfast and optional spa treatments.

Attendees also received gifts from local businesses that share Brown’s vision of “offering older women the space to do a stay-over, locally and to meet other like-minded women”.

According to Suriya Moodley, who has attended both events, her only complaint is the staycation duration.

“It is so amazing, we should extend the time to more than one night,” she says with a laugh, likening the break to the 1998 movie, How Stella Got Her Groove Back with Angela Basset.

“You get to laugh, relax and connect with like-minded people in your age group who understand you and can relate to your family stories and health concerns. We laugh we share and at the end of the day we have made good friends and can go back home feeling rejuvenated and recharged,” she said.

Brown says that the overall feedback of the event has been incredible, with ladies’ staycation attendees calling the experience; “A safe space to share, a chance to meet new friends and an opportunity to relax”.

The goal is to have another event like this next year, which sees women over 50, “Laughing, sharing, caring, connecting. Right here in Nelson Mandela Bay” says Brown.

2 responses to “Over 50 Not Too Old For Girls’ Night”

  1. Michelle Brown Avatar

    Thank you, 041online, Eleanor…for showcasing our fabulous staycation!!!

  2. Lorette Avatar
    Lorette

    Thank you for sharing our experience with your followers. It is indeed an inspiring event and we are looking forward to the next event in 2024. The magic of the sleepover is that it is a small group and that we really do make good friends, because of the more intimate setting.

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