Luxurious/unique accom. along Garden Route

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Jan 22nd, 2003, 12:12 PM

Grainne

Guest

Posts: n/a

Luxurious/unique accom. along Garden Route

I am going to SA on my honeymoon in August 2003 and am spending 17 nights there. I had hoped to begin with 3 nights in Shamwari but it doesn't seem to get particularly good write-ups in these pages. Is it worth the money and will we get to see some good game? Also, we want to spend around 9 nights doing the Garden Route and the Winelands, staying in reasonably nice accommodation. Can you recommend any luxurious/quaint/unusual options? Some I have looked at include: Inyathi Guest Lodge, La Couronne, Hunter's Country House, Le Quartier Francais and Hog Hollow Country Lodge, Bosavern Guest House and Bartholomeus Klip. We're ending with 4 nights in Cape Town and staying in the Radisson. Does anyone know what it's like? Thanks - these pages have been really informative and any further details would be greatly appreciated.

Jan 22nd, 2003, 01:11 PM

Selwyn Davidowitz

Guest

Posts: n/a

Hi Grainne In one sentence my opinion is that Shamwari is DEFINITELY NOT worth the money. Please go the thread - "Accom near Addo and Shamwari" on this webpage where you will see what I suggest you do instead of going to Shamwari. Some comments about your choices of guesthouses: Inyathi Guest Lodge – Very average La Couronne – Good accommodation but expensive Hunter's Country House – Fabulous; Expensive but worth the money spent Le Quartier Francais – Good accommodation but not worth the money Hog Hollow Country Lodge – Good accommodation, great food but not everybody’s cup of tea Bosavern Guest House – Do not know this guesthouse Bartholomeus Klip. – Wonderful accommodation; Fabulous food but bear in mind that you are out in the sticks and far from most Other guesthouse sites that I would recommend Cape Town ========= Camps Bay Terrace http://www.campsbayterrace.com Avanti Guesthouse http://www.avanti.co.za/ The Raddison is a very well located hotel and offers good service, accommodation. If you are set on staying in a hotel it will be a good choice Garden Route ============ Overmeer Guesthouse http://www.knysna.co.za/overmeer/ Tsala http://www.tsala.com/ Cape Winelands ============== Cathbert Country House http://www.cathbert.co.za Hope all of the above helps Selwyn Davidowitz

Jan 22nd, 2003, 04:35 PM

Jennifer

Guest

Posts: n/a

We stayed at Inyathi, and while it was nice, it is not a 'luxury' guesthouse. I would definately recommend going to Le Quartier Francais for a meal (it was absolutey wonderful) but I can't comment on their accomodation.

Jan 23rd, 2003, 05:13 AM

Grainne

Guest

Posts: n/a

Thanks a million for the very detailed advice, especially regarding Shamwari. As we are flying via Johannesburg, do you think it would be worth doing a fly-in safari to the Kruger for a few nights? Are you more likely to see game there and do you have any suggestions for lodges? I was a bit worried about having to take malaria tablets in case there were any side-effects. I realise Inyathi isn't luxury but it looked quite unusual. We were hoping to mix and match price ranges and styles. Is it worth a night to be in the centre of Knysna? What do you mean about Hog Hollow not being everyone's cup of tea? A friend of ours works in the Radisson, which is why we are staying there. I understand it's pretty central. I have also checked out a few others and would really appreciate your opinion on them: Auberge Burgundy The Lodge on the Bay (Plettenberg) Plettenberg Park Papyrus Lodge Tsitsikamma Lodge Lanzerac Manor Grootbos St James of Knynsa The Roundhouse (new apartments in Gansbaai) Thanks again!

Jan 23rd, 2003, 07:06 AM

Guest

Posts: n/a

I would also give Inyathi a miss Tsitsikamme National Park is wonderful and you can rent a cabin there overlooking the ocean. It's very romantic for a honeymoon. I highly recommend it !

Jan 23rd, 2003, 12:45 PM

Selwyn Davidowitz

Guest

Posts: n/a

Hi Grainne, I still advise that you do not stay at Inyathi as it not a great shakes place at all and Knysna is not a huge town so most places are central anyway. As far as the other places that you have mentioned I can tell you the following: Auberge Burgundy Nice cosy venue, Very central The Lodge on the Bay (Plettenberg) Plettenberg Park Papyrus Lodge Don’t know any of these 3 venues Tsitsikamma Lodge I agree with CC about the Tsitsikamma National Park however bear in mind that the Tsitsikamma Lodge is a different venue and I would not advise it unless you are into a camping type holiday Lanzerac Manor Very smart and swanky. Expensive, however I believe worth it as the venue is the epitome of tranquillity Grootbos If you are into flowers what more can I say other than BRILLIANT. At the same time may I add that the venue is pricey however worth it. Accommodation is excellent and truly unique. Food is average. Guided tours on the reserve are wonderful. Fantastic relaxing experience St James of Knynsa Good venue that is run by a very hospitable family. Noise from National road could be a problem. The Roundhouse (new apartments in Gansbaai) Don’t know this one at all. >What do you mean about Hog Hollow not being everyone's cup of tea? Hog Hollow is a place where as an example everyone at the lodge eats dinner around the same table. Some people don’t like this concept. The cottages are OK but nothing to write home about. Food is great. The views from the balcony at the restaurant are amazing and the venue is not overpricd. It is slightly off the beaten track which once again might not suit some. >A friend of ours works in the Radisson, which is why we are staying there. I understand it's pretty central. The Raddison is pretty well located. Not totally central but damn close to it Hope this helps Selwyn Davidowitz

Jan 24th, 2003, 03:50 AM

traci

Guest

Posts: n/a

Hi Grainne If you want to do a safari for a few days but are worried about anti-malaria medication, then head for the Waterberg area. Any of the lodges in the Welgevoenden reserve are good (and cheaper than Shamwari). I have stayed at Entabeni (good - go for Ravineside lodge), and Witwater (stunning, excellent service) which is a smaller lodge and I think more romantic for a honeymoon. This area is 2 to 2.5 hours drive out of Johannesburg on good roads.

Apr 30th, 2004, 03:33 AM

Roccco

Join Date: Feb 2003

Posts: 5,553

Likes: 0

Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Topping.

Selwyn or anybody else,

Have you had a chance to visit the Misty Beach Chateau yet in Hermanus?

Here is the link:

http://www.hermanusmistybeach.co.za/newchateau.htm

It does look like a very nice place and I do see that daytrips to the nearby Grootbos are available, if desired. For $600 USD per night, I may be better off skipping Grootbos accomodations to find an alternative nearby.

The Misty Beach Chateau lists a tariff of 1,200 ZAR for the Presidential Suite and 1,100 ZAR for the Honeymoon Suite on its website. I don't know if this is the rate for the room or per person. Either way, I am thinking it has to be way less than the Marine Hermanus and Grootbos, while possibly being more comfortable and personalized.

If not the Misty Beach Chateau, perhaps you have experience with their other two properties, the Misty Manor (formerly known as the Misty Mountain Guest House) or the other place is the Misty Waves Hotel.

They do have very glowing reviews in their guestbook and each property does look very inviting with the Misty Beach Chateau appearing to be very nice. Maybe a good relaxing three night stay, allowing time for whale watching, perhaps cage diving with the great white sharks, and perhaps a daytrip to Grootbos.

I have contacted the Misty Beach Chateau for a clarification on the rates. If it were only 1,200 ZAR per night for the Presidential Suite it would be an incredible bargain, about $160 USD per night. Even at $320 USD it would not be bad if the room was absolutely huge.

Just a few of the gushing reviews from their guest book:

Thank you very much for our wonderful stay! The service was faultless and the Suite the absolute best we have found in our three weeks in South Africa. ( We have been staying in lovely Constantia paying R3200.00 per night - also enjoyed the Shamwari tremendously)We will reccommend you to our friends. Tom & Carole Wimbledon London

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Maxie,Henri,Clinton,Dillon,the twins and little Lerm, Knowing just about all of you by name is indicative of how you made us feel -like one of the family,during our recent stay at Misty chateau and Misty Manor.The accomodation at both was of the highest standard and the ambience beyond discription As for the breakfasts-scrumptious.To you all a big thank you and we hope to see you soon Kind regards. Owen and Jackie Garbman Sea Point,Cape Town

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

To The Misty Beach Chateau - Ownership

Unbelievable!! We have visited South Africa for the fourth time now - With all our visits to your country we have stayed in four and five star hotels - but never before have we experienced the absolute intimate luxury we got at your Boutique Hotel - experiencing the whales up close and hearing them at night was an added bonus. We will be back!! Love to all

Sue and Gerald London UK

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Misty Beach Chateau Very relaxing place. BEST breakfasts we have had in South Africa! We Especially enjoyed your open minded, warm hearted and excellent serviced people. Hubert Weber & Petra Ehrard Munich GERMANY www,igi-munich.com

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

GREAT PLACE, Has taken B&B in South Africa to a new level! See you soon DEC 2003 (Already booked for Easter) Elizabeth & Gerald Solomon

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Presidential Suite at Misty Beach Chateau was outstanding! Especially with all added touches! Would have loved to stay a second night, but OFCOURSE full!! Thus it was spent at Misty on Sea - NOT AT ALL disappointing also lovely. Thanks again to all the lovely staff too! Janine & Shaun du Toit Rondebosch