Lemonwood, Dargle, Midlands, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa

If you are searching for a break away from the stresses of big city life, Lemonwood is the place for you!

Situated just off the Dargle/Impendle road, this little piece of heaven is just over an hours drive from Durban but you will feel like you are in another world altogether.

The surrounding area is beautiful, an abundance of plants and trees and only the sound of birds to wake you up in the morning.

The units are just in front of a natural forest where you can go for either short or long hikes then enjoy a dip in the stunning pool. 

Or you could simply sit on the deck and listen to the birds and absorb the natural beauty and peace that surrounds you. 

Accommodation consists of two four-sleeper cottages, one three-sleeper and a small little two-sleeper. 

We stayed in the four sleeper unit - Samango. This spacious unit offers a lovely big kitchen, fire-place, huge screen tv (not that you need one) and en-suite two bedrooms (one with a bath, the other with a shower). 

What is perhaps the most impressive feature however, is the availability of recycling bins for glass, plastic, paper and tins. 

This is the first place we've ever stayed at that has offered this, we usually have to cart all our recycling home with us. It is wonderful to know that there are people out there who care as much about this as we do. 

Great features:

* Sparkling pool

* Beautiful and peaceful surroundings

* Spacious and well equipped

* Recycling bins and a compost container for vegetable and fruit peels so little to no waste at all

Not so great features:

* The other four sleeper unit - Oribi - is much smaller so perhaps better for just couple

* The two sleeper unit is quite far into the forest so does not get much sun. It did look like a fun little spot to stay if you are not too concerned about space and want the 'camping' feel.

Price: Reasonable (Less than R500 per person)

Would we go back: Yes

Recommended for: Small families or couples that enjoy peace and quiet

The host/s: Absolutely fantastic over email and in person. Very welcoming and accommodating, a truly lovely person. 

For more information and bookings:
www.lemonwood.co.za 

Oribi - Lounge/kitchen

Oribi - bedroom 1

Oribi lounge and fireplace

Oribi - second bedroom

Oribi - deck and view

Pool

Samango - deck

Samango - kitchen

Samango - bedroom 1

Samango - bedroom 2

Samango outside

View from Samango 

Cook's Cove, Southport, South Coast, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa

A beautiful garden, comfortable outdoor furniture and literally only a 100m walk to the beach, Cook's Cove is ideal for a summer getaway!

The house sleeps 7 adults and 2 children comfortably in 3 bedrooms - one with a double bed, the second with a double, single and two bunks and the third bedroom with another double bed. 

Two bathrooms each with a shower and bath, a well equipped kitchen, dining-room with a table and chairs, lounge area and wooden deck make it perfect for a group or family holiday. 

Great features:

* Walking distance to a beautiful beach with a tidal pool perfect for the kids

* Spacious, comfortable and clean


Not so great features:

* Across the road from the local bar so if you're a light sleeper, make sure you choose one of the rooms on the opposite side of the house

Price: Excellent value for money (Less than R500 per person)

Would we go back: Definitely!

Recommended for: Groups / families, even a couple wanting to spoil themselves for a weekend

The host/s:  Liaised with the owner only via email and she kindly allowed us an early check in on the day of arrival. The care-taker is absolutely fantastic, she takes excellent care of the property and knows how to make guests feel welcome. 

For more information and bookings:
http://www.wheretostay.co.za/cookscove-self-catering-cottage-accommodation-southport-south-coast

Kitchen

Bathroom 1

Dining area

Bedroom for 3 adults and 2 children

Main bedroom

Second bathroom

Breakfast nook off main bedroom and lounge

Lounge

View from lounge

Third bedroom

Garden

Garden and deck from back of house

Comfortable outdoor furniture

Toad Tree Cottage, Mtunzini, North Coast, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa

When we arrived it was as if we had taken a big step back into the past! The unit is full of old fixtures - brass light switches, old-fashioned round door-knobs, lamps made from vases and a claw-foot bath.  

We loved the little breakfast table and chairs in the kitchen and there were the modern necessities one needs for a self-catering stay. 

The outdoor area is absolutely fantastic - an undercover verandah, table and chairs for six with an umbrella for alfresco dining, an outdoor couch, bench and table and the lovely pool with loungers. 

There are 3 bedrooms (2 with double beds and one with twin beds), sleeping 6 in total and two bathrooms, both with a shower, bath, basin and toilet - enough space and privacy for the entire family. 

Mtunzini is a great town - everything is very well maintained and we did not see any litter at all anywhere. The beach is part of a nature conservancy so you have to pay to access it - which we loved as it meant there were only 10 other people to share it with! 

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at the cottage and spent most of our time around the pool, enjoying being surrounded by trees and an abundance of birds.

Great features:

* Peace and quiet, lots of privacy

* Lovely outdoor area for relaxing and socialising

* Sparkling pool 

* Lots of trees and birds - great for the soul!

* The tv is hidden in a cupboard and there is no 'wifi' so you can just relax and enjoy the beauty and sounds that surround you

Not so great features:

* The downstairs bedroom is a bit dark

Price: Worth every cent! (Less than R500 per person)

Would we go back: Most definitely!

Recommended for: Couples or families looking to get away from the big city life and just relax

The host/s: Not very responsive over email or via sms but he was friendly in person and he gave us our privacy which was greatly appreciated.

For more information and bookings:

www.toadtree.co.za  

Breakfast table and chairs

Downstairs bedroom

Downstairs bedroom

Downstairs bathroom

Upstairs bathroom

Upstairs bedroom

Light switches

Main bedroom upstairs

Pool and chairs

Old lamp

Kitchen - basic but with all you need

Lounge

Undercover verandah and seating area

Lovely pool and loungers

Leopards and Louries, Camperdown, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa

As we do not travel in peak season, this was our last trip for 2015.
We were a bit concerned when we ended up in a small suburb as the website described the place as a 'bush lodge'. However, once inside the gates, we were not disappointed!

The view is absolutely incredible and the rock pool is just as fantastic as the pictures on the website. We thoroughly enjoyed exploring the yard with all of it's 'natural decor' (interesting bits of wood), amazing plants and flowers. 

The room itself is very basic - just a double bed, television, dressing table and chair and another table with a microwave. Unfortunately both units are built on to the owner's house and are right next to each other. 

The walls are paper thin so there is not much privacy. We were lucky that the couple that were staying next door went out for the afternoon so we had the entire place to ourselves. However on the Monday morning there were quite a few people (boarders from what I can gather) on the deck so we didn't even ask for a later check-out. 

Great features:

* Lovely view, peace and quiet

* The breakfast was basic but delicious

* Fantastic pool overlooking the view and a smaller one next to it

* Lots of amazing plants and birds

Not so great features:

* No privacy

* No shower curtain so the bathroom floor gets wet

* Only a microwave for cooking so rather bring your own dinner or go out 

Price: Average for a bed and breakfast (More than R500 per person but includes breakfast)

Would we go back: Probably not, we value our privacy

Recommended for: Couples / singles who are just stopping over for the night and intend on leaving early in the morning.

Host/s: The owner was very hard to get hold of over email and cell-phone but the lady who let us in was fantastic! She really made us feel welcome.

For more information and bookings: www.leopardsandlouries.co.za 

The pool

Outside seating area

Pool and entrance to breakfast deck

Entrance to the unit

Smaller pool

Table outside the room

Bathroom

Bedroom

Breakfast area

Breakfast deck

Some interesting bits of wood 

Another outside seating area