Stephan's Guest House, Umtentweni, South Coast, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa

We booked 6 weeks in advance and were so looking forward to spoiling ourselves for the weekend! I looked at the pictures online and couldn't wait to visit Stephan's Guest House. 

We were however very disappointed on arrival to be put into the 'Giraffe' room - small, dark and dingy. It is nothing like the beautiful room advertised on the web. 

There is very little privacy as the balconies are right next to each other with only frosted glass in between. The outside chairs are small and uncomfortable. There is no door between the bedroom and the toilet! The best part of our stay was the view. 

Great features:

* The view

* Close to Tweni beach

* The shower is spacious

* If you are a meat-eater there is plenty of it served at breakfast


Not so great features:

* Small, dark room

* Uncomfortable furniture

* No privacy - on the toilet or on the balcony

* Breakfast for vegetarians is limited to plastic cheese (processed slices and wedges), toast and cereal. 

* Cold, weak coffee

Price: Expensive for what you get. We've stayed in much                  nicer places for a lot less

Would we go back: Definitely not. This is one of two places we've visited in the last year that we will never return to or recommend to anyone.

Recommended for: A carnivorous single person who really has nowhere else to go for the night.

The host/s: The owner was very friendly over email when I initially made the booking but not so in person. The lady who let us in made us feel unwelcome from the start. The only one who was nice was the lady who made the breakfast. 

For more information and bookings:
www.stephansguesthouse.com

Bathroom (without a door)

Bedroom 

The best part - the view

View from inside the dark room

Bedroom and balcony

Mulberry Guest House, Drummond, KwaZulu Natal, South AFrica

It is hard to believe that there is such a totally different world such a short distance away from the big city. When we arrived at the gate two majestic blue cranes were waiting to greet us! 

The unit is situated within a private 'reserve' so is completely secure and fenced. There is a lovely lake where the animals are fed in the afternoon and you can go and watch buck, peacocks, guinea fowls, secretary birds, herons as well as a wide variety of ducks and geese enjoying the water and their food. 

We spent most of our time walking around the grounds and just taking in the perfect peace and quiet. At night you don't hear any traffic at all, a great place to catch up on your sleep! 

We stayed in the Lavender Room (there are 3 units available - this one, Garden Cottage and Mulberry Cottage) which had huge lavender bushes right outside the door. It was clean and the shower is huge! 

Unfortunately there is only half a wall and no door between the bed and the bathroom so if you are a new (or still romantic couple), you will have to take turns waiting outside while the other one uses the loo. 

There is a communal bar/deck/viewing area close to the owner's house but no outdoor seating area/chairs by the unit.The owner was lovely and made us feel very welcome but unfortunately the unit looks straight onto her family home so there is not much privacy. 

We did however thoroughly enjoy our stay and would recommend it to all nature lovers and peace-seekers. 

Great features:

* Absolute peace and quiet

* Lots of birds and animals

* Clean and comfortable 

Not so great features:

* The half-wall, no-door bathroom

* No outside seating area by the unit

* Looks straight onto owner's family home

Price: Excellent value if you stay in the Mulberry Cottage, it was a bit expensive for the Lavender Room

Would we go back: Definitely - to try out Mulberry Cottage 

Recommended for: Couples 

The host/s: Very warm and welcoming. She even left a little treat in our room because we stayed on my birthday

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

Blue cranes greet you on arrival

Lavender room side view

Lavender room bedroom 

Bathroom

Shower

View from room 

Oxford Road, Sea Park, South Coast, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa

We went up in June this year (2015) and were very happy with our stay at Oxford Road.  The owner's aunts were absolutely fantastic and got our stay off to a wonderful start. In addition to that, we couldn't believe what a good price we paid for such a lovely house!

The house has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, a modern kitchen and scullery, splash pool, dining area and lounge and an outside undercover verandah. It is also just a short drive to the south coast beaches and shops. 

Everything was clean and you can see the place is well looked after. Modern fixtures in all the bedrooms and bathrooms. Comfortable beds and furniture. Well equipped kitchen. 

We went to the beach early in the morning and when it got too hot / windy, the rest of the day was spent relaxing on the awesome loungers around the pool. 

Great features:

* Clean, well maintained, comfortable 

* Close to the beach and shops

* Pool and lovely garden

* Huge main en-suite

Not so great features:

* We didn't have anything to complain about although a certain family member wasn't happy with the solid wall in the front of the house because it blocked the view of the sea. 

Price: Excellent for what you can

Would we go back: Definitely!

Recommended for: Family / group stays

The host/s: I only dealt with the owner over email and he was very friendly and helpful. The aunts who let us in were fantastic! They were also kind enough to allow us a later check-out on the day of departure. 

For more information and bookings:
http://www.safarinow.com/go/oxfordroad/

Undercover verandah

Pool 

Second bathroom

Kitchen

Scullery

Lounge

Pool and awesome loungers

Main bedroom

Main en-suite bathroom 

Third bedroom - 2 single beds

Second bedroom

Riverbend Chalets and Campsite, Umtentweni, South Coast, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa

Another one of our favourites down the South Coast, we have been back on several occasions because of the warm welcome, lovely accommodation and reasonable rates. 

The first time we visited, we stayed in the 'Duiker chalet' - the unit on the same side of the road as the owner's house. It is actually quite big and can sleep 10. 

The upstairs has 2 bedrooms (the main bedroom is en-suite) and there is another bedroom downstairs with it's own bathroom and a double and bunk bed. 

The view is lovely, you look straight onto the trees and plants surrounding the river from your undercover verandah. The area is very quiet and often all you hear are the wide variety of birds that live in the valley below. 

The second two times we stayed, we were in Loerie Lodge which is on the opposite side of the river and has an even more breath-taking view because it is higher up on the hill. This unit has 3 bedrooms and two bathrooms. 

Both units have secure parking and are extremely well maintained with stunning wooden floors. The kitchens are well equipped modern. Everything is clean and neat. 

Great features:

* Ample space for a larger group / family

* Clean and comfortable

* Absolute peace and quiet - perfect for a relaxing weekend /          holiday

* Amazing view and an undercover verandah from which to enjoy it from 

* 5 minute drive from the beautiful Tweni beach

Not so great features:

* I really cannot think of one thing to fault! The family did have some complaints about the lounge furniture but we've always found everything perfect. 

Price: Very reasonable

Would we go back: Most definitely!

Recommended for: Families / groups / couples

Host/s: The owner is absolutely lovely and makes you feel so welcome!

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

Duiker chalet - main bedroom 

Loerie Lodge - bedroom 

Loerie Lodge - verandah / bedroom 

Loerie Lodge - undercover verandah

Loerie Lodge - lounge

Loerie Lodge - kitchen

Loerie Lodge - main bedroom with en-suite

Loerie Lodge - main bedroom 

Loerie Lodge - second bathroom 

Loerie Lodge - view

Illovo River Lodge, Illovo Beach, South Coast, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa

Illovo River Lodge is only a short 25 minute drive from Durban so it's our favourite place to go when we need to get away from the city but time is limited (like after work on a Saturday morning). 

The wooden units are very well maintained and there are two bedrooms (with 2 beds pushed together or separate) and two bathrooms (with a bath and a shower) in each one. This makes it perfect for a small family or two couples. 

Beds are comfortable, the kitchen is well equipped, the view is fantastic! Illovo beach is lovely and just a 5 - 7 minute walk through the grounds.


Great features:


* Stunning view

* 2 beds and 2 baths in each unit

* Close enough to Durban to get away to for just one night

* Lovely beach within walking distance


Not so great features:


* The walk to the beach may be a bit tough for the elderly or infirm



Price: Very reasonable

Recommended for: Couples / small families 

Would we go back: Definitely. We have and will again. 

The host/s: The owner is friendly and has been kind enough to allow us a later check-out in the past. It's best to speak to her about this when you make the booking to avoid the awkward conversation of "So when are you leaving?" when you arrive :-)

For more information and bookings:

www.illovoafrica.co.za 

View from the undercover balcony

View

Communal pool 

View

Kitchen

Lounge

Balcony

Grand Vue, Bazley, South Coast, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa

We rented out this beautiful house for my 30th Birthday and even the fussiest in the family were impressed with how well maintained and modern the unit is.

The view is of course absolutely amazing and we spent a lot of time sitting on the undercover terrace just watching the ocean. 

There was ample space for all with 5 bedrooms (one en-suite) and 3 bathrooms, the kitchen is huge and has everything you need to prepare a gourmet meal! Furniture and beds are comfortable, something which is usually a 'sore point' when we go away.

Great features:

* The view 

* Modern, clean, well equipped

* Quiet neighbourhood, perfect for relaxation and undisturbed sleep

Not so great features:

* The walk to the beach is a bit far and tiring and you have to cross    over the railway line 

Price: Very reasonable for what you get

Would we go back: Definitely!

Recommended for: Family and group stays

The host/s: We only dealt with the owner via email, friendly enough and allowed us a later check-out on the day we left

For more information and booking:
www.grandvue.co.za 

Open plan kitchen 

Lounge

'Honeymoon suite'

Railyway line to cross over to get to the beach

View from the outside

Bathroom 

Bedroom 

Bedroom 

Honeymoon suite bathroom