Travel reviews by Mr & Mrs H from Herts

"Another most enjoyable visit. We missed the welcome from the Irish Wolfhound(?) who has unhappily died since we were last there. They need a replacement though those frightened of dogs might not agree!

Klippe Rivier makes an excellent stopping off point for 1-2 nights for those who like a break between Cape Town and Knysna and Plettenberg Bay"

"We enjoyed a great welcome on our return. The staff are lovely and go out of their way to be helpful. The situation is gorgeous.

Even the monkeys trying to help themselves to our breakfasts are a great cause for amusement. There is plenty to do in the neighbourhood but equally good for those who might wish to stay in and relax.

This has been our third visit and it remains our favourite place in South Africa."

"The new bathroom extensions are very good and have not spoilt the outdoor feel as the large windows remain. Management could do with a bit of tightening up especially on the maintenance side. Trivial matters such as catches on doors and the very original box which contains tea, coffee etc need repair as they give a bad impression. However none of this would stop us returning. We would far rather stay here than down in Knysa as it is so peaceful.

We do wonder why in the 'Morocco' area high up where there is a second pool that tea and coffee is not brewed up there rather than being carried all the way up from below. This cools the beverage and wastes time and the energy of the staff. There was a member of staff up there all the time we were there and he surely could cope."

"The suites are first class. They are very large and comfortable.

We did however have a very bad problem with severe and widespread leaks as a result of the very heavy and prolonged downpour which we experienced on our second night. A pile of clothing just back from the laundry was soaked and required rewashing and ironing and a suitcase had a large puddle of water inside. Luckily cameras and field glasses were elsewhere otherwise the damage could have been significant. Many other suites were, we understand, also affected as was the main building. This part of the development is relatively new and possibly has not been subjected to such heavy rain before.

The rain prevented any activities but the suite was so comfortable that we could happily sit and have a day off reading and relaxing which is not something that I am prone to do when on holiday. We had the extra luxury of having a fire lit for us in the wood burning stove with plenty of fuel. Going to and from the restaurant in the main buliding was not any problem as large umbrellas were supplied and there was shelter from the trees.

We very much enjoyed the bird watching safari and the flora safari. The guides were very knowledgeable and amusing. The milkwood walk was interesting but short. There was a beach safari normally available but this was cancelled due to the weather, probably as much because no one wanted to go out in the downpour as for any other reason. In addition there were two add on extras - a 2 hour boat trip to an island to watch whales, dolphins and seals and a flight along the coast to see the whales etc from above. Both of these were expensive. One of our quartet went on the boat and said that the viewing was excellent with an added bonus of seeing a great white shark. However it was rough and some were seasick.

We had the milkwood walk on our first afternoon and the bird watching safari in the morning of our first full day and the flora safari in the afternoon. On our second full day we could have gone on the beach safari which entails 180 steps up and down to get to the caves though apparently one could stay at beach level if preferred. If we had been able to do this safari there would still have been nothing to do in the afternoon. I think that the choice of safaris and activities was very limited and that more should be available and included in the price. Overall this compares badly with the safaris in the game parks which had morning, afternoon and in some evening game drives.

In the main building drinks service before dinner was excessively slow. Even a bottle of wine took about ten minutes to arrive. The dinner menu was boring and unimaginative. It was unchanging from one day to the next. One of our party spoke to the manager and was told that there was meat, a fish and a vegetarian so what more was required. Admittedly the fish was a different species each night and the meat a different venison or beef but rather more variety is called for. Even a half decent chef should be able to produce menus which are diferent over the course of a week though four days should be sufficient as few people are likely to stay longer. Hog Hollow and Phantom Forest could show them how to do it."

"To my mind the place of choice to stay in Stellenbosch. The rooms are spacious and comfortable though on our two stays we have been in rooms across the courtyard and cannot comment on other rooms.

The pool is small but as I hate pools and swimming this did not trouble me though one of our group of four used it and found it satisfactory and warm.

We did not dine in on this visit but my recollection from three years ago was that the food was good. On our last morning breakfast service was abysmally slow. Also the breakfast buffet needs to be watched more closely and replenshed more rapidly.

Maintenance in the bathroom needs to be carried out e.g the bidet taps are coming loose. The electric kettle was temperamental and needed a few bangs to get it to work."