99 Acres Bangalow Retreat

It was hard to leave. The house has such a calm, zenful feel, and both the rooms and shared spaces are roomy enough that everyone can have their own space. We were unsure about sharing a house at first, but people mostly kept to themselves. The only time we had to coordinate was around the lounge, since that’s where the one TV is, though we only ran into that once. My only suggestion is that guests could be reminded to share the TV considerately. Otherwise, it was a lovely place to get away and clear your head.

The rooms and location are lovely, but my two stars are about how the shared spaces were used. I went to the fridge and found other guests’ things taking up space from top to bottom, even though spaces had been designated. The bench was covered with bags, food and rubbish. There wasn’t another guest around at the time, as everyone and their cars had left the property. The shared washer and dryer were also monopolised by one woman with what looked like a month’s worth of clothes. We’d been caught in the rain, so I asked whether we could use the dryer after her current load. She said, “Not until I get all this done.” When I pointed out that it was shared, she replied, “I’m just going to sit here then until I am done.”

The views were lovely, the grounds immaculate, and the pool was great for a 7 am swim. I enjoyed my night here. If privacy matters, try to book a standalone bungalow, since the rooms in the house adjoin one another. Each room is well appointed and has its own small ensuite, with the kitchen and dining area shared.

Our host Kahn was gracious and couldn’t have been more hospitable. The lemon and orange trees were picked daily, and the whole place had a relaxed feel. The views over the valley face North/Northeast and get plenty of sun. The guesthouse is well appointed, with two living areas and lots of fabulous books. We stayed in one of the Villas, and wow. The pool looked inviting, but we skipped it in Winter. Bangalow is just a two minute drive away, or a 10 minute walk. Highly recommend.