Elands Valley - Stone Lodge

Such a lovely, quiet spot away from all the rush. We were even treated to warm bread straight from the oven.

We loved how peaceful and well kept the place was, with animals all around. Since it was just the start of spring, most of the greenery was only beginning to come through, but it was still a beautiful setting. Our room was nicely arranged and clean, and you can tell the staff take pride in how things look. We arrived just before 7pm because of car trouble. Knowing how tiring late shifts can be, I was amazed by the service and how willing the team was to go the extra mile. We asked not to be disturbed and requested just one cleaning visit while we explored town. When we came back, the unit had been cleaned quickly and efficiently, and there was fresh bread from TA Glara for us. It was Sunday, so the staff were off and we didn't get to say goodbye. I think it's great that the owners give them that day. Thank you to the whole team for such a special stay. I'd gladly return and recommend it for a peaceful break.

The farm is beautiful, with lots of birds, and seeing otters twice was a highlight. But if trout fishing is the reason for your visit, I'd try somewhere else. Over two days, from 05:00 to 18:30, I saw just three trout rise and didn't get a single bump. I even watched something swim across the second largest dam, about 150m from the wall to the fishing jetty, on the surface, and nothing went for it. The dams are full of weed. We stayed at Strawberry Fields cottage, which needs a major upgrade. The roof leaked and the showers are tiny. The listing also doesn't mention that the cottage sits between animal pens and chicken houses. Roosters crowing at 03:00 have a special appeal.

We had a great time in the romantic Strawberry Fields Cottage, and I've already booked another stay in the larger cottage so I can bring friends. The lack of cell reception actually helped us unwind. Inside, everything was clean, neat, and rustic, with thoughtful little touches and nothing out of place. The team made arrival easy by helping us unload the car in under 3 minutes. They cleaned the next day in about 10 minutes, dealt with any problems straight away, and set up the fire for the evening. We also got a delicious fresh loaf of bread as a surprise. The service was friendly from the moment we arrived.