Lions Rock River Lodge

I spent the weekend here with my gent for my birthday. It's a quiet, attractive spot with lovely views, well suited to a couple's outing. Breakfast was included and really good, and I went back for a second helping during our stay. The TV was a letdown, though. I expected to relax with Netflix or Showmax, but it only had the usual DStv channels we already get at home, and even the DStv music channels were blocked. If you like having music on, bring your own speaker.

The staff were really friendly and ready to help, and the food by the river was tasty and plentiful, even if it wasn't fancy. Breakfast was nice too. Our room was large, with a great view and comfortable beds. There's no air conditioning, but we didn't mind since we could swim late at night. I did miss having a mosquito net door so we could sleep with the door open. The place is a little dated, though most areas are well maintained. That older feel also means it's cheaper than many lodges with private pools. Don't expect resort-level luxury, but if you want a bit of luxury on a budget, this works well.

My first night in a tent was such a great experience, sleeping beside the river. The atmosphere was relaxing and everyone was very friendly.

The view was breathtaking, and our double-storey cabin was spacious and clean, with working appliances and a large TV. The beds and pillows were very comfortable, and we had a spa bath and a huge shower. The private pool was a treat for the family. They had also left Doom there, which I thought was a nice touch for a city family. When the power went out, it was restored right away. I do think the bathroom could use an upgrade. We didn't try the food because we ate out, and didn't visit the bar at the tented camps because the weather wasn't great. We'll return even without the bathroom work. The location is handy, on the main road near Hazyview and other attractions. I didn't like that pool technicians came to fix or clean the pump while we were enjoying our last couple of hours in the room. With them standing right outside, I couldn't get dressed with the sliding door curtain open.