Mymering Guest House

The animal presence was a lovely addition for us as dog and cat lovers, and the guest houses are so thoughtfully designed, with care in every detail. This was my third visit to Mymering, and each time somehow tops the last. We arrived to the warmth and beauty of the estate, with gorgeous scenery and the charm of harvest season all around us. I also treated myself to a spa treatment this time. It was one of the best massages I’ve ever had, made even more special by the peaceful natural setting. Mymering is a hidden gem with lovely views and hospitality. I loved every moment and can’t wait to return.

We stayed two days on the way from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth, and the staff, especially Leonie, were fantastic. The food was amazing, and the three course set menu is well worth trying. We had a barbecue on the first night with plenty of wood, then ate in the restaurant and tried the wines on the second. The rustic rooms were clean, comfortable and had everything we needed, including a fridge and microwave. It’s a relaxed, safe little oasis. We also had a facial and massage under the oak tree, the best we’ve ever had. A must do.

The room itself was quite nice, and we’d been looking forward to relaxing there, which made this especially disappointing. We booked the superior king suite at Mymering estate for one night but left after two hours. The pool was green, smelly and hadn’t been cleaned before we arrived. The tap water was piping hot, so showering was impossible as well as using the pool. When we raised the problems, the staff didn’t seem able to fix them or offer alternatives, and there were no apologies. We also pointed out the missing kitchen amenities, but that was brushed off. Nobody could say if or when anything would be sorted, so we felt ignored and uneasy about what the rest of the stay would bring, and decided to leave. Afterward, the online exchange with the owner was unpleasant. We hadn’t taken a photo of the pool, a mistake on our part, and the owner later implied we’d lied about its state. They denied fault or responsibility for themselves or their team. The hospitality we’d found elsewhere in the country was missing here.

The food was delicious and well prepared, the restaurant had a relaxing atmosphere, and the wines and bubbly were superb and pleasant. The owners, Andy and Penny, spent time with guests, and we enjoyed dining with them in the evenings. I wish Penny every success with her Spekboom project, which I thought was a great initiative. We spent three blissful days walking among the vineyards and hiking nearby, with great birding too. The rooms were spacious, the mattress comfortable, the bedding cosy, and there was an electric blanket for chilly evenings. The staff were friendly and service oriented.