2201 Sanlameer

We had a lovely weekend with the family. Our villa overlooked a small dam, all the rooms had air conditioning, and the kitchen was well equipped. There's plenty for children to do, and the beach is right in front of the resort. It's a very nice resort and golf estate, though it's huge, so depending on where you're staying you may need to drive around. There's a restaurant, a small dining area at the Country Club, and a very expensive superette.

The treatments were high quality and unhurried, and the therapists were professional and friendly. San Lameer Spa has beautiful surroundings and a calm atmosphere that helps you relax straight away. A lovely place to rest and recharge. Make sure you have a passcode to enter the estate before you arrive, as getting one once you're there can be quite a hassle.

I hated my stay and won't come back. We paid a lot, but the service and experience weren't worth the price, and complaining got us nowhere because the staff seemed clueless and powerless to help. The estate is huge, but there's no shuttle or golf cart offered to get around. You have to pay if you need one. We actually had to ride in a dirty security truck from the main gate to the resort reception. The resort held year-end functions without notifying guests. Four companies had functions while we were trying to get into holiday mode. People were in black tie while we walked around in swimming costumes, so it was hard to switch off from work. Holiday guests and function groups also used the same restaurant, with the companies getting priority. I wouldn't recommend this place for a luxury holiday.

We stayed in the hotel on the South Coast of KZN. It had been revamped, and the rooms were spacious, with a minibar, double shower, bathtub, and more. The area is a lively getaway spot tucked into a serene setting about 160 km from Durban, with villas and a private beach.