Pearl Valley Hotel

A stunning hotel with attentive, friendly staff, spacious, well-arranged rooms, and breathtaking views. The spa and food venue were a wonderful find.

The golf course is lovely and well maintained, but it was extremely overpriced compared with other local courses. We paid close to 10,000 ZAR for two players, including club rental and a cart. It was packed, and we often felt rushed, with a long queue ahead of us the whole time. Our experience was below par. Breakfast was useless. The rooms are spacious and well equipped, but the windows should be replaced with soundproof glass. Outside noises, mainly the ducks, kept us awake at night.

Sadly, my family and I didn't enjoy our stay. The pools were dirty and green, and the main pool floor was covered with dirt and leaves. On a hot 36-degree day there were still no drinks at the pool. The barman said he'd decide whether to serve there based on how many people were around and the weather. Isn't poolside drinks service hotel policy, especially during the December holidays? The mattress was like a hammock, and maybe an actual hammock would've been more comfortable. We left a day early because we just couldn't sleep on it anymore. Our patio was never cleaned, so grass, dirt, and dust blew in and collected there. During our week there, our room was never vacuumed, and the outdoor furniture was covered in spider webs. Breakfast wasn't included. For what this hotel costs, I think it should be. City Lodge costs a fraction as much and includes breakfast, and Fancourt, at the same price, includes it too. I wanted to get my car washed, but no one knew when the car wash was open. Everyone thought it was open, yet it never was. Are you a luxury hotel? There was no vibe. It was boring with a capital B, and didn't cater for families. Sorry, but a lot has to change before I'd come back.

A fantastic, quite challenging course. Definitely worth playing if you get the chance.