Royston Hall Guesthouse

The beautiful mornings by the Mzimkhulu River made for an awesome stay, and the property itself is lovely, with lush forest all around it. Driving in felt like an adventure through Jurassic Park. There’s an old building full of charm and a wraparound patio overlooking the pool. The staff were friendly and helpful. I’d wanted to visit this guesthouse for a long time and was excited to finally get there, but the owners weren’t welcoming. We waited a long time at the gate, and the owner didn’t answer our calls to let us in. At check-in, nobody explained breakfast times or gave us the WiFi password. We were moved from room 3 to room 1, where the aircon didn’t work. I reported it, and there were pests in room 1 that could cause ill health. During the load shedding and power outage, the owners didn’t tell us what was happening or ask us to bear with them. I wish they had a reception person and took proper care of their guests.

The rooms were really tidy, and the staff were so friendly. Loved the pool, especially doing aqua aerobics there, it was such a good time. A lovely, beautiful place, and I can truly recommend it.

The quiet at Royston Hall made for the kind of deep sleep that's hard to get away from home, and the views and surrounding plants and wildlife were beautiful. Breakfast was another highlight, made with care and served with a homely feel. Getting there takes a bit of effort. The forest roads are winding and may be tricky for small cars, though our van managed easily in dry weather. When we arrived, the welcome was warm and personal, and we felt at home throughout. We did have an awkward check-in because Booking.com showed the wrong prices, which affected us and the receptionist. Still, we enjoyed the stay and would happily return for the peaceful setting and hospitality.

The host made us feel very welcome. We had a comfortable room, a beautiful view, and a delicious breakfast. Such a lovely place to stay.