Aloe Lane Guest Lodge

Aloe Lane gave our Joburg wedding reception a lovely bush setting, while still being conveniently located. The decor and atmosphere made it feel like a home away from home, and somehow miles from the city. Our family and close friends stayed the night, then we all had breakfast together the next morning. Thanks for making the day so special and memorable.

The venue looks remarkable, but the rest of the experience fell short. Breakfast was meant to be available from 6:30 to 9:30, yet it still wasn’t ready after 8, so we left without eating. The bar menu listed local beers, but none were available, and just after 7 in the morning they were apparently taking stock of the bar fridge. Tea and coffee were charged by the sachet, with no milk or powdered milk. Management seemed absent, staff didn’t know what was happening, and every question was passed to someone else. I wouldn’t recommend this lodge.

We’ve been back a few times now and always look forward to returning. The beds are very comfortable, and the furnishings and decor are top quality. The staff are friendly and quick to help, and the food is always delicious. We also celebrated my youngest daughter’s 21st at the lodge, which was a fabulous, out-of-this-world experience.

The scenery is fabulous and the lodge itself is beautiful, but the management needs serious improvement. I booked the whole lounge and pool area for the day, then was told on arrival that I’d have to share it with other guests. They also charged R100 per person to use the pool, R10 000 for corkage, and R240 to light my own hubbly, none of which had been mentioned beforehand. Management needs training or replacing.