Gaikou Lodge

I liked how spacious and luxurious the room felt, especially the handy spots for hanging clothes and putting away luggage. Gaikou Lodge is a lovely hidden gem in Swellendam, with mountain views, guinea fowl and the occasional baboon adding to its character. The staff were genuinely friendly and made me feel at home. I did miss having a full-length mirror in such a large room. Breakfast was OK, though plain yogurt with the muesli would be a welcome option for guests who can’t have much sugar first thing, including people with diabetes.

The walking trails and views were hard to beat, and the pool was clean. Gaikou is close to town, and some local restaurants will even deliver to your room for free. Breakfast was divine, the room was stunning, and the receptionist gave me such a warm welcome. I had a wonderful time and will definitely come back.

The setting is wonderfully spacious and peaceful, and from the veranda you can watch monkeys wandering through the grass. The lodges are very chic, though a bit pricey. Breakfast was very good, but they don’t serve dinner. One thing they could improve is the curtains, since quite a lot of light comes through.

WiFi didn’t work, and there were staffing problems that meant breakfast orders were taken table by table, so the wait for food was long. Even so, the staff were helpful and welcoming, and it’s a really nice place to relax in Swellendam. I’d stay here again.