Carpe Diem

Hendrina, the owner, was friendly and great to deal with. I didn’t raise any problems, but I’m sure she would have gone out of her way to help if I had. The cottage, which is a converted garage, was freshly painted and very clean, but basic comforts were missing. The hot plate was almost unusable: fine for frying eggs, but not for boiling a pot of water. The lounge is only about 1.5 by 3 metres. It has full DSTV, but everyone had to sit crowded together like at the movies. There was no ceiling or standing fan, so during hot afternoons we all preferred staying in the bedrooms. There also wasn’t room for a table, so we couldn’t have family dinners together. The patio is lovely and has a nice view, unless someone is staying in the cottage next door. Then you look straight at your neighbours having a braai on their patio. There’s only one patio light, mounted far from the seating area, so it’s not possible to sit or eat outside after dark. The main bedroom has an en-suite bathroom, but its basin is actually in the bedroom, something that could easily be fixed. If the other cottage is occupied, its outside light shines directly into the bedroom. The children’s room is another converted double garage, with four dorm-style beds and an overhead fan above each. Two doors lead out of it, one to a toilet with no basin, the other to a shower and basin. I think you can see the issue. It’s neat, clean and close to the beach. None of these things bothered us much on its own, but they added up over a few days. It’s convenient, but not very comfortable.

The beach is quiet, and there are some really nice cafes and restaurants near the shops and town centre, all within walking distance. The flat is lovely, with a beach view and a braai.

The cottage is private, has a lovely view and suits families. It’s pet-friendly and safe for pets. The flat also has a nice ocean view and is a good fit for a family of four. Pets are allowed there too, but it isn’t safe for them, and there’s no private garden where they can roam freely.

The beds were clean and comfortable, not old or worn out. The self-catering place was beautiful and homely, with everything up to date and working. It’s also an easy walk to the beach.