Palm Leaf Gardens

Meals were $20 a plate, which was just exorbitant, and we had no other choice. The place itself is lovely and clean, and the staff were really helpful, but nobody told us construction was happening. We booked for two people and still had to ask for towels and cutlery. For the price, the kitchen wasn't up to scratch. They call it pet friendly, but there's no fenced area, and they charged us $20 per dog. The neighbours were pretty noisy too. If I pass through again, I'll try to find somewhere else that allows pets.

The grounds are walled and gated, with a security fence, and each guest gets a gate remote attached to their room keys, which is handy. There are two dogs on site. They're friendly but mostly keep to themselves. Breakfast costs extra, so we checked out and ate elsewhere. The lodge is in a newer neighborhood a little off the beaten track, but turned out to be quite a revelation. The staff are very friendly, the rooms clean, and the amenities go beyond what I expected. There are four standard semi-detached units, all en-suite, with a double bed, flat-screen TV with satellite channels, shower, toilet, and wash basin. The rooms are small but practical, with air conditioning, a small bar fridge, and a little rack for hanging shirts or suits. The bedding is clean and comfortable, and extra pillows and a duvet are provided. They also have larger executive suites with more space, a shower and bath tub, and a kitchen. I could see a WiFi signal, but it was secured and the host didn't provide a password.

The gardens stay green, with comfortable places to sit, and the driveways are neatly paved. These guest houses are tidy and sparkling, in a quiet, secure neighbourhood that's not too far from town. They have state-of-the-art designs and the level of privacy you might want.

At Palm Leaf Gardens, my stay was the best. The rooms are kept up well and set up to feel like home. Mrs Garikai, the host, is so friendly and takes care of every need. And the staff, aawww, they really made me feel at home. Shout out to Blessing and Patty.