Aloe Ridge Self-Catering Accommodation

We loved our stay at Aloe Ridge. This review is about expectations and why you need to know where you are going and sometimes the unknown can be fun.The drive to Aloe Ridge on the last few kilometers is on a dirt road and does have some ups and downs. It's best to be prepared to drive slowly and cautiously. Do NOT rush. An SUV or 4x4 type of vehicle is best suited to the road. We did it with a Ford EcoSport. Please don't try it with a lowered vehicle. You will be so sad if your car gets buggered going in or out.Upon arrival at reception, we were greeted by the most amazing gentleman named Gous (please excuse the spelling if incorrect). A kind and helpful older gentleman. He made it clear that his English was not the best and I made it clear that my Afrikaans going to rival his English. He then showed us the area and explained everything with great excitement. The lodge is close to the river with scenic mountain views and a cosy bar.Gous then instructed us to drive behind him as he took us to our self-catering lodge called the Drakensberg. A gorgeous two-bedroom lodge with its pool and most breathtaking views of the mountain and river.Please note that this place is in the middle of nowhere and it’s highly recommended that you have everything that you need from food to drinks to chargers and plugs. Rather be safe than sorry. They do cater very well with Wi-Fi, a fridge, and firewood for both the braai and indoor fireplace.The outside showers are sublime. You absolutely must shower outside. There are enough towels for bathing and swimming in the pool. You are surrounded by nature constantly and you must be comfortable with it or learn to get comfortable.I am not a fan of birds and lizards but let’s get real, we were in the heart of nature with many of the comforts of home too. It was a compromise. Tiny birds swoop in and out of the house during the day and I accepted that fact. I was part of their home and they were part of our temporary home. Whilst taking an outdoor shower, we even encountered a mini dragon (it was just a lizard).I implore all guests of Aloe Ridge to come prepared physically and mentally. You are going into nature, the 'great outdoors' and you will have many comforts too. But be prepared and take in the sights, sounds, and animals of the terrain. Enjoy the experience. We had load shedding throughout our stay but the lodge did its best to keep us going with generators. Be prepared to come and take a break, to cut off from the outside world and be submerged into the wild with most of the comforts you enjoy at home.We loved the isolation, the peace, and quiet, relaxing and being a part of nature. Keep your expectations realistic regarding the accommodation and you will have a beautiful stay as we did.

This has been our 4th visit to this magnificent location.Our last visit being mid winter ( June 2021)I can only but recommend this accommodation to anybody wanting a relaxed and cozy environment.Clean and very comfortable. In summer the deck pool is amazing.The pricing is good and I would rate this as a world class establishment without a doubt.On contacting the office for wood, assistance, or other requirements, the response is incredibly quick.We will be back, that's for sure.Great work Aloe Ridge team. You guys rock....Peter le Roux

Short version:Mediocre at best. Filthy. Poorly maintained. Horrific access road, requires a 4x4. Many, many issues inside the accommodation ranging from dirty utensils and crockery, to faulty fittings, fixtures and plumbing. Even the couches are falling apart. Not kid friendly - nothing to do except swim and sit around.Really poor, very disappointing experience. Won't be back and won't recommend it to anyone.Long version:The place was so filthy that we had to wash the crockery, glassware and cutlery when we arrived, because it was visibly dirty. The freezer was dirty but we left it that way because we'd cleaned enough. Cobwebs in every corner, and FLIES EVERYWHERE. Severe ant infestation - they got into everything that wasn't sealed. Mouse droppings in the kitchen. Cockroach spotted living inside the stove.Multiple maintenance issues ranging from a faulty geyser, broken couches, faulty plumbing (blocked drains, leaking plugs etc) to even the main sliding door in the lounge being so jammed that it required two people to close. Hosts admitted to being aware of the problem but seemed unconcerned by it.The braai place had two filthy grids and no brush to clean them, and there were no braai implements anywhere to be seen. We had to borrow from the next door house that family members were staying at.The access road is a total disaster and one that is really only navigable by 4x4 type vehicles. It was so bad that a passenger had to get out and remove larger stones from the road just for our regular hatchback to get through. This is an issue that could so easily be resolved if the owners had any interest in the guest experience.There is nothing to do except swim in the admittedly fantastic pool. The river is there but we weren't able to organise canoes. The grassed area at the river requires a rough, non-maintained trail walk to get there from the accommodation. It has no amenities and no shade. A real anticlimax.On our last night, a party was being hosted at the reception and we had to deal with the bass from the music all night long. Lovely.This experience is fine if you're a hardcore nature lover and you want to live amongst baboon spiders, scorpions, mice, ants and flies, but we don't and don't know anyone who is. Won't be back. Don't recommend it.

We spent Christmas at Aloe Ridge, this is one of the best locations to kick back, relax and enjoy the scenery. The accomodation in the perfect setting overlooking the Breede river with its own private pool and Braai area. They also offer white river rafting with guides down the river and a great experience if you have a few mates to share it with

This could be really special but the place is in serious need of maintenance work and a good clean. Please do something before it’s to late. Broken sink taps, broken bedside lights, door handles of front door coming off, cupboard doors falling off the hinges, old and badly broken couches and chairs in the sitting area. We were in Kilimanjaro unit. The views are beautiful. The staff were great. The framework is there just spend a bit on the upkeep and you have a gem for a long time. Some form of backup lights would be a bonus. Not our first visit but sad to say that unless the owners do some work here, it may be the last. Many places available at similar rates but in great condition.

Absolutely beautiful here. It’s about a 3 hour drive from Cape Town, the last stretch is a bit bumpy but it’s worth the drive. We were greeted at the reception house and escorted to our accommodation a short way down the road. The spaces between each house is big enough to ensure privacy and the houses themselves are amazing. The house has two big bedrooms, sleeping up to 4 adults and 2 kids. The lounge is spacious, all with high thatch ceilings and a fire place. Fully furnished and everything you need in the kitchen. The outside deck has a large fireplace for braais, is well lit, under cover if it rains and the view is stunning. The splash pool overlooks the beautiful view. And to top it all off, the rooms each have a large bath with shower as well as an outdoor shower. Such good value for money. Highly recommended

This place is perfect for absolute relaxation. Each house has a spectacular view of the river and surrounding hills which is super peaceful and tranquil. Even the kids had an amazing time in the private pool and exploring the place. The staff were absolutely amazing, we were assisted by Shaunay who welcomed us with a friendly face and gave us a briefing of the house. I accidentally left a personal item behind and Gouws went above and beyond, literally moved heaven and earth to get me back my item, I'm still amazed by his excellent customer service! I already recommended this place a dozen times and I look forward to going back!

The perfect escape from city life! The beautiful house is very private and the views of the river simply breathtaking. They have everything you could possibly need with a cosy fireplace, splash pool on the deck. I would highly recommend Aloe Ridge to anyone that needs to recharge their batteries.

We enjoyed our stay, but please note you need to be prepared to clean the place yourself on arrival. Our unit was filthy!! Management and cleaning staff are unfortunately no wiser after life taught us in the past year the importance of good housekeeping and hygiene. Also the general upkeep of our unit was evident to be poor and the woodwork will soon be dilapidated.