Reviews of Steynshoop self-catering Valley Lodge

Love the place... will call again

Space and facilities

Amazing location and friendly staff. Enjoyed the hike which was well marked but a bit overgrown.

The property is absolutely beautiful and peaceful

Did self-catering

Monkeys

The location is great and has a spectacular view of the Magalies mountain range. It is very peaceful and staff are very friendly and accommodating.

Place really needs an upgrade. Didnt feel clean inside, dirty couches and carpets. Bare minimum on things like cutlery and crockery and most of the amenities dont work properly anymore due to being so old. Its extremely basic, braai provided but no tongs? Dont stay in "Arbour Cottage" as its right by the gate and you have zero privacy and your door opens onto the car park, we requested to be moved

Really well run place, beautiful quality buildings to stay in, and the roads are fine to drive up to. It feels like you're in the middle of nowhere, which is great, a whole palace space to oneself. Really graceful staff members helping us with the walking routes on the property, and within the property a lot of kitchen ware, gas fires, electric fires to use in winter. There was even wood for a nice brai.

The location which is right at the foot of the mountain

The unit we were assigned to was dirty and unkept. It seemed as though it is hardly ever rented out but they did so that weekend due to demand. The whole hose was filthy, couches were grimy and bathrooms mouldy. The thatch roof has clearly not been maintained in a long time as it was dusty and with lots of spider webs. There were piles of dust under the carpets - the carpets themselves were dirty. Housekeeping didn’t bother even sweeping our unit never mind mopping the floors!

Loved this escape! Beautiful gardens and helpful staff.

The view of the mountain is amazing and the serenity is everything.

Nothing.

The place is beautiful and peaceful

The road to the lodge is bad

I was utterly enchanted by the location—it was nothing short of perfection. The photos I’d seen beforehand couldn’t begin to capture the sheer magic and beauty of the place. The moment I arrived, I was transported into a world that felt straight out of a storybook, where every detail exuded elegance and tranquility. The breathtaking views of the mountains, wrapped in a lush green embrace, provided a stunning and serene backdrop. At the heart of this idyllic setting was a crystal-clear lake, its surface reflecting the beauty around it like a flawless mirror. Ducks glided effortlessly across the water, adding a touch of charm and life to the peaceful scene. The gardens were a true masterpiece, bursting with vibrant color and intoxicating fragrance. Rows of blooming roses, each more exquisite than the last, stood alongside soft clusters of pastel hydrangeas, creating a dreamlike palette. Everywhere I turned, there were flowers in full bloom, perfectly framing the space and adding to its natural splendor. What made the location even more special was its warm, country feel. The rustic charm blended effortlessly with the sophisticated elegance of the surroundings, creating a space that felt both inviting and luxurious. It’s the kind of place that wraps you in a cozy embrace while still leaving you in awe of its grandeur. It’s hard to imagine a more perfect setting for a wedding. The romantic ambiance, combined with the serene lake, enchanting gardens, and country charm, creates a magical atmosphere that would make any couple’s special day unforgettable. It’s not just a venue—it’s a place where dreams come to life. Truly spectacular!

While the location itself was breathtaking, there were a few areas that could use improvement to enhance the overall experience. First, we noticed a frog in the kiddies' pool, which, while natural given the outdoor setting, might not be ideal for families with young children. It would be great if the pool could be checked and maintained more frequently to avoid such surprises. Additionally, the room was not ready at the expected check-in time of 2 PM, which was a bit inconvenient after a long drive. The water in the inside bathroom was not hot, which made it difficult to relax and enjoy a proper bath/shower, especially after a day of exploring. The outdoor shower also seemed neglected—it wasn’t as clean as expected, which detracted from its appeal. The monkeys, while adding a fun and wild element to the experience, did end up stealing our rusks. While this is part of the charm of being close to nature, perhaps additional measures could be put in place to prevent them from accessing guest areas. The roads leading to the property were another challenge. They were in poor condition, making it extremely difficult to access the location in a private car. Improving the roads would undoubtedly make the journey more enjoyable and less stressful for visitors. Inside the one-bedroom cottage, a few things stood out. The couch was visibly old and in need of replacement, which detracted from the otherwise cozy atmosphere. The shower walls also appeared dated and were not as clean as they should have been. The outdoor braai area, though charming, wasn’t covered, making it difficult to use during the rain. A covered space would allow guests to enjoy the braai regardless of the weather. There were also quite a few flies, which made it hard to fully relax outdoors. Lastly, the garden lights, while beautiful, were quite bright and made it hard to fall asleep at night. Adjusting the brightness or placement could help maintain the ambiance without affecting guests’ rest.

We booked literally a few hrs before checking in and the place was available and ready for us on arrival. Loved everything about the property, serenity of the surroundings, privacy of the place, the fact that it's deep in the bundus and was not crowded, almost everything was just superb. Our cottage was homely and had everything we needed. We were also given tennis balls and rackets to play tennis on the t/court which was very much enjoyable. The chapel was also open the whole time for one to use if you needed to pray in privacy, which was great! The staff were also helpful throughout our stay, bought us a few items from the shops (at a charge of course). A big thanks to Lerato, she deserves bells!

The property has 2 pools, one private which is attached to a certain cottage and a big communal one. Couldn't get into the bigger pool as it was not cleaned. The pool area also had feacal droppings (not sure if they are from humans or apes as there's some who wander around the yard from time to time). Also didn't get to use Wi-Fi as we couldn't connect/unavailable. One plate from the stove tripped electricity, which was not a big deal as the rest of the plates worked just fine. I recommend the property to invest in Netflix, the available DSTV bouquet was a bit boring. I also suggest proper signage for the offices/reception area as we didn't know where to go on arrival.

- Views were good - tennis court and pool - peaceful

- Coffee was not replenished - no milk sachet - no ice trays and the ice machine they mention in the check list - Built in Kitchen units are old and coming apart - bin wasn’t lined with plastic even though they were aware people were going to check in - no braai utensils to go with the braai stand - couch needs to be reupholstered or re- padded

Pieter was responsive with my questions prior to arrival. He was there to great us. We decided to stay an extra night as the space suited our needs.

The cottage was closest to the automated gate that made a noise in the early hours. Apart from that no complaints.