Blackwaters River Lodge & Mashie Golf Course — Hotel in George

I have just returned from a trip up the Garden Route from Riebeek West, near Cape Town. The area is one I have|got to know well over many years.|This time I had a wonderful new experience. I spent three nights, Friday 25th,26th and 27th of July 2025 at the Blackwaters |River Lodge, situated on the banks of the Goukamma River, just off the road between Sedgefield and Knysna.||The Blackwaters Lodge has 20 beautiful rooms, set on a most peaceful. picturesque large property with endless|green lawns, beautiful trees and flowers and abundant birdlife. The views of the river, forest and hills are stunning.||The welcome I received from the owner and all the other staff I met was always warm and genuine and the service|was quick and efficient to easily serve individuals or medium sized groups.|The room was spacious, spotless, beautifully equipped and with a very comprehensive array of guest amenities.|The Restaurant for all meals was efficient and interesting and the meals delicious.||I really appreciated that the owners place great emphasis on eco-friendly considerations and practices and water|conservation/reuse.||Available facilities and activities include a Swimming Pool, Volleyball Court, 9 hole Mashie Golf Course Hiking Trails and canoes|are available to use on the river.||An interesting plus for me is that the Lodge displays for sale the art of some very talented artists from the area in the|lounge and other areas, and regularly hosts outdoor exhibitions on the lawns on Sundays where one can meet the|artists before, and after, enjoying a very generous and delicious Sunday Lunch.|Artists also regularly host classes for small groups at the Lodge to teach different techniques. ||.|I am chuffed to say that I spoiled myself and arrived home with a new artwork - a painting by the internationally well-known|and very talented Gretha Helberg who is resident very nearby.||When I reluctantly drove away on the Monday I vowed that I will definitely return to Blackwaters River Lodge.||Nigel...

We absolutely LOVED every minute of our Be a Tourist excursion! We've decided to do something fun for our 5th wedding anniversary, and Blackwaters did not disappoint! First we went on a guided 5.5km walk with the very knowledgeable Luke. He kept us entertained with interesting facts about our surroundings, the flora, the bird life and animals they encounter in the area, etc. We were so at ease and the hike was not difficult at all. Luke was very patient with me stopping every now and again to take photos of flowers and the views. Afterwards, we met up with Antoinette for some tea a chocolate tasting. It was so interesting to hear about all the healing properties and benefits of the different teas. A tea lover myself, I quite enjoyed her Rooibos & Buchu tea blend with an added mint leaf or two. It was superb! And paired with some local mint cream dark chocolate from The Mayan Chocolate Company. An absolute treat for the tastebuds! Next up was a guided canoeing trip on the tranquil waters of the Goukamma River. Again with our trusty guide, Luke. He pointed out some local birds to us like Egyptian geese and Yellow-billed ducks, to name a few. We are so lucky to live in such a beautiful place! By the time we were done canoeing, we were quite famished. Going to JuanMichelle's, we ordered some crumbed mushroom chilli poppers for starters, rump steak & chips for hubby and their mussel pot for me. Hubby enjoyed his steak and devoured all 12 mussels by myself. It was just THAT GOOD!!! Thank you for showing us a...

Would have been a 5 star review but for terrible customer service at the end. We were interested in coming for the afternoon for lunch, golf and a swim and called the hotel in the morning to check if we needed to book. No booking required as it's the off season and very quiet. After a great lunch we went for a quick dip in the pool for our child before golf upon which a member of staff said it was for guests only. I explained we I had called earlier to check and that we'd just had lunch and were about to play golf. She brusquely said it was guests only and walked off. Faced with this complete lack of hospitality and at a time when the whole place was essentially empty and nobody in the pool we decided to leave and forget the golf. They just did themselves out at least another 1000 Rand that day on golf and food and drink and we were talking of coming back later in the week with more family. I could understand if it was peak season and crowded but it was anything but. As it is we won't be back and I can't recommend this place to anyone else unfortunately.

*Response from the owner does not address the fact I did ask staff if it was OK first thing. For a better experience we attended Pezula Resort Hotel & Spa as day guests and received outstanding service and full use of facilities without being overnight guests and were made to...