Highlands Lodge Mountain Retreat — Hotel in George

Positives: ||1. The secluded mountain cabins and breautiful views of nature was amazing. ||Negatives:||1. Extremely dirty carpets||2. Dirty kitchen (dead bugs in the kitchen cabinets and food stains on the counter)||3. Leak in the bathroom and no bath for small kids (although I specified we'd be bringing a 2 year old)||4. Bin in the kitchen had no lid and there we had to ask someone where we could place the black bags to be removed and for a replacement black bag. ||5. Management continuously bad mouthed the owner||6. Website clearly indicates no cash to be given so we paid via EFT and balance via credit card on arrival. After payment was made we were asked for a R200 key deposit which would be refunded within 2 weeks of vacating the premises. 6 weeks later I'm still in heated debate with management to have the key deposit refunded. I apparently need to wait until the manager (Marty) had time to go to the bank to deposit my key deposit and on top of that I'm expected to carry the cash deposit fee on this transaction!||7. Management (Marty) came onto our private balcony via a locked door while we were on the premises to remove some deck furntire we had - as she described to the new arrivals - taken from their cabin. Fact is, this was on our deck when we arrived - leading me to question their preparation of the venue for new arrivals.||||I definitely won't go there again with all the other great properties in...

The lodge is nestled in the idyllic Garden Route, surrounded by majestic mountains and lush trees, creating a tranquil haven. However, this serene setting contrasts sharply with the outdated and basic cabins, reminiscent of old caravan park chalets. The cleanliness of the cabins left much to be desired, and the lack of fans or air conditioning made for uncomfortable nights.

While one expects a retreat to provide a break from modern amenities, the absence of WiFi, especially in an area with limited cell phone coverage, was disappointing. To compensate, the owners kindly offered the use of a cell phone to hotspot from the outdoor deck of the reception area, to finish work related matters.

Upon check-in, guests are required to pay a breakage deposit, a common practice in many properties. However, it was frustrating to find that the deposit refund was not processed immediately upon check-out. Despite multiple inquiries, the refund has yet to be received. Refunds are apparently refunded within THREE WEEKS after check-out.

Overall, while the lodge's location offers a peaceful escape, improvements in cabin facilities and customer service are needed to enhance the...

I really enjoyed the nature around the Lodge, the Outeniqua mountains have an nice blend of pine trees and fijnbos. We saw a group on klipspringers on one of our nature walks. The road leading to the lodge is partially gravel, which is what I prefer for a quiet nature experience. Cabins are rustic, have that wooden "foresty" feel, and have the necessary amenities. There is a cafe on site. There is no TV or Wifi, which is a plus and one of the reasons we chose Highlands Lodge. Staff was friendly and accommodating. The whole facility is under new management and being uplifted. The place can be cold so bring your hoodie and enjoy the fireplace in the evenings. Deposit return took a few weeks but it was returned with no hassle or inquiries on our part. I would recommend Highlands Lodge and would like to...