Kamieskroon Cosy Cottage — Hotel in Kamiesberg Local Municipality

It's not often that I complain, but I feel compelled to do so now. Unfortunately our stay at Kamieskroon Cosy Cottages was anything but cosy. Firstly, we were overcharged for what we got. It is also not the price advertised on the website or on other accommodation listings. The photos and info on the website and elsewhere are totally misleading. To start with the front door key doesn’t work properly. It took forever to try and open the door every time we needed to unlock it. The kitchen was totally impractical. The microwave unit is so close above, your head touches it. It's dangerous as you bump your head on the sharp corner trying to work there. You can’t see what’s in the pots whilst cooking. It’s just a mission to try and cook. Then on top of that the lighting was dreadful. Again we could nor see a thing when trying to cook something. Behind the two plate stove there are light switches and plugs. Surely this can’t be safe. When cooking they get splashed with fat and steam. The tap at the sink in the kitchen seriously needs to be replaced. It also took us nearly 10 minutes to figure out which way was hot or cold. A lot of water wasted. The bathroom may be wheelchair friendly but again totally impractical, not to mention dangerous. The whole bathroom is wet and slippery after a shower. It was not safe in that bathroom. The towels are ancient, hard and rough like sandpaper. Also could not figure out hot and cold water in the shower so again a lot of water wasted. In the lounge there is a fire place but no utensils to work with. Also not enough plug points in the unit. People traveling need to charge their laptops and cell phones. Also no WiFi. Was told to use my phone to connect. No mirror and plug point for doing make up or using a hairdryer. The light in the bathroom is as poor as the lighting throughout the unit. As for the bedding. No way was the sheets percale as mentioned on the website. All the bedding including duvets and pillows were old, cheap and of bad quality. Complaints are about the quality and what was charged. Little things like not being there to welcome guests, or no brochure or info pack to help guests navigate their way around the area was also a lack of interest and professionalism. Please also clean the braai grid. It’s never been cleaned and disgusting. On top of that there were cigarette butts lying in the braai area. Also no place to sit outside. So you're stuck inside when at the cottage. No instructions of what to do with the key when leaving. Not even a sms/call/WhatsApp to ask if you enjoyed your stay. We were overcharged and miss informed as to what we got. This accommodation really needs to be upgraded or alternatively charge guests far less. Will definitely never stay there...

We want to let you know we are leaving today, not tommorow.

For your information I'd like to suggest the following :

''Feel'' en smell when entering cottage : Smoke ! YUK (although there is a sign Forbidden to smoke) TIP : open windows 2 hours before quests arrive The loadshedding is not your fault, but it isn't very comfy to have no water if there is no electricity. TIP : put the tank higher , for natural pressure. (which would also save on electricity, and pump doesn't wake up if nextdoor cottage showers at 05:00) Being in a remote dry area, saving water is of the essence. So I kept the water we used to wash veggies etc. in a bucket. when we came back, some1 was 'cleaning' the cottage although we only slept and did our own dishes. Self catering implies (to me) stuff is cleaned when I leave. I leave my lodging clean enough to only mop and cottage is ready (after refreshing linen too) TIP : ask guests is they want a housekeeper go through stuff when away The wifi doesn't work. Very occasionally it does, but cuts of soon. TIP : don't mention wifi available, because it doesn't work even if there is no load shedding ''A cottage'' does imply your alone your cottage. We were woken up more than once by noisy neigbors coming in, and leaving at 05:00 taking looooong showers....(and they'll be here for 4 days). Plus we are on the sunny side of the house with no own veranda/shade/chairs. TIP : u should mention it is a half of a house, not '' a cottage''' We ''stole'' 2 chairs for using to sit in the shade from the other side of the house to sit under the tree in the shade. We saw food being delivered to the other side of the house. Where did that come from ? Is it possible to order somewhere ? No leaflet in our side of the house on things to do/order/find.

Evaluation system we use Beds comfy Water availibility Seating outside in shade to enjoy scenery/glass of wine/reflect on the day/enjo nature+quietness Smell when entering /feeling (smoke, mould , freshness Wifi as promised compare photo's promises mentioned when booking.

Consequently your 'cottage' we'll rate 2/5

Being remote is no excuse for the above we feel we paid too much.

NOTE: I wrote the owner and she said we should have contacted her immediatly. Well, the noisy neigbors came in WHILE we were asleep, that is why we didn't . We stayed 2 instead of 3 nights. You also stated you would have refunded if... Well, you still can... (i noticed now we're back in Europe, names has changed from 'cottage' to cottages. And ''eenheid''. No need to thank me for my review on Lekkeslaap. Good...

This was our 2nd visit to this town and there is something that keeps pulling us back; it is quaint, the people are incredibly helpful, there are coffee shops and there is some fun accomodation. we found Cosy Cottages via Google and the booking was really easy. We got an entire cottage (2 bedrooms) to ourselves and it was fully equipped for self-catering. The chap who let us into the cottage returned with enough firewood to get us through the evening. A nice touch was a large water dispenser with filtered water for drinking and ice in the freezer. Comfortable lounge area, and a private patio with views across the hills outside Kamieskroon.||And to finish off a unique experience, the local restaurant (closed due to Covid) offered to deliver us dinner to the cottage which came with a starter (soup) and dessert (peaches and cream)....