Unfortunately not as expected.
We don't just complain about accommodation and usually overlook small things that might come up - but our stay at Klein Karoo Game Lodge was really very bad. I'm sorry to complain about this, but for the price we paid for the stay (discounted or not) it really wasn't ideal. We never received the code from the owners to get the keys to the gate and open the safe to receive the keys. So we stood outside the gate for 20 minutes to try to call the venue, but with poor reception in the area, we only got hold of the receptionist after 20 minutes, got the code and went in. We arrived at our place and unpacked and wanted to take a hot shower because it was cold and raining. We then found out after another 20 minutes of struggle, there is no hot water. Tried calling reception, couldn't get through due to weak signal Fortunately, my fiance then thought it good to walk around. We then saw that it was a gas geyser and the gas geyser was not connected. After a struggle we eventually got hold of reception and the lady said she was sending someone out. After another half hour, a maintenance man came out to connect the geyser. By this time we are lying in bed watching TV for the cold. We canceled our plans to drive around because we were waiting for the maintenance man. He had to come in to check the water, so couldn't just leave our stuff there alone. He was friendly and said there was a miscommunication. Even after my fiance helped him and kept turning the water on and off, the geyser was connected. The man then left and I tried to shower again. So we came after the water only got lukewarm. Luckily we know gas geysers and my fiance then went back and we found out the geyser was never set. He then warmed it up. We then also found out that the drain was blocked and the water was pushing up and the water was coming out at the side under the ground at the drain next to the house. By the time I'm tired of struggling so leave the shower and don't feel like switching it back on so it gets sorted out. Nevertheless, we checked in at the restaurant for dinner at 18h30. We then tell the manager/receptionist about the blockage. She then said they would sort it out tomorrow morning. Later she comes back and says that the owner says it's "normal" and "aspris" like that so the little flowers can get water. We immediately knew it was just an excuse because my fiance does maintenance and a blocked drain is definitely not "aspris" like that! We'll leave it there. The food was delicious and the waiter very friendly, but had to wait a long time for the bill and then stood at the counter for another 10 minutes waiting for the waiter who was busy in the kitchen. Back at the room I took a shower, the water didn't wash away and had to put a towel in front of the shower so the floor wouldn't get washed away. There is no door in front of the shower, so the towel had to do. My fiance showered in the morning and followed the same routine because the water does not drain in the shower. Long story short, we checked out in the morning and again struggled to check in so I could get the code to store the key in the safe as we drove out. It is a bitterly beautiful place and if it weren't for the plumbing problems, funny feedback and long wait at the restaurant, it would have been really nice. But for the price we paid, you at least expect the plumbing and geyser to be right. This should not be the guest's problem. I really hope we are the only guests who experienced that! The foreigners may think it's normal and that they're in the "wild", but as locals getting away for a weekend, it wasn't convenient at all. I would go so far as to say that the venue should actually give us a refund. They asked for a review, but I don't think they want to see our experience on a public platform. We are very sorry to complain, but I really just feel, if you are using your hard earned money to break away, then the "normal" things like hot water and plumbing should at least be in place!
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