Aloe Valley Retreat

It had everything we could ever ask for! The host was amazingly warm and hospitable. The breathtaking views and serene feeling from the clean air! The weather was amazing and the drive was just scenic.

Absolutely nothing!

An absolutely stunning setting. More than worth the travel!

On the way here, you pass an ostrich farm and are warmly welcomed by Belinda. The studio is well-equipped, clean, and good-sized, with a homemade jam waiting for us inside. The pool was warm and welcoming after a lovely walk in the area.

While there is a degree of privacy, the host’s home is quite close to the accommodation, and the pool is located directly in front of her house. This is worth keeping in mind for guests who prefer more separation.

Belinda was accommodating during a very busy season.

Super mooi, knus warm verblijf. Prachtige tuin en heel veel rust. Home made jam was de beste!

Eigenlijk niets.

Beautiful views of the Swartberg mountains. Room well equipped with everything you might need. Belinda very friendly and helpful host.

Stunning views and cozy house.

Nothing

Beautiful little cottage!! We loved staying at Aloe Valley Retreat - it's the perfect spot if you need some peace and quiet. 🥰 Belinda was an amazing host and catered to our every need! 🤍

Perfectly positioned for our road trip flow this😁was a welcome oasis after a travelling day. Everything is well provisioned including a comfy bed with additional blankets for stoep evening enjoyment. A warm and nourishing experience.Thank you.

Nothing missing.

A magical little place that was perfect for our overnight stay in Oudtshoorn - we enjoyed everything about the property. The pool was fantastic and drinking Swartberg Mountains water from a spring fed waterfall was special. Thanks Belinda!

Beautiful cottage surrounded by nature with attention to detail and everything you could ask for! :)

A little bit of paradise in the mountains in the Matjiesrivier region. Belinda warmly greeted us on arrival and was the perfect host, who looked after us so well. The self contained accommodation at the back of the main house was perfect for us.. very quiet with stunning views of the mountains from the patio, and the sky at night was filled with a million stars that were so clear to see. We loved the rural setting, and in particular the fine cockerel and his 4 hens he looked after with dedication and care plus the cats, especially the cheeky Barusca, who was so affectionate and followed us around.. Belinda's lovely touches of care for us included a welcome jar of homemade jam, making bread for us to save driving into town and local fresh "straight from the cow" milk, were a delight. The studio style accommodation works really well, with a full kitchen offering and really comfortable sofa, plus lovely shower and bathroom. And the bed was really comfortable! Despite the chances of load shedding in this area, the apartment is fully prepared with paraffin lamps and solar lights for the infrequent times we were without power, which was always scheduled through Belinda's great communications, so we could work around this.

We loved everything Belinda provided us! Thank you Belinda, we would love to come back!

Amazing scenery, very comfortable and lovely host.

A wonderful location. Peaceful and safe. A lovely swimming pool and well appointed room. Self catering and well equipped.

It was very hot that day and Air con would have helped but we had a fan and due to the netting could keep door and windows open.

Very nice and very clean.

Nothing.

Stunning location, amazing hostess, every convenience you need, plus spotlessly clean.

Nothing.

Bed could have been a little more comfortable. I would recommend a plastic dish cover for the microwave.

Friendly host,

Ideal retreat in the countryside with exceptional views and a gracious host. We loved our stay with Belinda!

lovely large room

not much of a view given the location

Attention

This was such a wonderful getaway! Belinda is the most concerned, lovely hostess, helping me wherever possible -- it rained on the day I left, and she drove ahead of me in her 4x4 to make sure I got out okay (and made treads in the mud for me to follow). The guest cottage is open-plan in the best way, absolutely perfect size for a solo traveller with all the amenities in comfy reach. The kitchen is equipped with most tools/utensils (including a pair of metal chopsticks), and there were cleaning products provided. Though I was prepared for some very chilly nights, with the aid of a gas heater and a quality Canadian duvet, I wasn't cold at all! The wifi was quick and pretty reliable (it was unavailable a couple times, but I can't say for sure whether that was the relay's fault or my devices'), and there are plug points on both sides of the bed, including a 2-prong adapter. Onto outside things: the drive on a dirt road through the Red Hills was ridiculously beautiful, and when I stopped there was no proof of other humans for miles, only the cheep and chitter of wildlife. (I took the slightly longer route through Outshoorn on my way home to Cape Town tho, because my sedan is not set for muddy adventures.) It was a 15-20 minute drive to the Cango Caves from the cottage, and an insanely pretty drive at that, past lush hills on a winding road. The immediate space around the cottage includes awe-inspiring views of the mountains, and a huge sky that would surely have been filled with stars in less overcast weather. Do you like friendly chickens and cats? Come meet friendly chickens and cats! They will be introduced by name and temperament upon arrival. I'm sure I'm leaving something out, but suffice it to say, I had a wonderfully relaxing time, and would love to go back.

This is personal preference, so ymmv, but I had a neck-crick because the pillows were downy-soft. So if you need firm support like I do, switch to one of the cushions on the bed, that did the trick for me from night two. There is a rooster at a neighbouring farm who gets loud from about 5am, so if that sort of noise bothers you, bring earplugs just in case. It's not Belinda's chickens, though, they stay in their pen like good children until later.

This is not just accommodation and its rather a drive into an out of Africa setting… travelling in from the west , there is a stunning vista of the large Swartberg Mountains on your left , and game farms viewed from a windy dirt road. From the porch of the cottage you look straight onto the South side of the Swartberg pass , which is within easy reach from the accommodation. The setting is a typical South African farm cottage, looking onto majestic mountains. The cottage faces east and therefore sunrise is enjoyed whilst the sun rises along the mountains which run from East to West.. when doing Swartberg pass , ideally you can ride up Swartberg pass , traverse the pass into Prince Albert , have lunch at the Lazy Lizzard and then travel back down Meiringspoort pass , two iconic places, with incredible beauty . Belinda is a great host , and responds , advices where possible. The Cottage has all the great details , and is well equipped for almost anything. The setting in the garden , access to pool and garden gives you lots of room to move .. and if you enjoy a farming community, mountains, mountain biking or hiking , walking etc … there is great access to the area , with many attractions including Cango caves. If you are driving in a fancy car , the roads may be challenging, preferably a med SUV type car for the attractions , the road in from Oudtshoorn side is tarred.

You are situated on a rural road , with local community using the road , so you may encounter some rowdy people. For a long stay requiring washing , contact the property ahead of time to confirm .

Set in a beautiful part of SA. We had a great time and Belinda was very helpful and friendly.

The tastefully decorated and well equipped room was a real treat!

Cozy and nicely decorated cottage with wonderful garden and great swimming pool. Looks even nicer in reality than on the pictures. Very quiet and peaceful place. In the evenings you can enjoy the stars from your terrace or from the garden, fleece blankets provided to keep you warm. Kitchen was well equipped so we cooked our own meals.

We should have stayed longer

The furniture. Belinda is very carefull for each detail. Well equiped kitchen. You feel in a real prepared place for guests.

No complains

Beautiful location. Wifi worked great. Lovely swimming pool.

No cushions for garden chairs. Veranda chair broken.

The place is stunning and we love the garden and the whole place. Belinda is so nice and helpful. If you like to enjoy silence and garden and a comfortable pool, you should stay with her. The apartment itself has great furnitures. But you have to notice, privacy in the toilet in the flat is minimal, because you can hear everything 😉 so you should love your partner or go out then. I would stay there anytime and we are planning right now our next stay. We came there with our bicycles and explored the swartberg pass - beautiful 🤩

Such an amazing place and great escape from city-life! The apartments have everything you need, and the amazing host, Belinda, is always just a text away if you have any questions... The scenery is definitely the highlight. Swartberg pass is just breathtakingly beautiful! The affordable price is an added bonus... I'll definitely be back!

Beautiful pool area. Comfortable, neat & clean for 2 adults & 1 small child.

Wi-Fi and or signal. A Wi-Fi extender would be advantageous.

The cozy place and serenity.

The area is just amazing, only nature! Belinda is such an amazing host - with all the details in the cottage, it feels like real home. The view while drinking the morning coffee is spectacular! Really comfy bed! You need to have the car there.

Nothing! Maybe only little hint for "no couples", the bathroom has no ceiling so it's kind of open for the noise into the room ;)

Great accomodation and super child-friendly. There is a stunning wel maintained yard perfect to sit outside and enjoy the environment.

Only point to improve is to have a baby kot available:-)

Facilities and provision of equipment for self catering were excellent. Belinda is a friendly host.overall there is a very nice atmosphere right down to the free range chickens!

It was very clean. Our hostess, Belinda went the extra mile to accommodate our needs.

The photo's made it look like a cottage or house alone, but it was actually a flat adjoined to the main house. The view of the valley and mountains was mainly obscured by a wall, and one could hear nearby locals having their sports event and was quite loud at times.

The unit was very comforable with good furniture. We enjoyed the panoramic drive on the gravel road from Calitz dorp. When we arrived, Belinda welcomed us and have already put the heater on in the cottage.

Nothing to complain about.

Beautiful surroundings, peace and quiet. The host was excellent and attended to our every need. Chalet had everything one could hope for, gas stove included.

No backup power during loadshedding, thus wifi and communication lost. An automated entrance gate would add to safety.

The silence

Far from town

peaceful & well-appointed

A Great host and accommodation was perfect. The facilities were ideal and pool really refreshing

Nothing at all

The cottage is tastefully and functionally appointed and spotlessly clean. Belinda has thought of every detail to make her guests feel welcome and comfortable. The garden is beautiful and organically tended. We were able to drink pure spring water sourced from the surrounding mountains!

We would have preferred a firmer mattress.

Location...was excellent...well equipped and atmosphere was amazing...

Nothing.........it was a amazing stay..