River Bend Lodge Rooms
River Bend Lodge Rooms Pictures & Reviews (Addo Elephant National Park, South Africa)
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Hi Laura,
Were the Game Drives extra to the cost of the room and if so - how much?
Thanks a lot.
Answer from River Bend Lodge
Jun 2019
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My family of four (with 4 year old and 2 year old) stayed here March 22 and March 23, 2010. I had visited Shamwari previously, and I naively believed that you get what you pay for -- we expected a comparable experience.
To River Bend's credit, our ranger/driver, Darlington, was a jewel and the best we have had on numerous drives in S Africa. Second, the "niceness" of the staff was unparalleled.
Conversely, are you willing to pay $2,000 for staff to be "nice" to you? Everything else was disappointing. While our rooms were beautifully decorated, the carpet had not been vacuumed and within 20 minutes of our arrival, our 4 year old stepped on a devil's thorn. River Bend has an ant problem, and we had a large colony living in the top right corner of our room (hard to miss by anyone with eyes), which spread throughout our luggage. When we complained, the ants were quickly removed - (why couldn't this have happened prior to our arrival?). We had a wasp nest growing on our balcony. (also very hard to miss and not a new addition) That was also removed when we complained. We could not run an even slightly clear bath ..after letting our bath run (on River Bend's suggestion) The water was not just yellow but a dark brown color in our room. The staff said they had had problems and the water was turned off recently.
All of these complaints would be minor should we be paying US$150-$200/night. But at US$1,100, this is truly unacceptable. Ants, no water for bath, wasps.. We had a much better experience at Kwantu which was one fifth the price!
Finally, on our game drives we saw giraffes, zebra and tortoise but no other "big" animals. Apparently, they are adding lions. I didn't think I needed to see lions, but we didn't seem too many animals at all. It seems River Bend is more of a spa, nature reserve. We had to leave River Bend and drive to Addo Park in our car to see elephants.
And finally, to add insult to injury, upon checking out, we were charged a paltry additional $40 for soda's, apple juices and wine which we had been offered at meals and "tea time". Come on, at $1,000/night, you do _not_ charge for apple juice. Or do you?
I have read other reviews of River Bend and they are glowing. I would suggest that perhaps others did not have small children and weren't concerned about wasps, ants, housekeeping or perhaps they don't expect much for $1,000/night. As an american who assumes that "nice" comes with a hotel stay, this reserve would have been acceptable at $200/night. I felt robbed at the price we paid.
To River Bend's credit, our ranger/driver, Darlington, was a jewel and the best we have had on numerous drives in S Africa. Second, the "niceness" of the staff was unparalleled.
Conversely, are you willing to pay $2,000 for staff to be "nice" to you? Everything else was disappointing. While our rooms were beautifully decorated, the carpet had not been vacuumed and within 20 minutes of our arrival, our 4 year old stepped on a devil's thorn. River Bend has an ant problem, and we had a large colony living in the top right corner of our room (hard to miss by anyone with eyes), which spread throughout our luggage. When we complained, the ants were quickly removed - (why couldn't this have happened prior to our arrival?). We had a wasp nest growing on our balcony. (also very hard to miss and not a new addition) That was also removed when we complained. We could not run an even slightly clear bath ..after letting our bath run (on River Bend's suggestion) The water was not just yellow but a dark brown color in our room. The staff said they had had problems and the water was turned off recently.
All of these complaints would be minor should we be paying US$150-$200/night. But at US$1,100, this is truly unacceptable. Ants, no water for bath, wasps.. We had a much better experience at Kwantu which was one fifth the price!
Finally, on our game drives we saw giraffes, zebra and tortoise but no other "big" animals. Apparently, they are adding lions. I didn't think I needed to see lions, but we didn't seem too many animals at all. It seems River Bend is more of a spa, nature reserve. We had to leave River Bend and drive to Addo Park in our car to see elephants.
And finally, to add insult to injury, upon checking out, we were charged a paltry additional $40 for soda's, apple juices and wine which we had been offered at meals and "tea time". Come on, at $1,000/night, you do _not_ charge for apple juice. Or do you?
I have read other reviews of River Bend and they are glowing. I would suggest that perhaps others did not have small children and weren't concerned about wasps, ants, housekeeping or perhaps they don't expect much for $1,000/night. As an american who assumes that "nice" comes with a hotel stay, this reserve would have been acceptable at $200/night. I felt robbed at the price we paid.
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Beautiful setting. Very quiet and undisturbed. All staff are very friendly and accomodating.
Rooms are extremely spacious and comfortable with perfect interleading room for children.
Game drives at your leisure with an entire vehicle and guide dedicated to our family.
We had a great stay.
Rooms are extremely spacious and comfortable with perfect interleading room for children.
Game drives at your leisure with an entire vehicle and guide dedicated to our family.
We had a great stay.
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
This lodge was wonderful! The morning game drives started at 6:30a, which was fabulous after other lodge start times at 6:00a--the extra 1/2 hour makes a difference. We loved that the morning wake up was a lovely pot of coffee or tea brought to our room. We also enjoyed the flexibility and intimacy of the meals. Meals were available in the dining room for individual seating during specified hours, no set time--a joy to eat at a time that suited us without other couples/families at the same table. The meals were great--well prepared and very tasty. Our room was very spacious and the view across the game reserve was beautiful--we saw zebra and warthogs from our veranda. The outdoor shower and indoor claw foot tub were great extras. The staff was super friendly and helpful. I also recommend a massage at the spa!
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Responded 15 Oct 2016
Dear Sleddoggie
Greetings from River Bend Lodge.
Thank you for taking the time to share with me your detailed feedback regarding your recent stay with us. We aim for nothing less than a wonderful experience for all of our guests and we are delighted that we met your expectations.
We hope that we will be able to welcome you back to River Bend Lodge in the not too distant future.
Warm Regards
The River Bend Lodge Team
Greetings from River Bend Lodge.
Thank you for taking the time to share with me your detailed feedback regarding your recent stay with us. We aim for nothing less than a wonderful experience for all of our guests and we are delighted that we met your expectations.
We hope that we will be able to welcome you back to River Bend Lodge in the not too distant future.
Warm Regards
The River Bend Lodge Team
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Loved it. Stayed with wife and a little kid (2yrs). Service from the first minute on: Just perfect. Big room. Best dinner & breakfast I had in years...(our child ate the vegetables at dinner without complains!) Game Drives just awesome - Jacques is the best guide ever.
Yes, a bit on the expensive side, but well worth the money.
VERY family friendly - there's a games room and toys.
Yes, a bit on the expensive side, but well worth the money.
VERY family friendly - there's a games room and toys.
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Responded 06 Sept 2018
Dear Macsiegl
Thank you so much for choosing to stay at River Bend Lodge, thank you so much for your wonderful review. River Bend is absolutely a family lodge and we enjoy having the little ones here so much, great to hear all the vegetables were consumed with ease. Jacques knowledge and passion for nature and conservation is extraordinary and I pleased to hear you have enjoyed your time with him.
We do hope we will welcome your family back soon.
Regards,
Leilani
Thank you so much for choosing to stay at River Bend Lodge, thank you so much for your wonderful review. River Bend is absolutely a family lodge and we enjoy having the little ones here so much, great to hear all the vegetables were consumed with ease. Jacques knowledge and passion for nature and conservation is extraordinary and I pleased to hear you have enjoyed your time with him.
We do hope we will welcome your family back soon.
Regards,
Leilani
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
This was a truly amazing experience. We loved the honeymoon suite, the game drives with elias, the food, the silence and peace of the hotel. the service was impeccable with high flexibility and heartfelt dedication. we will come back with our kids one day!
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Room Tip: honeymoon suite with pool - awesome!
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Responded 15 May 2015
Thank you for the great review! We will be sure to be ready to welcome some more River Bend Mini Rangers into our team upon your return with the kids.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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Game Drives are included in the All Inclusive rate -
but not in the B&B rate