Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse
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Highmoor Road Kamberg Valley, Drakensberg, Elandskop 3275 South Africa
* Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect average nightly room rates, including taxes and fees that are fixed, known to our partners, and due at time of booking. Please see our partners for more details.
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Dining (33)
About
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Travellers' Choice
This charming, country-chic farmhouse hotel on a lake is 9 km from the Ukahlamba Drakensberg World Heritage Site and 49.9 km from the town of Mooi River.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free internet
Free breakfast
Hiking
Children Activities (Kid / Family Friendly)
Spa
Non-smoking hotel
Laundry service
Internet
Bar / lounge
Restaurant
Breakfast buffet
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Room features
Private balcony
Safe
Seating area
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Suites
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
Location
Full view
Contact
Highmoor Road Kamberg Valley, Drakensberg, Elandskop 3275 South Africa
Getting there
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To be greeted after a long, hot journey, by Amen (yes!) & Clinton with home-made lemonade & hot flannels was a great beginning to a wonderful stay. The setting is beautiful: the weaver birds building countless nests outside the bar area, the pretty gardens, the frogs croaking, the rooms, views, wine cellar & the food was FANTASTIC!! We were told the menu & how the food is cooked beforehand & the buffet table was incredible, too. The staff couldn't have been more helpful & friendly, including being able to watch England's game in the Rugby World Cup........I wish we'd had more time there, but I would return in a heartbeat - thank you SO much.
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Date of stay: October 2019
Value
Service
Sleep Quality
Helpful
Went for one night on the way to the coast because of the reputaton of an excellent fine dining experience. The food was very good but fell short of a real tasitng sensation. Not as good as it as in th past.
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Review collected in partnership with Tsogo Sun Hotels
Date of stay: November 2019
Helpful
We stayed 3nights and were really looking forward to a treat. Friends had stayed here a few years ago and extolled the virtues of the whole experience. The location and tranquility of this restaurant with rooms is enchanting. The rooms are adequate, although pretty jaded and our bathroom was in definite need of an update. We were able to enjoy 2 great hikes one on highmoor above the property and the other to the rock paintings at Kamberg both of which afforded us fabulous views of the mountains. Our disappointment lay with the dining experience. I am sure that when Richard Poynton was in the kitchen an evening with him as mine host was a memorable experience. Starting the evening with a trip to the wine cellar to select your wine is a very nice touch. But as a previous reviewer remarked maintaining the formula created by Richard but delivered by his staff feels awkward with them doing their best to deliver the script. We struggled with the food because it was so rich. Everything was beautifully presented but crammed full of cream, butter and sugar. Our main course one, evening came with lamb served with 3 different purées, not a vegetable in sight. This style of food is somewhat outdated ,very Gary Rhodes circa early 2000’s. After 2 days our stomachs were in melt down and begging for salad! We would have enjoyed the dining experience much more if they focussed on presenting a simpler menu of fabulous food created from top quality locally sourced farm goods and did away with the theatrical presentation of the menu. During our 3 day stay the generator was broken which meant we endured 4-6 hours a day with no electricity whilst load shedding occurred. Far from offering us any apology or compensation for the inconvenience they were quick to insist that we paid for a double gin and tonic rather than the single we had asked for at the bar. The staff are trying to do their best but without leadership on site to set the tone and provide guidance on customer service I feel that Cleopatras reign as a top lodge in South Africa is ended.…
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Date of stay: February 2020Trip type: Travelled as a couple
3 Helpful votes
Helpful
The lodge setting and grounds are tranquil and lovely. Our bungalow room was comfortable and relaxing, albeit a little old fashioned, but that added some unique charm and character rather then being a negative, although a ‘spring clean’ wouldn’t go amiss. The main house is in a very pleasing shabby chic style which we happily settled into like we’d lived there for years. The outside lake, flora and fauna makes for a very attractive views. What didn’t work for us was the whole dinning ‘concept’. Being herded together in the lounge with all the other guests to listen to some amateur unintelligible guff about that evenings’ set dinner was self-indulgent pointless nonsense. I assume it is a previous ‘feature’ of the dinning ‘experience’ but it added no value other than to irritate. This is what their website actually says today: “Dinner is a sumptuous 7 course affair with no effort or expense spared to give our guests a memorable dining experience. Richard talks you through every mouthful from pan to plate before you sit down to enjoy his creations, and he doesn’t mind telling you that Cleopatra’s food is all about the tastes, fun and passion that go into good country cooking!” The only problem is Richard Poynton is not ever there and hasn’t been for ages !!! The staff told us he retired quite a few years ago and they only rarely see him. He himself stated in a 2018 social media post that he had little to do with the day to day running of the place. Richard’s role is now taken by the resident local cook and it just doesn’t work. We also had to endure having to eat dinner at the pace of the slowest eating guest, as each set course was served to the whole dinning room each time, which made for a long and tedious evening. The service was also slow; more waiting staff were definitely needed. However, the food served was tasty and of a good quality. When the restaurant was much less busy the waiting time and slowness disappeared. Their web site also states: “ Don’t forget to stay for breakfast, though. The unusual and exciting 3 courses are the icing on the cake of your flavourful time with us” There is only one choice/set hot course served at breakfast. The rest is a standard cold meats, fruits and breads buffet. It was, on both days, highly enjoyable for us - but only if that was what you liked to eat. What is this 3 course promise all about ? The afternoon tea offer was generous and excellent. The initial welcome on arrival at the lodge was apathetic at best, although Clinton, one of the duty managers, offered excellent, charming and thoughtful service well beyond the call of duty. Our view is that this lodge is trading on now, long past and faded glories, when it offered a perhaps unique stay/dinning experience lead by a distinctive chef. Now it attempts to present that same style and service concept but unfortunately fails. It needs to trash the dinner explanation malarkey and simply offer a straightforward good quality restaurant and the place would work better. It also needs to update its website as it is a complete misrepresentation of the actuality.…
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Date of stay: February 2020
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
5 Helpful votes
Helpful
The service in this hotel is second to none with amazingly prepared five course meals which are explained by the chef. You chose your wine by visiting the wine cellar. The views are delightful and it’s great for hiking. The lake is warm and clean and is great for swimming. You can borrow bikes too. You can not fault the service of the hotel. Don’t miss it!
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Date of stay: February 2020Trip type: Travelled with friends
Helpful
PRICE RANGE
US$163 - US$382 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
cleopatra mountain farmhouse hotel balgowan, cleopatra mountain farmhouse kwazulu natal
LOCATION
South AfricaKwaZulu-NatalDrakensberg RegionElandskop
NUMBER OF ROOMS
12
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Claim Your Listing Frequently Asked Questions about Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse
Which popular attractions are close to Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse?
Nearby attractions include Kamberg Nature Reserve (6.4 km).
What are some of the property amenities at Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free breakfast, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge.
What food & drink options are available at Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse?
Guests can enjoy free breakfast, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge during their stay.
Is parking available at Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse?
Yes, free parking is available to guests.
Does Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse have any great views?
Yes, guests often enjoy the mountain view available here.