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Thornycroft Lodge is nestled in the heart of the Horseshoe Valley, on a large country estate resting on the banks of the Nahoon River. The surrounding hills and lush landscape cocoon you in a bubble tranquility, separating you from the city of East London, which is only a 10km drive. An outdoor living approach, coupled with uncomplicated designs and natural tones, creates a relaxed atmosphere where you can really put your feet up, taking on the sounds of the valley. Our spacious guest suites make maximum use of natural light, with large sliding doors opening onto the gardens. Each suite features a double bed, en-suite toilet, fridge. full breakfast is served at R95.00 per person on request. Our spa offers massage treatments which are very popular. To experience absolute bliss combine one of our massage treatments with a sauna or jacuzzi soak. The thatched poolside bar is the heart of the lodge and an ideal way to end the day. Enjoy the game of pool and darts or soak up the sun on the pool
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Charming
Mid-range
Languages Spoken
English, French, Chinese, Dutch and 1 more
Location
C70 Thornycroft Road Horseshoe Valley, East London 5247 South Africa
My stay at ThonyCroft lodge-East London. I was a little dissapointed by how diffrent the place look from the bronchures, It was less than what we expected. The staff were friendly and helpful. I was however shocked to be charged R 200.00 for a pillowcase that my son wrote on, I do expect to pay for my sons mistakes but a set of that kind of pillow cases are ranging between R45.99-R49.55, believe me I checked. so essecially we were charged- X4!!!!. Why??. Anyway I was also bored out of my mind, there is handly anything to do there.
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Date of stay: February 2012
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Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:My stay at ThonyCroft lodge-East London. I was a little dissapointed by how diffrent the place...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We stayed 6 nights at this lodge and was really satisfied with the service, the food and the rooms. Good quality food, clean and neat rooms with friendly staff who went out of their way to make us comfortable. Being on "farm" and in the bush was very pleasant. At night there was an owl calling just outside our room. Plentiful birdlife, a small river within very easy walk. Small buck and rabbits was regularly seen. Well done to the team there. I will stay there again!
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Date of stay: June 2017
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Service
Trip type: Travelled on business
Room Tip:Take the room in the far right hand corner (Number 4) It is quiet and out of the way.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Th0rnycr0ft, Owner at Thornycroft Lodge and Spa
Responded 13 Jun 2017
Dear Mr and Mrs Liebenberg Thank you so much for the nice review! We really appreciate our guests's reviews and are always excited to share your comments with our staff, as they work hard to make the guests enjoy their stay. We hope to see you again! Warm regards from all of us!
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I hosted my mother's 50th birthday.The staff was very welcoming. The owner Elsa was very friendly and helpful.When we got there,the venue was ready on time,tables were set nicely in white.
Will definately go back.
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Date of stay: July 2016
Value
Service
Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Elsa R, General Manager at Thornycroft Lodge and Spa
Responded 21 Jul 2016
Dear Lunathi Thank you for your kind words we much appreciate it. We are looking forward to seeing you back soon. Warm Regards Henna
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I am in the process of having this establishment's AA accreditation revoked as Elsa is possibly the most revoltingly rude person I have ever in my life had to deal with. I was really looking forward to staying at Thornycroft, however, I unfortunately had to cancel and the treatment I've had since I sent through the cancellation has made me thank heavens that I didn't step foot in the place! Elsa is crass, rude and incredibly obtuse when asked the simplest of questions, namely, for a copy of the cancellation policy. I cancelled over a month in advance of my stay and have been refused a refund. Elsa said that because she had only read the e-mail a month before, I wasn't entitled to a refund, which is non-sensical, not legal and not to mention utter rubbish. No matter how many times I told her to have a look at the time and date stamp of my cancellation (33 days in advance of my booking), she continued to say that I had only cancelled a month before. I find it very difficult to believe that a person who runs a business (albeit, badly) fails to check their e-mails for more than a day. I then asked for a copy of the cancellation policy, a request which was ignored, despite a number of e-mails and a phonecall. 3 days after my cancellation, I was sent a completely blank invoice - in Microsoft Word, an editable programme - which showed a pathetic attempt on Elsa's part to 'prove' a cancellation policy. This had never been sent to me during the course of my booking. Despite numerous e-mails, including a direct instruction to do so from the AA accreditation board, Elsa has continued to refuse to refund me. I am now pursuing my refund via a legal route, something that will prove incredibly costly for Elsa. Very short-sighted of her to risk her accreditation as well, although to be honest, how she ever got it in the first place is way beyond me. I think the AA are wondering that too, given her behaviour. She seems not to be worried about this pending revoked accreditation though, telling me 'that's okay, I don't need it'. I have just tried to settle it one last time in a sensible manner over the phone, but I was rewarded for my efforts by being called 'stupid' for having paid a deposit and then cancelled. Disgusting woman, who I am incredibly happy not to have had the misfortune of actually meeting. Beware of this place, and if you do book, be sure NOT to pay the deposit, given Elsa's apparently learned theory about people who book, then have to cancel.
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Date of stay: October 2011
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Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Totally agree with reviews from Harolderlston and VaughnG68. We booked via SafariNow and agree - the website is incredibly misleading. It's a nice remote location with lovely weaver birds and an okay pool but that's where the positives end... You can either stay in the dorm or a "luxury" suite - but it is far from luxury - we stayed in January and by 6am the bedroom is like an oven (no AC, just a little fan is provided and we had 3 power cuts), the barfridge's lowest temperature was maybe 12 degrees, the fan in the lounge looked dangerously like it would break off at any second, old tatty sofas, no rubbish bin, TV with only one visible channel, DVD player that sounds like it's in a snow-storm, shower ran out of hot water... but worst of all was the customer service from the onsite manager Elsa... absolute rudeness and lies. We complained that the lodge falsely advertises itself and said we would only stay one night rather than the 3 that we'd booked and paid 50% as a deposit, however she rudely refused to even discuss it with us and told us we could not have the key unless we settled the balance completely. Reluctantly we stayed as it was too much money for us to lose but we did not enjoy the stay. Each time I politely informed her of the problems with our room there was no apology, just rolling of the eyes or a suggestion that it was probably our fault. I spoke to her staff and they told me that both onsite managers treat them quite badly. Please do not patronise this lodge!
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Date of stay: January 2014
Value
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:I wouldn't stay there!
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I have traveled South Africa none stop for the last 3 year and this place was the worst I have stayed. the internet site gives false impression online on how great the place is. My staff member who booked the room was not told that there was a 3km sand road that to be driven on to get to the place and was told its not far from East London and everything was 10 min away, well they need to get their watches fixed. the lady/owner assured my staff it was close to town \, as I was using a rented car and didn't want to clock up unnecessary mileage. but in fact it is outside East London 20 km from where I was after taking the route I sustained stone chips to the hired car. On arrival was advised there was no key for the room and my stuff stood a chance of getting stolen.you cannot drink the water and no good water was in the room, the shower was faulty. when requesting a refund the woman was rude and obnoxious. do not stay there
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Date of stay: November 2013
Value
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Service
Trip type: Travelled on business
Room Tip:do not use them not worth the trouble and arguments after
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
What a total disgrace for a service in South Africa, as a South African myself, I am totally disgusted at the service received from this place. First they put this amazing false impression online on how great the place is etc, obviously, this would appeal to me and anybody interested in a holiday somewhere. As I'm from Port Elizabeth, I didn't know East London at all at the time of the booking and the lady/owner assured me it was close to town but in fact it is outside East London and have to travel via a dirt road to get there, After taking the route, not to say the damages on my car, I was referred to a room where I was completely shocked with the un-hygienic conditions and the fact that the room had mould everywhere as shown in the pic on the lamps. As I was completely diss-appointed and disturbed by my findings,which lead me to requesting a refund and find suitable accommodation, the man/owner started screaming at me and saying I must take my money and [--] off. Not to even mention the intimidation and the verbal abuse. So basically I did not stay the night and the woman then refused to refund my money as they making a living? Something is seriously wrong here and needs to be fixed. They need to be taken off the Eastern Cape Tourism List and closed down. This is an embarrassment for our country and shocked that they can treat visitors like this and just get away with it.....
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Date of stay: March 2013
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Please any guest considering Thornycroft as an accommodation option think twice - your personal belongings are not save - and do not expect any help from the owner either, if something gets stolen.He rather prefers to intimidate you with his political connections than trying to assist you with your stolen possesions.The owners are rude,narrow minded,disgusting in their ability to assist guest with their complaints.The facility is outdated,below standard - the swimming pool however is nice.
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Date of stay: May 2011
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This property is located on the outskirts of the city. It does not have a street address - hard to find! Must drive down narrow dirt lanes to get there. Bathrooms were not up to par. So remote, that we were unable to leave to go for dinner. They did have their own restaurant and Bar - just OK. Not convenient.
Ed Blackmore
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Date of stay: September 2011
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
School team stayed there recently, no electricity and hot water, only given after complaints. Money was given for food when it was stated they will get a meal. Most unfriendly owner, stay away people. Difficult to find on google maps, takes you to a area which shows you must walk through bush. Difficult for a bus to get there, roads are shocking in East london
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Date of stay: July 2019
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled on business
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
There are more places to choose from in the East London area.
PRICE RANGE
R 490 - R 581 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
South AfricaEastern CapeEast London
NUMBER OF ROOMS
11
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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