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Kurland Estate spans 700 hectares with gardens, polo fields and sweeping views. Kurland has transitioned from a hotel to an exclusive-use private estate rental, which means we no longer operate with traditional hotel services such as a reception, onsite restaurant, on-demand staff, or in-room amenities. Kurland’s beauty lies in its vast, unspoiled surroundings, spacious accommodations, and rich history. We offer private rental of the 14-bedroom Homestead and 5-bedroom Villa. Our onsite spa is open to the public.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to TGCSA - Tourism Grading Council of South Africa.
We were very pleased with ourselves for stumbling across the gem that is Kurland Villa. Positioned in the heart of the Kurland Estate, the setting was perfect: tranquil and beautiful with mountains, lake and a direct view of the sunset. It certainly offers a special chance to kick back and relax.
Peter is a generous host who welcomed us into their beautiful family home, designed in country house style by his talented wife. The style is sumptuous yet comfortable and we were encouraged to relax and make ourselves feel at home (which, very soon, we wished it was!). Peter, and his wonderful housekeeper Brenda, did a splendid job of looking after us - striking the balance of being present whilst giving us our space. The breakfasts and home cooked dinners were wholesome and delicious - Peter does a great Braai if wanted. We really hope to get back next year and can only highly recommend others go too.
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Date of stay: February 2022Trip 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.
Response from Peter Behr, Owner at Kurland Hotel
Responded 01 Mar 2022
Thank you for your compliments Nicola. It’s most appreciated. See you next year hopefully.
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We rented a room for three nights. Peter, the host, was fantastically welcoming. The house and grounds are beautiful and the perfect place to relax.
We have breakfast and dinner in the villa, both of which were sumptuous and brilliantly appointed. Peter recommended some great places and restaurants to visit in the local area and couldn't have been more helpful.
Thoroughly recommend!
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Date of stay: March 2022
Location
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Response from Peter Behr, Owner at Kurland Hotel
Responded 06 Mar 2022
Thanks for your compliments Luke and Debs! I’m glad you enjoyed it and look forward to seeing you both again soon
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Spent Easter weekend at this unique estate. The homestead is set within walking distance of the stables and polo fields, yet entirely separate. The rooms are spacious and elegantly appointed. The food is to die for; probably to die from, given the abundance of the good stuff like butter and cream. The service is unobtrusive but ready when needed The total experience feeds the soul.
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Date of stay: April 2022Trip 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.
Somewhat of a mixed bag. The setting, a beautiful estate, is fabulous, especially if you are a horse lover. Great cozy British country atmosphere that exudes old world charm, with fires going on at all times everywhere, including on the outside terrace, when the weather gets a little cold. Said terrace is a treat, with several wonderful sitting areas in which a whole family can gather to enjoy drinks or have tea. Other common areas are also very welcoming and full of charm. The personnel is extremely nice and serviceable. However, and this is one of the downsides, despite all of the staff's goodwill, service is extremely slow, half-hazard and somewhat unprofessional, especially at mealtimes. Meals can be very hit or miss and protracted affairs, with lots of waiting between courses and occasional mistakes. By western standards, the staff has clearly not had any real training for this kind of work; it is plentiful but somewhat inefficient. Things are brought out or cleared one piece at a time, in what sometimes seems random fashion. On one occasion my two eggs were brought out one at a time, at five minutes interval. Generally, you do get the feeling the staff would do anything to accommodate you, but sadly requests are sometimes not followed-up on, and you end up wandering about trying to get hold of someone for an answer. Another thing is the fact that certain areas or even rooms are somewhat run-down. The pool is not very clean, the lounge chairs are in a sorry state, the tiling and painting in certain areas is decaying, the carpet in the room was old and dirty, and some spots (patios, for instance), have a somewhat abandoned feel to them. Also, the lighting seriously needs to be revamped. At present it is hodgepodge of old lights/chandeliers with inconsistent led lightbulbs – some almost dead and giving extremely low light, others a bright, glaring and cold bright –, generally making for somewhat depressing lighting. On a minor note, the fact that the advertised quads were not available was a disappointment (they were said to be under maintenance, which is surprising in the middle of Christmas season). All in all, an enjoyable place to stay in for sure, but in need of adjustments and freshening to make it a truly 5 star hotel.
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Date of stay: December 2019
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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 DDHowell38, General Manager at Kurland Hotel
Responded 17 Feb 2020
Dear FreddyAppollo Thank you for taking the time to write this review. All your points have been noted with interest. We hope that when you next visit, Kurland will be up to standard. Kind regards, Diana Howell GENERAL MANAGER
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This beautiful homestead, that is now a hotel, offers a really special and intimate experience, the food we had was beautifully presented and tasted even better. The staff were attentive, friendly and highly efficient. If you are looking for fine dining, in a magnificent setting, this restaurant ticks all the boxes!
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Date of stay: February 2020Trip 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.
Response from DDHowell38, General Manager at Kurland Hotel
Responded 17 Feb 2020
Dear Kira-Plett1 We are delighted that you enjoyed your experience with us at Kurland and appreciate you taking the time to write this review. It is always such a pleasure to welcome new and regular clientele and we hope to see you again soon. Kind regards, Diana Howell GENERAL MANAGER
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This property consistently gets very good reviews from those who stay there, and I accept it may well deserve them. I didn't actually get to stay there, and this is a warning to those who might need to cancel. The hotel requires 100% prepayment to secure a booking. Unusual, but I can live with it. The trouble started when I canceled (several months before deadline) and asked for my money back. And asked again. And again. I have not had the courtesy of a response to any of my emails or faxes. Clearly there is a management failing at best, and at worst perhaps a policy of "go slow, we've got the money". I've had to take it up with my credit card company. Beware.
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Date of stay: April 2013Trip 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.
The hotel is quite old. It is charming, but you can see and smell the ageing quite well. Our room was big and nice, but the terrace was a disaster. It had not been cleaned for ages and the furniture was old with dirty or no cushions at all. The water in our pool did not look clean. Except for the dining room service, service and attitude here is not as elsewhere in South Africa. Even to get us to Plettenberg Bay and back seemed to be difficult for the staff. We finally had to rent a car, which made it easy for us to leave the place earlier than planned. The mountain bikes were in a terrible condition. We were unable to find two useable ones. But the evenings in the main building were great: Cosy atmosphere with many fireplaces, excellent service, very good food, and a nice wine list. They were also keen to show us around on the big property, which is beautiful and excellent for walks.
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Date of stay: April 2009
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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.
My wife and I have traveled for a month a year for the last 5 years. This year was Africa. We used a company called Africa Safari Consultants in Montecito, CA. They recommended Kurland at The Crags, just East of Plettenberg Bay on the Indian Ocean. This is a Polo Ranch that is owned by one of the financial people for the Oppenheimer family (think diamonds). They have 12 cottages that are amazing. We were there in September and were the only people there. In November, the start of the polo season, it's a different story. If you are in the Garden Route outside of the polo season, this is a wonderful place. I thought I was in the Presedential Suite of the White House!
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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've stayed at Kurland several times over the past decade and it is without doubt our favourite hotel in the world and that's no mean feat as we've travelled extensively and my wife's a hotelier! This place has class and is a fantastic place to chill out during a trip to beautiful SA. Can't say enough about the staff either as they've all been super from the moment we've arrived to when leaving. Our daughter has loved staying here too from the first time when she was only 2 right up to 8 and if you stay at Easter prepare for the best Easter Sunday breakfast you'll ever have! Don't miss the polo either as it's great fun driving up on the quads and spending the afternoon watching all the action whilst sipping a drink! We hope to return again in the not too distant future!
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Date of stay: May 2010
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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.
Kurland is in a beautiful setting, has great facilities and good rooms. We were able to take a horse ride at no additional charge, and quad bikes too were available. Nice pool, large rooms and bathrooms and a pleasant 'homey' feel. Lovely breakfast under the trees. But this was our most expensive stay, and, for this price, I would have expected a slicker performance. The waiting at the evening meal was confused (waiters on top of one another, a dirty spoon stuck to the table cloth taken away when I made a complaint - but not replaced, soup spoons left for desert), one of the safes didn't work, two doors in one of our rooms only shut when slammed hard, chaps for riding had broken zips and the hats had broken clips. All that could easily be improved with an engaged, competent manager. It was exceptionally warm, we were told, and the lack of aircon told. Wifi patchy.
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Date of stay: December 2015
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
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 Kurland, General Manager at Kurland Hotel
Responded 26 Feb 2016
Greetings from Kurland Dear dmashala Thank you for taking the time to review your stay with us. Your constructive comments have been well received and taken very seriously. With our continual strive for perfection, we will endeavour to ensure that all issues are rectified. Sincerely, Diana
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There are more places to choose from in the Plettenberg Bay area.
ALSO KNOWN AS
kurland hotel plettenberg bay
LOCATION
South AfricaWestern CapePlettenberg Bay
NUMBER OF ROOMS
24
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