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sanchefrolich

River Bend review

4.0 of 5 bubblesReviewed 19 Sept 2021
Lovely place, great food. Friendly staff and amazing game drives! For the price as South Africa’s, the rates are rather high and game drives are an extra cost. The rooms need a little upgrade, things like the blind rope broken, very old bathroom tiles. This is just based on other games farms we have been to. Tx
Date of stay: September 2021
3.0 of 5 bubblesValue
3.0 of 5 bubblesRooms
5.0 of 5 bubblesLocation
4.0 of 5 bubblesCleanliness
4.0 of 5 bubblesService
4.0 of 5 bubblesSleep Quality
Review collected in partnership with this hotel
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Debbie Carinus, General Manager at River Bend Lodge, responded to this review
Responded 31 Oct 2021
Hi Sanchefrolich,

Thank you for taking the time to review your stay with us.

I appreciate you taking the time to do so, as this is how we manage to keep a finger on the pulse of our GUESTS and their response to their experiences while they stayed with us.

As you are quite aware we 'stepped in' to assist another Lodge in the area, who due to reasons were not able to honor your booking made with them, you came to stay with us, at the same rate that the other Lodge had quoted you.

We also honored the 2 FREE nights Dinner Bed & Breakfast, that you had won WITH THE OTHER LODGE, then your 3rd night that you extended too, you paid for at a really reduced rate again offered to you by the other Lodge rather than at our 5 star actual rate. And I was very happy to do this to help put the other Lodge, and for GUESTS in general not to have been disappointed at the last minute.....especially with flights booked and paid for.

As such, you had also been quoted on the cost of doing a Game drive, by the other Lodge R1000 pp in all your correspondence, and this is what we then charged you. The other option was to do your own self drives in the Main Addo Camp at no extra charge.

I think you will find it the norm that an All Inclusive rate includes game drives, where a B&B rate or a DB&B rate has additional aspects notes as payable extras.

I am so sorry that you were upset by this and really wish we could have discussed it while you were here.

Yes we are also aware that we have a few maintenance items to sort out this is ongoing, and we will ensure that the blind rope is repaired, again I do wish you had pointed this out to us at the time, be that as it may it will now be fixed.

Unfortunately our tiles will not be changed for a while as we still have 20 staff not working due to COVID and before we spend any large sums of 'older tiles' we are focusing on rather trying to use our cash flow to support 20 families while they have no work, which I am sure you understand. Even converting to solar and new swimming pools are currently on hold.

Again, sincerely Thank you for your review it is appreciated so that this discussion could occur.

Sincerely

Debbie
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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Reviewed 1 September 2021

From the moment we arrived till the moment we left we were treated like royalty
The Room was beautifully decorated and had all amenities required The food was delicious The game drives by Darlington were absolutely awesome , sharing so many facts with enthusiasm and really went the extra mile to show us the wild life & terrain both day & night This resort is definitely an awesome experience a recommended stay

Date of stay: July 2021
    • Sleep Quality
    • Cleanliness
    • Service
Thank jennifersV5421FD
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.
Debbie Carinus, General Manager at River Bend Lodge, responded to this reviewResponded 3 September 2021

Dear JennifersV5421FD,

Thank you so much for taking the time to review your stay with us at Riverbend Lodge.

Darlington is, I agree, an absolute treasure and his manner is just wonderful. The skill he has in tracking is legendary.

Until we see you again do take care and be safe.

Sincerely

Debbie & The RiverBend Lodge team

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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Reviewed 8 July 2021

I had the most wonderful time staying at River Bend. The lodge is situated on a private concession to Addo national park. Even though I was there during the worst drought since over 100 hundred years, I was baffled by the amazing abundance of wildlife, especially birds. In five days I saw no less than 85 birdspecies! This was made possible by the absolutely amazing guide, Chris. His knowledge about wildlife is astounding. He is passionate about what he does and it shows. He does everything he can to make the gamedrives even more impressive and fun than they already are. I learned and saw so much in just a few days, it was incredible.
The lodge does everything to make your experience unforgettable. It is small scaled and personal. For two days I had private game drives. They could have put me in with other guests but they didn’t because they want to tailor to your wishes. I was amazed.
All the staff will do their utmost to tend to your every need and the approach is very personal and kind.
The food was absolutely amazing. The rooms are spacious and very private. They are actually seperate cottages with beautiful views on the surrounding bush. There were zebra grazing just a few meters from my room. And behind the central lodge is a large waterhole that attracts various wildlife. The gardens are beautiful and attract many birds. I saw crowned hornbills and green wood hoopoos from just a few meters away. Amazing photo opportunities!

Date of stay: July 2021
    • Sleep Quality
    • Rooms
    • Service
Thank Barbara B
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.
Debbie Carinus, General Manager at River Bend Lodge, responded to this reviewResponded 9 July 2021

Der BarbaraB,

Thank you so much for taking the time to give us feedback on your stay with us.

Indeed RiverBend is an exquisite gem, and we are so delighted to have been able to share it with you.

Chris, is a wonderful Guide, one of whom we value highly. The Lodge has been blessed to find Guides who believe and carry through the Aim of the owners,...' create an opportunity to awaken a passion for conservation '

Again Thank You so much for your wonderful review, and just to let you know we miss seeing you on your pool lounger, as you sort through your treasure trove of 'phenomenal' photos from the day.

Please do take care and be safe until we see you again.

Sincerely,

Debbie & the RiverBend Lodge Team

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Reviewed 7 July 2021

An incredible experience - we didn’t want to leave!! Debbie was so organized - nothing was ever too much - she accommodated us with our every need! We were made to feel very special. The accommodation, food and staff were amazing. Game drives were BRILLIANT, our absolute highlight was a very special encounter with the elephants. The night drive was magnificent, we stopped for a star gazing treat - it truly was awesome, Chris was a super informative ranger and made every effort to give us the best experience. I can highly recommend a visit to Riverbend, you won’t be disappointed! Side note - every COVID measure was taken into account, super professional!

Date of stay: June 2021
    • Value
    • Location
    • Sleep Quality
    • Rooms
    • Cleanliness
    • Service
Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Thank awilso977793
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.
Debbie Carinus, General Manager at River Bend Lodge, responded to this reviewResponded 9 July 2021

Der awilso977793,

Wow, Thank you so much for your stunning review. It truly means the world to us.

The fact that you loved your stay with us is everything, and it makes all the little bit extra that we do so worthwhile.

Our aim at RiverBend Lodge is to deliver an authentic bush experience where the Guest has the Luxury Of Choice, and that the team met that is wonderful to hear.

Please do take care and be safe during these crazy times.

Sincerely

Debbie & The RiverBend Lodge Team


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Reviewed 27 June 2021

We recently spent three nights at lovely Riverbend Lodge. Debbie and her team were welcoming and professional allowing us a very relaxing weekend with excellent food and comfortable accommodation. Nothing was too much trouble - dinner next to a roaring open fire and special dietary requirements attended to efficiently. Darlington (the resident guide) was top class and we were treated to some lovely sightings expertly tracked by him. Definitely a return visit for us.

Date of stay: June 2021
    • Value
    • Location
    • Sleep Quality
    • Rooms
    • Cleanliness
    • Service
Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Thank robynkipps
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.
Debbie Carinus, General Manager at River Bend Lodge, responded to this reviewResponded 9 July 2021

Dear Robyn,

Thank you so much for taking your time to write a review on your stay with us.

It always means so much to us when our GUESTS love RiverBend as much as we do.

I will pass on to the team your wonderful comments and we sincerely look forward to welcoming you back 'Home' soon.

Please do take care out there, stay safe until we see you again.

Sincerely

Debbie & The RiverBend Lodge Team

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Reviewed 10 June 2021

A wonderful place to stay. Relaxing and beautiful. Cottage chalets, stoeps with stunning views, large bath, outside (and inside) shower, log fires in the lodge, cosy bar, helpful and friendly staff... The game drives are superb and magical, the guides knowledgeable and passionate. The vegetarian cuisine wasn't the best and the single restaurant soundtrack may send you round the bend, but breakfast is sumptuous. I highly recommend staying here, though we couldn't have afforded it in "normal" times. (Be aware that a 7.5% park tax will be added to your bill.)

Date of stay: June 2021
    • Value
    • Location
    • Sleep Quality
    • Rooms
    • Cleanliness
    • Service
Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Thank aduran206661
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.
Debbie Carinus, General Manager at River Bend Lodge, responded to this reviewResponded 14 June 2021

Good Morning aduran206661,

Thank you so very much for taking the time to review River Bend Lodge, and your stay with us. We sincerely take note of every comment and find all feedback to be constructive.

I have since your stay been working on the Vegetarian dishes that were served to you and have added to our options there as well. So thank you again for your feedback at the Lodge as well.

Oh my gosh - i am so sorry that the tape was not changed up, this was an absolute oversight on our behalf, as we have so may options to play. This has been addressed with the team and it is now a wonderful variety again.

Please do take care, and we would love to see you again and WOW you with our Veggie meals.

Sincerely

Debbie & The River Bend Lodge Team

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